Expat motorists who get pulled over by traffic police on the outskirts of Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec are not being targeted because they look like foreigners, but rather due to the detection of flagrant violations of Jalisco transit laws, according to staff at the regional office of the state’s Secretaria de Movilidad (Semov).
Frequent spot checks being carried out along the stretch of highway between the west end of Ajijic and the Jocotepec city limits are operated by a team of Semov officers sent out from the agency’s headquarters in Guadalajara, local officials report. The equal opportunity enforcers are looking out for drivers and passengers who aren’t wearing seat belts, motorcyclists riding without helmets, any vehicles without clearly visible license tags, those seen emitting pollutants into the atmosphere and Jalisco-plated ones lacking current emissions verification stickers (hologramas).
Once drivers are waved down, officers may ask to see their driving permits and requisite vehicle documents such as current registration (tarjeta de circulación) and proof of an insurance policy.
In the case of cars and trucks with foreign plates, the driver could be asked to show valid immigration papers accrediting visitor or temporary resident status. Spouses, offspring, parents and siblings of the person holding a temporary import permit are allowed to drive foreign-plated vehicles, regardless of their nationality or immigration status.
For most violations, officers will issue the corresponding traffic ticket (folio). Circumstances under which vehicles may be subject to towing and impoundment include circulating without license plates or with tags that have been altered, partially or fully obstructed or superimposed. They may also be confiscated if spotted spewing smoke.
When cars and trucks registered in Jalisco are not up-to-date on smog checks, the driver will be slapped with a ticket. The fine will be waived for owners who taker their cars for testing to an accredited agency, garage or workshop and submit proof at the nearest Semov office within 15 working days. The Chapala area’s regional branch is located on Calle Flavio Romero at the corner of Guerrero, open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.