🚗 Driver License Mexicali 2026
Apply for or renew your driver license by appointment in Baja California
🗓️ Schedule a License Appointment
MANDATORY ONLINE APPOINTMENT
Schedule your appointment before going to the offices
Important:
- Choose the procedure (issuance, revalidation, replacement or permanent-license update), office and time
- No walk-ins without a prior appointment
- Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment
🚗 Available License Types
Licenses for Private Use
DRIVER
(Private Use)
Cars and family pickups
Age: 18+ years (16-17 with special permit)
MOTORCYCLIST
Motorcycles of any engine size
Age: 18+ years (16-17 with special permit)
MINOR PERMIT
(16-17 years)
Maximum validity 1 year
Guardian present + responsibility letter
Commercial Licenses (Chauffeur)
🚛 CHAUFFEUR TYPE A
Tractor-trailers and intercity buses
$2,112 (single fee for A, B and D)
🚛 CHAUFFEUR TYPE B
Urban passenger buses
$2,112 (single fee for A, B and D)
🚛 CHAUFFEUR TYPE C
Light commercial vehicles
$1,281 (3 years) / $1,708 (5 years)
🚛 CHAUFFEUR TYPE D
Taxis and rental vehicles
$2,112 (single fee for A, B and D)
📋 Requirements to Process Your License
Basic Documents (All Licenses)
- Scheduled prior appointment (mandatory)
- Valid official ID: INE, passport, professional ID (cédula), consular ID or military card (original and copy)
- Proof of address in your name, no older than 3 months (not needed if your INE shows your current address)
- Medical certificate from a public or private institution (if you don't bring one, the office has a medical area)
- Fee payment: cash, certified check or debit/credit card (no American Express)
- Vehicle for the road test, matching your license type, with a valid registration card (original and copy)
Mandatory Tests
🧠 THEORY TEST
- • Knowledge of road safety education
- • BC traffic regulations
- • Road signs
🚗 ROAD TEST
- • Driving test with an evaluator
- • Basic maneuvers and parking
- • Compliance with regulations
- • Bring a vehicle in good condition
How to Get Your License?
New License (First Time)
⏱️ Estimated time: 30-45 minutes
Renewal (Revalidation)
📅 WHEN TO RENEW
- • From 90 days before expiration
- • If it has already expired you can still renew, with a surcharge (see below)
📋 DOCUMENTS TO RENEW
- • Expired or soon-to-expire license (original and copy); if you lost it, official ID
- • Proof of address only if you moved
- • Medical certificate only if you are 60 or older (chauffeurs: always, plus a drug test)
💰 REVALIDATION COSTS (OCTOBER 2026)
- • 3 years: $996.48
- • 5 years: $1,328.64
Replacement for Loss/Theft
📄 REQUIREMENTS
- • Theft or loss report filed with the Public Prosecutor (Hacienda may accept another document for some loss cases)
- • Valid official ID (original and copy)
- • October 2026 cost: $858.00, plus municipal contributions
💰 License Costs (October 2026)
Monthly cost published by the Baja California Secretaría de Hacienda. The 2026 Ley de Ingresos sets the base fee and Hacienda updates it every month, so it may rise a few pesos in November. Data verified on October 21, 2026.
Official Fees (New Issuance)
DRIVER / MOTORCYCLIST
CHAUFFEUR TYPE C (Light Commercial)
CHAUFFEUR A/B/D (Public/Heavy Transport)
MINOR PERMIT (16-17 years)
Revalidation Costs and Other Procedures
📋 REVALIDATION (Renewal)
- • Driver/Motorcyclist 3 years: $996.48
- • Driver/Motorcyclist 5 years: $1,328.64
- • Chauffeur C 3 years: $1,154.88 · 5 years: $1,539.84
- • Chauffeur A, B and D: $1,986.14
- • Minor aged 16 to 18: $672.77
📋 OTHER PROCEDURES
- • Replacement (theft, loss or data change): $858.00
- • Permanent license update: $858.00
- • Provisional driver, motorcyclist or chauffeur C (up to 9 months): $961.73
- • License cancellation: $388.34 (2026 Ley base fee; with the monthly update it may be a few pesos more)
Note: The validity (and therefore the cost) is adjusted in proportion to your birthday, so the total may vary slightly. Municipal contributions are added to replacements. If your license has expired, the 2026 Ley charges an extra on top of the issuance cost: 25% up to one year expired, 50% up to two, 75% up to three and 100% after more than three years. The final amount is confirmed at the cashier.
⚠️ Permanent License: Mandatory Update
IMPORTANT FOR PERMANENT LICENSES
If you have a permanent driver license, you must go to Recaudación de Rentas every 5 years, counted from its original issuance, to update your data and photo. It keeps its permanent status.
🚨 Consequence of NOT updating:
If you do not update within 3 months after the 5 years are reached, your license will LOSE its permanent status and will no longer be valid.
📅 Deadline to update:
- • Calculated as: issuance date + 5 years
- • You have a maximum of 3 months after that date
- • Requires an appointment ("Actualización de datos licencia permanente")
💰 Update cost (October 2026):
- • $858.00 (same fee as a replacement)
- • Bring your permanent license and official ID
- • Proof of address only if you are changing it
🎯 Discounts in Effect in 2026
Young drivers, seniors and other cases
YOUNG DRIVERS: LICENCIA JOVEN
- • First license: 100% off at ages 16 and 17, 50% off from 18 to 20
- • Requirement: certificate from the free "Licencia Joven" road-safety workshop (BC Youth Institute) and CURP; minors need parental or guardian authorization
- • The certificate can be used for the discount until December 31, 2026
- • 2026 workshop registration closed on June 15; if you missed it, ask whether a new call will open
SENIORS, RETIREES AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
- • In July 2026 the Secretaría de Hacienda said it keeps a 50% discount for seniors on plates, licenses and registration cards for private vehicles
- • Example: about $748 instead of $1,497 (5 years, October cost)
- • Bring your INAPAM card or official ID. Confirm before you go at (686) 900-9091: we could not find the decree with requirements and end date
- • Retirees, pensioners and people with disabilities: no official 2026 confirmation found for licenses; ask at the counter
PRIORITY ATTENTION
- • The online appointment is required for every license procedure
- • Ask at the counter about priority service (seniors, pregnant women, people with disabilities)
- • If you don't bring a medical certificate, the office has a medical area
📍 Where to Apply in Mexicali?
Recaudación de Rentas Offices (BC Secretaría de Hacienda)
CENTRO CÍVICO OFFICE
(Main)
GUADALUPE VICTORIA MODULE
(Valley)
CIUDAD MORELOS MODULE
(Valley)
GONZÁLEZ ORTEGA OFFICE
(New, opened July 2026)
📊 Important Procedure Facts
Can It Be Done Online?
❌ NOT completely - Physical presence is required for:
- • Photo and fingerprint capture
- • Theory and road tests
- • Biometric capture
✅ YES partially:
- • Book, check or cancel your appointment (mandatory)
- • Check requirements and the monthly cost on the official sheet
- • Carry your license on your phone (Identidad Digital BC app)
Identidad Digital BC App
📱 After getting your physical license, download the app:
- • Identidad Digital BC, the official app of the Government of BC
- • You sign up with your CURP and contact details
- • You load your license and registration card and view them in digital format
- • It is a digital representation: carry your physical license too
What Changed in 2026
- ⚠️ Monthly cost: the 2026 Ley de Ingresos fee is updated every month (driver 3 years: $1,095.62 in the Ley, $1,122.65 in October)
- ⚠️ New office in González Ortega (Calle Cuarta & Río Bravo) since July 2026
- ⚠️ Expired license: +25% up to 1 year, +50% up to 2, +75% up to 3 and +100% after more than 3 years
- ⚠️ Permanent licenses: mandatory update every 5 years
- 📅 What about 2027? The 2027 state Ley de Ingresos has not been published yet (it is usually approved in December); costs may change starting in January
💡 Tips for a Successful Procedure
Preparing for the Tests
📚 THEORY TEST
- • Study the BC Traffic Regulations
- • Memorize the main traffic signs
- • Know the basic fines and penalties
🚗 ROAD TEST
- • Practice parallel parking
- • Master the use of mirrors and turn signals
- • Respect speed limits
- • Bring a vehicle in good condition
The Day of the Procedure
- Arrive 15 minutes early
- Bring original documents AND copies
- Dress appropriately for the photo
- Avoid caps or sunglasses
- Vehicle in good condition with a valid registration card
- Payment methods: cash, certified check, debit or credit card (no American Express)
📞 Need Help? Contact Recaudación de Rentas
Phone Support
📞 DIRECT LICENSE LINE
Centro Cívico: (686) 558-1000 ext. 5901
Single service number: (686) 900-9091
🕐 Centro Cívico: Mon-Fri 7:00-17:00, Sat 8:00-13:00
Official Portals
🌐 APPOINTMENTS: citas.ebajacalifornia.gob.mx
🌐 REQUIREMENTS AND COSTS: retys.bajacalifornia.gob.mx
🌐 INFORMATION: bajacalifornia.gob.mx
🌐 DIGITAL IDENTITY: bajacalifornia.gob.mx/Innovacion/Identidad_Digital
Official Procedure Sheets
BC Secretaría de Hacienda (in Spanish). Data checked on October 21, 2026.