If you are one of those folks who tote around color copies of their Jalisco driver’s permits, do yourself a favor. Tear it up and toss it in the trash.
Pay heed to the cautionary tale of long-time lakeside resident and local good Samaritan Arnie Mogseth, who got himself into some hot water this week when he went into the Chapala SVT traffic department to turn in his expiring license for a renewal. The officer on duty immediately spotted the document as a copy. Although it was encased in plastic coating similar to the real thing, it lacked the hologram seals that appear on originals.
The Reporter happened to be interviewing new SVT commandant Alberto Alvarez Ahumada when the copied license was brought to his desk. As he flashed his own license for comparison, he sternly advised Mogseth that he could be subject to arrest and prosecution on charges of forgery.
The shaken expatriate was escorted to the waiting area where he sweated it out for more than an hour until SVT staff verified that he had indeed been issued a legitimate license at the agency’s office in Ocotlan.
Relieved to be off the hook, Mosgeth later dug up the original license that he had stashed away at home. He explained that the duplicate was made by a well-known local facilitator who aids foreigners in getting through government red tape. He did not realize that using it qualified as a criminal offense.
To avoid legal troubles, persons who want to keep copies of official government documents as a backup in case of loss or theft are advised to make only black-and- white photostats. In some instances those that are duly notarized may pass muster with the authorities. Alvarez said that is the case for temporary vehicle importation permits, as long as both sides of the paper are duplicated. However, on routine stops for traffic violation, no substitute for the original driver’s permit is acceptable.