Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

DOT Announces Rules For Mexican Trucks

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

by Staff
March 14, 2002
DOT Announces Rules For Mexican Trucks

 

3 min to read


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.

Topics:Equipment

More Equipment

Waabi-Volvo autonomous VNL truck.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 26, 2026

Waabi, Volvo Claim Breakthrough in Scaling Autonomous Trucking

Waabi says its AI-powered virtual driver successfully transferred to Volvo Autonomous Solutions' Volvo VNL Autonomous platform without retraining or additional data, a milestone the companies say could dramatically accelerate commercialization of autonomous trucks.

Read More →
2026 Mack Pioneer
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 25, 2026

Why the Mack Pioneer Signals a New Era in Class 8 Truck Design

After a public-road drive through eastern Pennsylvania, one thing became clear: Mack's new Pioneer isn't simply packed with technology -- it's been engineered around the driver in ways that could redefine long-haul trucking.

Read More →
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie on Mack Defense order.
EquipmentJune 23, 2026

Mack Defense Secures $47 Million to Continue Military Dump Truck Production

President Trump visited Mack Defense’s Macungie, Pennsylvania, facility on June 23 to tout a $47 million Heavy Dump Truck order.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Mack Truck Museum, Allentown, PA.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 23, 2026

New (Antique) Trucks Take the Spotlight at the Mack Trucks Museum

The Mack Trucks Historical Museum has a slate of new historic vehicles on display this year.

Read More →
Illustration of toy truck on top of 100-dollar bills, with logos for Wex and TFS Financial
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 23, 2026

WEX, TFS Launch Equipment Financing Program for Trucking Fleets

The companies say the program uses technology to connect fleets with financing providers more efficiently than traditional lending channels.

Read More →
Line of vintage trucks
EquipmentJune 19, 2026

Historic, Vintage, and Antique Trucks at the 2026 ATHS Convention

More than 500 trucks were on display, indoors and out, at the 2026 American Historical Society annual convention in Springfield, Missouri.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration showing DEF tank and Detroit engine
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJune 18, 2026

DTNA Software Update Gives Truckers More Time Before DEF Derates Take Effect

The changes reflect EPA guidance aimed at reducing downtime caused by emissions-system faults while maintaining compliance requirements.

Read More →
photo of a military truck with "Great American Trucks" wording on top of red-white-and-blue background.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 16, 2026

Great American Trucks: The International MaxxPro MRAP

Built from an International WorkStar chassis and powered by a MaxxForce diesel, the MaxxPro MRAP became one of the most important military trucks of the Iraq War era.

Read More →
2026 Mack Granite interior.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 11, 2026

New Mack Granite Cab Puts Driver Comfort Front and Center

Mack’s next-generation vocational truck features a roomier cab, premium seating, advanced steering technology, and a driver-focused interior designed with direct input from professional operators.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Mack Trucks Pioneer Nascar Salutes truck.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 11, 2026

Mack Unveils Fan-Selected Patriotic NASCAR Pioneer Wraps

Racing fans picked the patriotic design now featured on three Mack Pioneer trucks hauling NASCAR equipment across the country during the 2026 season.

Read More →