The U.S. Department of Transportation Thursday unveiled its new safety requirements for Mexican motor carriers to operate inside the United States. The rulemakings are among the actions the agency is taking to prepare for opening the border for Mexican Trucks by mid-year.

The border opening will implement the cross-border trucking terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which have been delayed since 1995 because of safety concerns and organized labor opposition.
Mexican carriers applying to operate anywhere in the United States will be required to have a distinctive USDOT number, have their vehicles pass a safety inspection, and undergo intensified safety monitoring during an 18-month provisional period, and provide supplemental safety certifications as part of the application process. Mexican commercial vehicles 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.
The regulations also will require Mexican carriers operating in the United States to have a drug and alcohol testing program, a system of compliance with U.S. hours of service requirements, adequate data and safety management systems, and valid insurance with a U.S.-registered company. The carrier's ability to meet these requirements will be verified by a safety audit before the carrier is granted provisional authority. At least half of these safety audits must take place in Mexico. In addition to safety audits, all Mexican carriers granted provisional operating authority will undergo full safety compliance reviews during the 18-month provisional period.
Federal and state safety inspectors will be required to inspect and verify the status and validity of at least half of Mexican truck driver's licenses, and all who are hauling hazardous materials.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration intends to give Mexican carriers educational and technical assistance before the border opens and as they apply for operating authority.
The rules include requirements to meet the terms in the Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, signed into law by President Bush in December. Only one of the rules is actually a final rule; two are interim final rules, and two are proposed rules. Comments are still being accepted on the interim final and proposed rules; the interim final rules are expected to become final 45 days after publication in the Federal Register.
FMCSA plans to publish similar rules later this year for all new carriers who apply for motor carrier authority in the United States.
In addition to implementing these rules, DOT and the states will equip all U.S.-Mexico commercial border crossings with scales. Five of the ten locations with the highest volume of commercial vehicle crossings will get weigh-in-motion scales before they start processing carrier applications. The other five will have weigh-in-motion devices within 12 months.
For more information, you can read the rules in the Federal Register at www.fmcsa.dot.gov and a fact sheet at www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm.