Earlier this week police officers were called upon to remove a vehicle from an Official Measurement Center of the Responsible Verification Program.
Personnel of the center in the Guadalajara area who were working on a vehicle being tested detected that the paperwork for the vehicle was not valid for that vehicle. Management from the site alerted authorities, and by order of the Public Ministry, the vehicle was promptly removed. An investigation has already begun to identify the persons responsible for the falsified paperwork.
Since the start of the Responsible Verification Program, several incidents of falsified paperwork, certificates, and badges, and the illegal sales of certificates and badges, have been discovered by the state of Jalisco. The State Prosecutor’s Office, Secretary of State Security, and SEMADET have coordinated to promptly monitor and investigate these crimes.
The falsification of official documents is a criminal offense, so the penalty for convicted persons ranges from 2 to 6 years in prison for whoever produces, distributes, or carries falsified documents, as well as the withdrawal from circulation of the vehicle. It is recommended that you look over your vehicle documents to make sure everything is current and available for inspection.
You should also know that insurance is required when driving in Mexico, and a policy in Canada or the U.S. will not cover you here in Mexico. Also, the original factura from when a motorized vehicle was purchased new must remain with the car for its' life, and signed off on the back by every subsequent seller. For a complete list of vehicular requirements, and how to get help if your papers are not in order, visit the website:
http://www.soniadiaz.mx/vehicles.html
In the event that establishments or persons involved in falsified paperwork or promoting the sale of illicit certificates are detected, citizens are asked to report to the competent authorities, in this case, to the Jalisco State Prosecutor's Office at the telephone number 333 837 6000.
Citizens are called upon to contribute to the proper functioning of the Responsible Verification Program. For the citizens of Puerto Vallarta, a verification station is still under construction, so the program is not yet enforced in this area. It is, however, in Guadalajara, and it is requested that you get a vehicle pass if you plan to be in that area. For more information on the pass, you can visit the (Spanish) website:
https://verificacionresponsable.jalisco.gob.mx/tramites/#pase-de-estancia-temporal
For information on obtaining the required certificate and badge, including a map of verification sites, or to make an appointment, you can visit the (Spanish) website: http://verificacionresponsable.jalisco.gob.mx