Does Jalisco Have Tenencia? What You Actually Pay in 2026
Short answer: no. Jalisco abolished the tenencia in 2012.
But someone probably told you that you have to pay it — because a lot of people still call the annual refrendo "tenencia." They're two different things. Here's the difference, what you actually pay in 2026, and how to pay without lines.
What you actually pay in Jalisco 2026
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual refrendo, private car | $1,100 MXN ($1,000 + $40 Red Cross + $60 Hogar Cabañas) |
| Annual refrendo, motorcycle | $600 MXN |
| Hybrid vehicle refrendo | $550 MXN |
| Electric vehicle refrendo | Exempt |
| Emissions check with paid 2026 refrendo | Free |
| Tenencia | Does NOT exist in Jalisco |
The refrendo doesn't depend on the model year. Whether your car is a 2010 or a 2024, you pay the same. That was a tenencia feature, not a refrendo feature.
What's the refrendo and why is it confused with tenencia?
The refrendo is the annual payment that keeps your vehicle registration valid in Jalisco. Without it, your plates lose validity, you can't do other procedures, and you risk a fine.
Tenencia was something else: a federal tax on vehicle ownership calculated based on the car's value. In 2011 the federal government scrapped it and handed the decision to each state. Jalisco chose not to replicate it. Other states (Estado de México, CDMX, Querétaro) did keep it, which is why people still hear about "tenencia."
When someone asks "did you pay the tenencia?" what they really mean is: did you pay the refrendo?
What does the 2026 refrendo include?
Paying the $1,100 isn't just a sticker renewal. In 2026 it comes with three things:
1. Renewed registration card. The system updates the validity. If you need the physical card, you get it on your next visit to the office (or it comes with the 3×1 swap if you did that).
2. Free emissions verification all of 2026. This is the big benefit. Book your appointment based on the calendar by plate ending at verificacionresponsable.jalisco.gob.mx.
3. Valid hologram. The sticker on the windshield that traffic officers check.
The 2026 refrendo does NOT include plate swap. That was the 2025 3×1 program. If you still have Maguey, Gota, or Minerva plates, the swap is a separate procedure — free through May 29, 2026 if you paid your 2025 refrendo in 2025 and you pay the 2026 one.
Refrendo calendar by last plate digit
| Last digit | Month for free verification |
|---|---|
| 1 | January – February |
| 2 | February – March |
| 3 | March – April |
| 4 | April – May |
| 5 | May – June |
| 6 | July – August |
| 7 | August – September |
| 8 | September – October |
| 9 | October – November |
| 0 | November – December |
You can pay the refrendo any time of year; the calendar only governs free verification. If you miss your month, the verification costs $500 MXN within the year and $550 MXN outside.
How to pay the refrendo without going to the office
- Option A — Online (easiest)
- 1. Go to gobiernoenlinea1.jalisco.gob.mx.
- 2. Enter your plate number and last 5 characters of the VIN (on your registration card).
- 3. The system shows the itemized debt.
- 4. Pay by card.
- 5. Save the receipt.
Option B — At retailers OXXO, 7-Eleven, Farmacias Guadalajara, Soriana, Walmart, or the SET kiosk at Galerías Vallarta. Bring the plate number and last 5 of the VIN.
Option C — In person at UNIRSE Fluvial Vallarta Av. Grandes Lagos #236, Fracc. Fluvial Vallarta. Mon–Fri 8 AM–4 PM. Worth it if you have old debts and need to resolve them at the counter.
Want Pepe to handle it for you?
Pepe checks for debt, pays the refrendo, books your verification, and sends you the receipts on WhatsApp. If you have back years, he helps you take advantage of any active surcharge amnesty.
What happens if I don't pay the refrendo?
- Surcharges start accruing on top of the base amount; the longer you wait, the more it costs.
- The system blocks other procedures (ownership transfer, license, provisional permit).
- A traffic stop with an expired refrendo means a fine.
- You lose the year's free emissions check. If you pay it in 2027, that doesn't cover 2026.
FAQ
So I really don't pay tenencia in Jalisco? Correct. It hasn't existed since 2012. The only thing you pay annually is the refrendo.
How much is the refrendo if I have old debt? Go to gobiernoenlinea1.jalisco.gob.mx and the system shows the accumulated total with surcharges. Some years there are amnesty programs — worth checking before you pay.
Can I pay at OXXO? Yes. Bring your plate number and the last 5 characters of the VIN.
Do motorcycles pay refrendo? Yes, but $600 MXN, and they don't need verification (so the free-check benefit doesn't apply).
Do electric vehicles pay? No. 100% electric vehicles are exempt in Jalisco.
Do I have to pay during my assigned month? No — the month only determines when you get the free verification. The refrendo can be paid all year, but the longer you wait, the more surcharges add up.
Does the early-pay discount still apply? The 5% online early-pay discount was for January–February. For 2026 it's already gone; keep it in mind for January 2027.
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WhatsAppBased on the 2026 Ley de Ingresos del Estado de Jalisco. Last reviewed: May 2026.
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