Do you know a phone number to call (US customs?) to ask if I can travel by car into Mexico w/o a passport?

I am planning on driving from Arizona to Mexico but don't have a passport. I want to make sure I can reenter with my license and birth certificate. I'm looking for a phone number where I can get a definite answer. Thank you.

Sorry, but as of Tuesday, you need a passport to enter, or leave another country.

You can travel by car into Mexico at this time without a passport. I believe it is either 7/1/2007 or January 2008 where you will need a passport to re-enter the US. The current passport requirement is only for air travel.

if you are crossing the border to another country you are going to need a passport

You may find it at this website:

Have you try http://www.usa.gov/ online.

Tourists wishing to travel beyond the border zone with their car must obtain a temporary import permit or risk having their car confiscated by Mexican customs officials. To acquire a permit, one must submit evidence of citizenship, title for the car, a car registration certificate, a driver's license, and a processing fee to either a Banjercito branch located at a Mexican Customs office at the port of entry, or at one of the Mexican Consulates located in Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, or San Francisco. Mexican law also requires the posting of a bond at a Banjercito (Mexican Army Bank) office to guarantee the departure of the car from Mexico within a time period determined at the time of the application. For this purpose, American Express, Visa or MasterCard credit card holders will be asked to provide credit card information; others will need to make a cash deposit of between $200 and $400, depending on the age of the car. In order to recover this bond or avoid credit card charges, travelers must go to any Mexican Customs office immediately prior to departing Mexico. Disregard any advice, official or unofficial, that vehicle permits can be obtained at checkpoints in the interior of Mexico. Avoid individuals outside vehicle permit offices offering to obtain the permits without waiting in line. If the proper permit cannot be obtained at the Banjercito branch at the port of entry, do not proceed to the interior where travelers may be incarcerated, fined and/or have their vehicle seized at immigration/customs checkpoints. For further information, contact Mexican Customs about appropriate vehicle permits.
Travelers should contact the Mexican Embassy or closest Mexican Consulate for the most current information. You can visit the Embassy of Mexico web site at http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/ or call the Embassy of Mexico at 202-736-1000. You can also call the closest Mexican consulate in the United States for assistance. (A list of Mexican consulates in the U.S. can be found on the Mexican Embassy web site.)

I know when I went inot Mexico it depends on how far you are going, once you enter Mexico about 5 to 10 mils maybe there is a Mexican check point and these guys don't play around and we had to show our pass port..its always safe to have one...check this out

http://www.mexonline.com/drivemex.htm

Ok...I am an American living in Mexico. Here is the DEFINITIVE answer. You do not need a passport to travel by CAR to and from Mexico until January 2008. It certainly does not hurt to have one. You do need your birth certificate and a picture I.D. If you are staying 180 days or less, you may obtain a tourist visa at the border. You can go to the website below to read for yourself for your own peace of mind.

you can until 2008

check out www.usimmigrationsupport.org