Do you need a passport to drive through the texas-mexico border and back?

Question

a few friends and i want to drive from san antonio texas to cancun in mexico for spring break and we are wondering if we need passports or if valid texas drivers licenses or school IDs will be good enough to get into mexico and more importantly back into the USA when we are done. anyone know? no guesses please

Answer 1

Yes, go to

travel.state.gov/passport/

Answer 2

Not only do you need passports, but you need a vehicle importation permit.  You can do it online through the banamex/banjercito website and get it within 3 to 4 days in the mail.  But even more important is that once you cross the border, you go to the Mexican Aduana office (I'm guessing you're going through Laredo) and claim yourself as U.S. citizens (only if you are U.S. citizens) and pay whatever nominal fee they charge.  This helps because if anything goes wrong, you have the US embassy's help.  

Also recommended is for you to register your trip with the US State Department.  They notify you and get you out of there if there is an emergency.

Answer 3

Yes.....seem to need it everywhere now.

Answer 4

That is a LONG way to drive in a foreign country, way down into the Yucatan.  Have you LOOKED at a map???  Roads are NOT going to be what you are accustomed to in the US, and God help you if you are in an accident.  

I would suggest you get a passport and look for a tour group like Vacation Express, Apple Vacations, Funjet, etc.  You do not yet need a passport to drive across the border & back but effective Jan 31 2008 you need a gov't issued (drivers license not school-issued) photo ID and a CERTIFIED copy of your birth certificate, check out the official US Gov't website:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbp...