Governor Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda signed a decree granting free first-time driver’s licenses to 16- and 17-year-olds in Baja California. The program, called Licencia Joven (Youth License), also gives a 50% discount to applicants aged 18 to 20. Both benefits remain active through December 31, 2026.
The decree eliminates the standard license fee for eligible teens. According to the state’s RETYS portal, a motorcycle and automobile license for drivers aged 16 to 18 normally costs $827.17 pesos (roughly $48 USD). A standard three-year automobile license runs $1,120.10 pesos (about $65 USD). Young drivers aged 18 to 20 will pay half those amounts under the new program.
Free Road Safety Course Required
Before receiving a license, applicants must complete a free accredited road safety course offered through the state government. Online registration for the course opens June 10 and closes June 15 via the Baja California state portal.
In-person training sessions are scheduled across seven locations statewide: Tijuana on June 17, Tecate on June 22, Playas de Rosarito on June 23, San Quintín on June 30, Ensenada on July 1, and Mexicali on July 4. A session in San Felipe at Parque Hayward is planned, though the date has not been confirmed.
What Applicants Need to Bring
All applicants must present a CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población), Mexico’s unique population registry code. Minors under 18 also need written parental authorization. Applicants must complete the safety course before they can receive their license.
In Baja California, driver’s licenses are processed at municipal Recaudación de Rentas offices. These offices generally operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., according to the state’s RETYS system. Locations exist in Mexicali, Tijuana, Ensenada, Tecate, and Playas de Rosarito.
Key Dates at a Glance
The registration window is tight. Families interested in the program should register online between June 10 and June 15, then attend the in-person training session closest to their city. The program runs through the end of 2026, so additional training sessions may be announced later.
First reported by Jornada BC.