Cars and Driving

Road signs in Mexico follow international standards, and drivers follow international driving rules. (Red, yellow and white signs indicate caution, stops, crosswalks, turns allowed, and speed limits.) Blue and green signs indicate location and directions. Stoplights are usually on the right side or suspended above the road. A green arrow usually indicates when a turn is allowed when turning at a stoplight. Right turns are allowed at stoplights unless otherwise indicated.

Parking signs determine parking limit (where a parking space begins and ends); they also indicate where cars may be towed. There is generally no charge for parking spaces unless it is a private parking lot.

Gas stations marked "PEMEX" can easily be found in cities, roads and highways. The three different types of gas are "magna sin" (unleaded), diesel, and leaded. One usually pays in cash; however, one can also pay with a credit card (or use special coupons provided through some employers).

Although there are signs indicating pedestrian and school crossings, drivers seldom respect these rules. The safer way to cross streets is to go to a stoplight and wait until it is safe to cross. In Mexico City, some stoplights also indicate when pedestrians can cross. If there is no stoplight, pedestrians must cross when there are relatively few cars or look for one of the bridges that are sometimes provided to cross wide avenues.

Asking for a ride is common and if one has friends with a car, that person will usually take everyone home after going out at night.