Biggest tip for driving in Mexico...make sure you have sufficient insurance that covers you in Mexico..this is to include liability and legal/ bail bond.
The laws are different in Mexico and if blood is drawn in an accident, if you are well enough you are brought to jail to await pending adjuster agreements and settlement. Do not move your car if in an accident. Call insurance company immediately and wait for police and adjuster. Only move car if told by police after they mark the street with paint where your tires were. I suggest never driving unless you have a cell phone to call insurance company. Do not agree to or sign anything until adjuster arrives.
Wear your seat belt and do not drink and drive. Know the laws are different, you can turn right on red if so marked, a blinking yellow light means the light will turn green almost momentarily.....it does not mean proceed with caution, you should stop. Flashing green means light is going to turn red, quickly. Many times you need a green arrow to turn left. In many areas a left hand turn is prohibited, you need to go up and go into lateral to make a left. A left blinker by a driver can mean they are turning left or that it is safe for you to pass...never ever attempt to pass before checking behind you as driving in Mexico is aggressive and you may have a driver already passing you. Do not drive at night if possible....it is very dangerous, there are many loose animals, cars without lights, etc. etc. Never, ever tell a policeman, "but I can do this in states", they really hate that. If stopped be kind and courteous it could be the difference between a big fine or mordida ( bite) and a letting you go.
The person on the main road always has the right of way. Do not pull out in ongoing traffic to get out of a side street, obstructing the flow of traffic, wait until the opportunity to go is there and then go but never obstruct the flow.
The person in a glorieta, (where many streets come into a round area) has the right of way, you must wait for opportunity to enter either via light or free access without obstruction to flow of traffic.
On small side roads, at an intersection, the street with the green arrow, usually on a side wall of a house or such has the right of way...black means you are the secondary to pass.
Drivers in Mexico are very aggressive and drive quite fast and also take many risks, such as passing on hills etc...keep a decent distance between you and other cars if possible. Know that drivers in Mexico use their horns a lot. If many lanes on a road and you are in wrong lane, many times if you roll down window and put your arm out, down by side of car and look at other driver in lane they frequently will let you go or enter the lane, this applies when someone does it to you as well.
If a traffic jam is ahead, or an accident put on your blinkers....you willl see this done frequently so slow down, this is a good rule and prevents many accidents.
Be sure to have in your car when driving all your legal documentation, originals ie: passport, import paper for car if yours, insurance papers, tourist visa or other, drivers license current of course. ( do not leave all these important documents in car if you are leaving it).
Many states in Mexico have no talking on cell phone laws so be aware of each state's laws. Jalisco is one of these. You will be ticketed and stopped for talking on cell phone in these states.
Do not get out of car when stopped, stay in vehicle, remain calm, do not argue, show respect, goes a long way here.
Personally, I drive here, but I know the laws mostly, I can speak some spanish, and I frequent myself with any routes I am taking.....I live here 99% of time so I kind of have to drive. I must suggest unless you have to drive here, personally I would not, an accident in Mexico can be your worst nightmare, nothing like anything you have ever experienced.
If you are renting all the above apply. Before accepting the car, do a thorough check of any damage on car and have it written down, maybe even photograph it, so you are not responsible. Be sure the insurance provides the above items I mentioned.
There are many levels of police who can stop you and each has a set juristiction on what they can and cannot do or ask for, ( transito's -traffic police, city and state police, federales, etc. etc. ) but your are not in the position to argue and you will not win...so again stay calm and comply. If you feel you are being bullied or such, tell officer you are going to call your insurance company on your cell phone and do so.
Yellow markings on curbs mean no parking, do not park there, many states take your plates if you are illegally parked and you must go to registry to retrieve them and pay the fine. A big E with a slash thru it also means no parking. Do not park close to a corner you are onky asking for a ticket or damage to your car.
A sign with little hills on it, means topes ahead, a tope is a raised area of raod that forces people to go slow. These can range from little bumps to big bumps that can take out the bottom of your car if preceeding quickly. Many topes are not marked in advance, thus again, be alert and do not drive at night.
Be aware in rainy season, torrential rains occur and flash flooding can be very quick in many areas. Also be aware there are many areas where cross winds can make driving very dangerous.
Once again, if you must drive here, use extreme caution, be alert and assertive, stay within the limits of speed no matter what other drivers are doing, but do not go too slow either as you can get ticketed for that as well. Know you are taking one of the bigger risks in Mexico in driving here ahead of time. Never drive at night once again, it is dark and dangerous.
I know sounds negative but driving in mexico is not like in the states, and if you are not fluent in spanish , do not know your rights etc. you are a target. Think long and hard before deciding to drive in Mexico. Should you decide to do so, well I wish you only the best of luck.