Overview
- The provincial Security Ministry and road authority confirmed there is no explicit prohibition on drinking mate and no tickets have been issued for it.
- Mendoza’s traffic law requires drivers to maintain effective control with both hands on the wheel, so actions that leave only one hand on the wheel can be penalized.
- Officials recommend avoiding mate while driving because distraction or a hot-liquid spill can cause a sudden loss of control.
- In 2025 the province carried out 228,411 vehicle checks and issued 107,228 citations, recorded 121 road deaths, and most often cited U-turns, crossing the yellow line, lack of seatbelt, and driving without a license.
- Standard fines range from 30,000 to 500,000 pesos, judicial contests reach 450,000 to 750,000, and the 2026 tariff lifts alcohol-related penalties up to 5.5 million pesos as Mendoza retains a 0.5 g/L limit versus national zero on routes.