Renting a car in Cancún, Mexico as a Canadian: licence, insurance and roads

Your licence

Rental companies accept a licence from your country of residence plus a passport (Hertz Mexico, for example). The Government of Canada advises that you should also carry an International Driving Permit.

Hertz Mexico rents to drivers aged 18 and up. Drivers aged 18 to 24 pay an extra young-driver fee. You need a Visa, Mastercard or American Express in the renter's name.

Only CAA issues International Driving Permits in Canada. It costs $32 including tax, lasts one year, and is only valid with your Canadian licence.

Insurance: what to check

• Mexican liability insurance is mandatory, and Canadian car insurance is not valid in Mexico. The Government of Canada recommends full coverage, including legal assistance.
• Canadian credit-card rental coverage does not include third-party liability, so it can't replace the mandatory Mexican liability insurance.
• Very cheap online rental rates for Mexico often leave out the mandatory liability insurance, which is added at the counter.
• Without Mexican liability insurance, you could be kept from leaving the country after an accident until all parties are compensated. Being under the influence or not having a valid licence voids your insurance.

Roads, tolls and parking

• Toll highways, marked with a 'D' after the number, are usually safer and better maintained than secondary highways. Use toll roads and highways only.
• Rural roads can have unmarked construction, speed bumps, abandoned vehicles, potholes, sharp curves and stray livestock.
• The military and federal police run checkpoints. Never drive through a checkpoint without stopping, even if it looks unattended.

Staying safe on the road

• Road safety is poor throughout Mexico and fatal accidents are frequent. Police don't strictly enforce traffic laws or regularly patrol highways.
• Avoid driving after dark, fill your tank before you set out, use busy rest stops and gas stations, and keep doors and windows locked.
• A traffic accident can lead to serious legal trouble, including detention and having your vehicle seized until fault is decided and fines are paid. You must report any accident to police.
• Illegal roadblocks are common. Always stop at roadblocks, and if criminals threaten you, stay calm and do not resist.