Emission Police Check

Yesterday there were at least 6 police stopping everyone to check for a valid emission sticker at El Chante. They said there were also taking cars but they let me keep my car. The fine is 1400 pesos but with check documentation and all auto registration at the licence office, the fine is waived. Does anyone know whether the Chapala emissions check is open today? Thanks

Taking your car for not having an emission sticker is complete BS. That sounds like a shake down and scam.

Like CanuckBob said, they don't take your car should you not have a up-to-date emission sticker. But that would be a good statement to say to a newbie to try get a bigger bribe.

It would have worked on me when I first got here. :)

If the fine is waived if you get the inspection, how is it a shakedown?
Unless, of course, you offer to pay the transito direct.
$400 for the inspection (plus a little time), $1400 ($700 if paid in 7 days) for the fine...seems easy to figure out

Telling them that their car "could be confiscated" when in fact it couldn't be seems like they are fishing for a bribe. No?

As a side note....when I am out and about I look at vehicles to see if they have emission stickers. About 1 out of 10 has one...……..

Obviously he didn't offer a mordida, or did he?, and that's why he got to keep his vehicle, as he is looking for an inspection garage today.
Which was it was OP?

Sounds like a kind of coulda, woulda, shoulda

If this happened in Chante, then they would have had to be Joco tránsitos. I wasn't aware they had any. Or was it our guys doing a little moonlighting for easy newbies?

I agree with Bob. So, OP, did they ask for money or did you give them any?

First of all, I'm really not a newbie. After 8 years, I have learned from much experience when to tip, how much to tip, and when not to tip police. These guys were not from here. Too smart and too young. I did see other cars being picked up and taken to Chapala so the wise person who said it was only a shakedown threat was wrong.
We get to keep our car largely because I swore when looking for my papers and the cop laughed. somehow we were almost friends after that.

Those cars were impounded for other reasons then. They can't impound for "no emission sticker".... I imagine they can impound for "no insurance" or "no valid registration", etc., etc…...

Don't know. I also didn't have my registration with me. I'm no expert. You could be right.

Aahaaa the plot thickens...…….Jajaja. Probably why they threatened to tow you.

There's always more to the story. . .

I guess I am a newbie compared to the OP, having only been here 7 years, but I cannot imagine not paying a yearly retainer to a reputable local attorney to have their cell # on speed dial for situations like this.

Funny. I can't imagine having the need to have an attorney on a retainer in Mexico.

TR hmmmm sounds fishy to me

Do they answer?

Trailrunner wrote:Funny. I can't imagine having the need to have an attorney on a retainer in Mexico.

Definitely having an attorney on a retainer here would indicate being a newbie to me........

Still don't know if the OP got away with no proof of current refrendo because of his honest face or that of Diego Rivera's.

Take a picture of the transito and his car. Then go report him. He may offer to pay you.

He would be more likely to beat you senseless with his billy club and then drag you to the Chapala Police station and report that you attacked him...…..jaja.

Taking pictures of transitos or cops in Mexico is nothing I would ever endorse.

I did that in Guad. Cop was on a moto. He took off like hell. Too many people around. Believe me....it works Weed out these bastards. If you want put the cell on video and capture the whole scene. YOU have to have some huevos !!!!!!!!!!!!

When a cop pulls you over anywhere, do not open your door. lock it. Roll the window down enough to talk. Get out your cell phone. I keep the transito and police number on the ready. Make a call right there in front of the transito. Report what goes on. YOU be prepared....he probably is not.

The transitos are there in El Chante area at the topes almost every time I go by. I usually drive through there on Tuesday and Friday. Most of the time they have one or two vehicles stopped on each side and are giving tickets. I thought they might be checking for the emission sticker or perhaps registration sticker. All the ones I saw stopped were Mexican pick ups and other type trucks. I did not see any foreign looking individuals stopped.

When I starter this topic, I only wanted to warn people to consider an emission check based on my experience. I agree it is a ripoff but I don't have a better answer.
I .m really tired if this going on forever.

We're having a conversation.

Suck it up! Yearly emissions check is a law, stupid or not... There are a lot of laws NOB that make this one look like child's play...