Anyone handled an expired vehicle permit at San Emeterio?

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BajaTaco

Guest
Hello everyone, this is my first post. :geek: In typical newbie fashion, I have a question. (I searched first, but no luck.)

I'm wondering if anyone has had to deal with an expired vehicle permit lately, and what your experience was. Furthermore, has anyone done this at the San Emeterio station located south of Sonoyta on Hwy 2 (the road to Caborca)? Here it is on Google Maps. I'll be driving the same vehicle that has the expired permit (it expired in July). I also have an expired FMT, but I'm not planning on doing anything with that (if you think otherwise, please speak up). My understanding is that technically, the vehicle could be confiscated if I'm caught driving it, and if I manage to make it to the station and turn it in, I will have to pay a fine based on how many days(?) it is expired. True?

Thanks, and if there is anything I can offer in return as far as info goes, I will try to help. I'm no expert, but have done a few backcountry trips in Sonora. I was in RP earlier this year, with the Mayor of Prescott, AZ who was delivering and dedicating a new ambulance to the FD. It was a great visit, and a great ceremony. I have a blog with some photos here.
 
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lagrimas85

AKA Carnac
The fmt could be a problem but I dont think you need the vehicle permit in the north end of Sonora until you reach the town of Enpalme. I took my boat to Presa Novillo to fish for bass (east of Hermosillo) without a permit and then followed the Rio Sonora route to Canonea and then crossed the border at Naco and was never asked at any checkpoints for a vehicle permit but I was asked for my fmt.
 
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BajaTaco

Guest
Thank you for the reply. To clarify: I know I don't need a vehicle permit to travel this area, but the problem is that I have one that is expired from some previous trips this year, and I want to return it before any more time passes. Since I am doing a trip to the RP area anyway, I figured I'd try to handle it at the Emeterio station - that is the closest listed site for a Banjercito.
 
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lagrimas85

AKA Carnac
There used to be an office in Sonoyta but I have no idea if it is still there. When you cross the border you might ask if it can still be handled in Sonoyta. There is still a sign on the hiway from RP to sonoyta telling foreigners where to return there car permits.
 
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BajaTaco

Guest
hmmm - I'll bet the sign is referring to the somewhat remote San Emeterio checkpoint which is not too far from Sonoyta, but unfortunately not on the way to Rocky Point. Thanks for the suggestion though, I will try to find out.
 
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PitiquitoRosy

Guest
If you were here with Marlin, then maybe we can get you some help in advance so you don't hit any snags...email me at [email protected] I can let them know you're wanting to take care of this and smooth it out for you before you get here. When are you planning the trip? Marlin says all his friends get their Mexico insurance from me online...is he telling the truth?
 
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BajaTaco

Guest
Hello folks, I just wanted to follow up on this and let everyone know how things went. I did get a little advice from PitiquitoRosy (thank you!) and made the detour over to the checkpoint station at Rancho San Emeterio. The drive was nice, short, and the rugged, low mountains you pass along the way are geo-spectacular. They are doing a lot of road work and widening the highway so we had a couple minor detours into the dirt. The new, wide pavement that is finished so far is nice and smooth.

As you approach the station, the Banjercito is housed in a small booth on the left side of the driveway as you are approaching the covered inspection area and main building. It's on the left before you actually get to the main inspection area. I stopped and talked to the gentlemen who was manning the booth. He spoke a little English, and I spoke enough Spanish that we had a discussion without much trouble. I handed him my permit paper. I took Rosy's advice and explained that I had to leave Mexico abruptly earlier this year due to an injury while on my trip, and I couldn't take the time to stop and turn in my vehicle permit. I apologized and also mentioned that I was from Prescott, AZ and had come down on another trip this year with the Mayor to deliver an ambulance to our ciudad companero, Puerto Penasco. He really didn't talk much, but handed me the razor-blade tool so I could remove the holograph decal from my windshield, which I did, and returned the decal to him. He asked if I needed a new permit (I did not, as we were only visiting the hassle-free zone for a few days) and then told me I was free to go on my way, to which I replied with a hearty thank-you. All in all, it was about a 30 minute detour, as there was only one car in front of me that I had to wait for. I was able to exit the driveway without going through the main checkpoint by making a left turn just past the booth onto a steep ramp that climbed back up onto the main road surface, allowing me to "u-turn" back to Sonoyta without going through the checkpoint. The couple in front of me were in a small BMW and just simply turned around and went back out the one-way driveway, as the ramp was a little too steep for their liking.

A side note: I brought my mom on this trip and she hadn't been into Mexico in probably 35 years. I talked her into getting a passport so she could make a special journey with me and see the country, the people, and the beach once again. I'm really proud of her for making the trip and being a real trooper (she has some challenging health issues) . We camped on the beach for three days and nights, and she loved it. Here are a couple photos from the trip:



 
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