Driving on the lateral with a MH (in PV)- What is the rule?

What is a lateral?

I think he is referring to bypass roads, but Im not positive.

Side road? Here's a link on things to know when driving in Mexico.

In some / most Cities you can not take a dual wheel vehicle downtown. On the City main arteries AROUND the city you can only drive in the Right Lane AND each lane can have a different speed limit which is Painted on the road surface of the lane.

rocmoc n AZ

Yes, a very common practice in Mexico on major roads:

Four or more main lanes. For "faster" traffic.
Parallel roads on either side of the main lanes for slower vehicles. There is usually an international type sign showing dual rear wheels with a line through it on the main lanes.

If you see all the other vehicles with dual rear wheels on the laterals, figure you should be too.

And, in some areas, Guadalajara ring road for example, vehicles with dual rear wheels may only use certain lanes. Again, a good idea to keep traffic moving-- loaded dump truck in the left lane(s) would sure slow down traffic.

The Puerto Vallarta info below is primarily for those who are not familiar with it:

In Puerto Vallarta, the lateral rule only applies to the Northern section of the 200. The southern part, from where the highway goes towards El Tunel and the road that leads through centro and to the old town splits off, the laterals do not need to be used, and in fact should not as they are not continuous and you may find yourself heading somewhere you really don't want to be in an RV! Such as into a loading bay! Nor do you want to be in Centro with and RV.

Southbound, (if going south through the city) stay on the lateral(left lane, though NOT the left turn lane)until just past Plaza Las Glorias then follow the exit(left)off the lateral onto the main lanes. In a VERY SHORT distance there is a traffic light which includes a left arrow. You need to turn left here. This is the main 200 which takes you through the tunnels and into old town for a few blocks where you turn left again to the 200.

Driving on the laterals in PV, which are for the most part two lanes, it is permitted to be in the left lane; the right lane will take for ever as all the bus stops are in the right lane. If the right lane is light traffic I will stay right when I can. Note these lanes are very narrow. We lost a mirror here many years ago.

Other locations: Zihuatanejo: Laterals not required and best avoided UNLESS you are turning off

Morelia: The periferico is multilane,but still very very busy. If I recall correctly for most of it there are no laterals. Good news; traffic to and from Patzcuaro and/or the Pacific Coast there is a new toll road off the 15D north f the city that misses Morelia completely!

Queretero; Laterals not needed. Except for turning off.

As stated by others watch for the No Duals signs OR Trafico Pesado Obligatorio. (Heavy Traffic Mandatory)
NOTE: Trafico Pesado = Heavy Traffic (Anything with duals OR pulling a trailer)
Trafico Pasado = Through Traffic. Big difference!

It is really hit and miss as to where you need to use the laterals.

If you are unsure, watch for buses and taxis waving their arms and pointing you onto them.

If you get stopped, be honest, be friendly, and good luck. PV they will nail you every time.

Thanks, I will watch for those dually signs. Best to avoid a ticket I will stay on any lateral I see, but sometimes you have to go on and off, and make sure it is not a road that leads somewhere else.

Know where your left turn will be when driving your rig south, and move to the right, onto the lateral. Then make your turn crossing the intersection. I have to admit, I never did this. Unfamiliar with the area (we always drove straight through, 200 km south) We either missed the turn off to the right onto the lateral, or we thought, never have done it (poorly marked in the old days) so we're not doing it now. Not good! But we always got away with it. Once I thought we would get a ticket, when I started to make a left off the main part of the highway just as the green light started to flash. But at the very moment, an old fellow started to walk in front of me, so I stopped, and listened to the barrage of honking horns! then sheepishly finished, to make our way south on Mexico 200. Another place to this was in Las Varas, north of Rincon de Gauayabitos, if travelling north but taking the roads closer to the coast, towards San Blas. I always used the lateral there driving the motor home.

In PV, going southbound you have to go onto the lateral just before the airport. You actually need to take the exit for the airport. There is a sign but it is hard to see. Do nto go onto the overpass, you will get nailed at the south end of it. Northbound you need to stay in the lateral well nroorth of the airport until the curve before the Home Depot. There is also a bridge just south of Bucerias you cannot cross, you have to go down alongside it.