Claudette Beauregard and Helen Marie Krustev (right) were among the few English-speaking clients who were able to acquire Jalisco driver permits issued from the itinerant Secretaria de Movilidad (SeMov) module set up in Chapala on Friday, June 24.
Formal notice that the service was coming to town went out less than 24 hours ahead of time. Nonetheless, a throng of people showed up at the site from 7 a.m. to get in line. The two expats were lucky to get a tip-off the previous day when they went to the local state tax office to pay their license renewal fees prior to heading into Guadalajara early this week to deal with the bureaucratic task.
Scores of renewals were issued during the first two hours. Candidates for new licenses were delayed as long as six hours in submitting paperwork, taking the written exam and proving the ability fasten a seat belt, adjust mirrors and parallel park between four rubber cones which makes up the “driving” test.
The official in charge of the traveling license unit revealed that 200 permits were issued in the course of the day. He indicated that the service would be offered again in four weeks. Contact city councilor Alberto Alcantar Medeles at City Hall to put your names on a waiting list.