HOME About Us File A Report Facts Legislation News Links Let Us Not Forget
Truckers caught in the system Common causes of truck crashes Report an unsafe truck

LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES

NAFTA Regulations

North American Free Trade Agreement -

The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, is in the fore front of many political discussions these days. NAFTA was signed in the early 1990's and allows for free trade between Canada, Mexico and the United States. A big component of NAFTA is the allowance of trucking companies owned and operated in Mexico being allowed in to operate in the United States. Below are the regulations about international trucking.

U.S. Department of Transportation Regulations

  • Mexican owned carriers and U.S. and Canadian carriers are governed by the same safety standards when operating in the U.S.

  • Mexican owned carriers applying to operate to and from the United States are required to have a distinctive USDOT number, undergo initial safety monitoring that continues for an 18-month provisional period.

  • During operations for the 18 month provisional period, and for 36 months after receiving permanent authority, Mexican vehicles operating beyond the border commercial zones into the U.S. must display a valid Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspection decal.

  • All Mexican owned carriers entering the United States must have a drug and alcohol-testing program, a system of compliance with U.S. federal hours-of-service requirements, adequate data and safety management systems, and valid insurance with a U.S. registered insurance company.

  • Mexican commercial vehicles with authority to operate beyond the commercial zones will be permitted to enter the United States only at commercial border crossings and only when a certified motor carrier safety inspector is on duty.

  • Federal and state safety inspectors will inspect and verify the status and validity of the license of each driver of a long-haul Mexican owned motor carrier (1) that is carrying a hazardous material; (2) when undergoing a full vehicle driver Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspection; and (3) for 50 percent of other long-haul Mexican drivers engaged in cross-border operations.

  • Mexican owned carriers planning to operate solely within the commercial zones along the U.S-Mexico border must apply for provisional Certificates of Registration within 18 months, which grant temporary authority to operate in the United States. The provisional Certificate of Registration cannot be made permanent for at least 18 months, giving time for   the carrier to successfully complete a safety audit.

  • DOT will provide all Mexican owned carriers with educational and technical assistance before the restrictions on Mexican carrier operations are lifted.

  • DOT and States will also do the following:

    •