Despite dire warnings of sanctions set to take effect in January, the Jalisco state government has relented and granted an extension (prórroga) for vehicle owners who have failed to exchange their license plates during 2025.
The deadline for the obligatory switch for three types of outdated Jalisco plates was due to expire on December 31. According to reports, around 300,000 car owners have yet to complete the process, which is carried out in person at tax collection offices (recaudadoras) throughout Jalisco.
This amnesty allows vehicle owners to schedule plate exchange appointments in the first three months of 2026 without facing penalties, provided they present proof of payment for the annual vehicle license fee (refrendo) and an official emissions verification inspection certificate—for those who require one. This refers to drivers in the Guadalajara metro area, plus those in some other urban areas (*see below), but not Lakeside. A vehicle does not need to have passed the test to complete the exchange process.
The new schedule is as follows: January for plates ending in 1, 2, 3 and 4; February for 5, 6, 7 and 8; and March for 7, 8, 9 and 0.
Because of the backlog, car owners are urged to book their appointments as soon as possible.
To take advantage of the state’s 3x1 package (refrendo, emissions inspection and new plates) costing 900 pesos, visit refrendo.jalisco.gob.mx. All necessary appointments can be scheduled from this site.
Payment of the refrendo fee can also be made in person at any of Jalisco’s 135 recaudadoras (see a list at hacienda.jalisco.go.mx/recaudadoras).
Appointments for emissions inspections can only be made online at verificacionresponsable.jalisco.gob.mx.
* Inspections are obligatory only for cars cirsulating in these regions of Jalisco: All municipalities of the Guadalajara metropolitan area (Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque, Tonalá, Zapopan, Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, Juanacatlán, El Salto, Tlajomulco, San Pedro and Zapotlanejo), in addition to Ocotlán, Jamay, Poncitlán, Zapotlán El Grande, Gomez Farías, Zapotiltic, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Puerto Vallarta and Lagos de Moreno.