**Extended Decree for “Chocolate Cars” Regularization Until 2026**
**Primary Article:**
The regularization program for foreign vehicles, often referred to as “chocolate cars,” has been extended once more, now set to continue until September 30, 2026. This extension comes by presidential order due to persistent user demand. The President of Mexico recently announced the decree in the Federal Official Gazette (DOF), marking the ninth such extension since the program’s inception.
The decree was initially published on January 19, 2022, with several extensions throughout that year. In 2023, the program saw four additional extensions, and 2024 has already recorded two more. The program allows vehicle regularization in any of the 16 designated states via 163 government-established modules.
These states include Tamaulipas, Chihuahua, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Zacatecas, Coahuila, Durango, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Hidalgo, San Luis PotosÃ, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Jalisco, and Tlaxcala. For instance, in Baja California, the module operates at the Fair and Exhibitions Center (FEX).
To participate in the program, vehicle owners must schedule an appointment at https://regularizaauto.sspc.gob.mx/ and comply with the set requirements. The regularization process costs 2,500 pesos per vehicle. The funds collected thus far from vehicle regularizations amount to approximately 6.4 billion pesos. Notably, Tamaulipas, Chihuahua, and Baja California collectively contributed more than half of this sum.
As of late September, more than 2.5 million vehicles have been regularized across the 16 states. Specifically, in Baja California, over 400,000 vehicles have been legalized, generating more than 950 million pesos. These funds have been channeled into infrastructural developments, including the paving of 469,507 square meters of roads.
The decree’s guidelines remain unchanged. Vehicles of European or Asian origin, previously stationed in the United States, are eligible, as well as cars assembled in Mexico, the United States, or Canada with serial numbers starting with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. Imports are restricted for luxury, sports, or armored vehicles; vehicles that fail to meet physical or environmental standards; stolen vehicles; or those linked to criminal investigations.
Furthermore, owners of vehicles from model year 2015 or earlier, along with those regularized in 2024, must renew their vehicle registration by June 30, 2025. Renewal can be initiated online starting January, with a 30-day window to complete documentation at https://tramites.ebajacalifornia.gob.mx/ventanillaunica/tramites/controlvehicular/revalidacion.
**Secondary Article:**
**”Chocolate Cars” Regularization Program Extension Seen as Opportunity for More Road Improvements**
The extension of the “chocolate cars” regularization program until 2026 is heralded as a significant opportunity for enhanced road and infrastructure improvements across the participating states. With nearly 6.4 billion pesos already accrued, the distribution of funds has seen tangible benefits in numerous regions.
Baja California, which legalizes a substantial number of these vehicles, has already utilized funds to pave nearly half a million square meters of roads, improving travel safety and efficiency. This success is mirrored in other states where the program is helping to mitigate the issues of unregistered vehicles on the roads.
Stakeholders emphasize the financial and social benefits of continuing the program, illustrating the impact on local economies and infrastructures. Public reception remains generally positive as residents see direct benefits from the funds generated through the regularization process, including improved road quality and reduced illicit vehicle operations.
The government continues to facilitate easy access to the program through dedicated modules and online platforms, ensuring that vehicle registration processes remain streamlined and efficient. As the program progresses, it is anticipated that further infrastructural developments will be realized, enhancing transportation safety and boosting local economies even more.
The extension serves not only as a regulatory measure but also as a cornerstone for ongoing public works and community improvements. Observers are hopeful that the extended timeframe to 2026 will yield notable advancements in regional transportation infrastructure, directly benefiting millions of residents while maintaining regulatory compliance across the nation.