Mexican Fleets Keep US Authority After Pilot Program Ends

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has exercised its power within the nation’s cross-border pilot program to maintain authority over U.S. trucking operations even after the program ends.

Although the program between the U.S. and Mexico began in 2011, it has recently been terminated.

The program, which adhered to the United States North American Free Trade Agreement restrictions, allowed both Mexico and the US to use each other’s trucks for transport. However, as a part of that agreement the FMSCA incorporated GPS technology to track the location of each of these transports for further protection within the states.

Earlier, a court had ruled that certain companies could continue to bring merchandise and goods from Mexico to any part of the US.  However, this ruling was upended by the installment of the new Cross-Border Pilot Program.

Today, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is allowing only 13 Mexican based trucking companies to continue operating within the US after the Pilot Programs end.

As part of this continuation, all trucks will be equipped with HOS electronic logbook software.

The tracking equipment used in this program was provided by Teletrac. Teletrac’s software provides in depth real time tracking information for both vehicles and the drivers.

This allows FMSCA to see exactly where shipments are coming and going from.

Aside from the trucking companies who are involved with the program, there are only a few commercial zones to which other Mexican carriers can ship to. Usually these zones require transport to a United States carrier as well.

A rigorous signup process and requirements must be passed prior to any Mexican carrier being approved of for the program. T

hese restrictions include inspections by the Department of Transportation Investigator and driver requirements such as a clear understating of the English language. So far, only 12 companies have been approved.

Looking for DOT Hazardous materials training and certification? We have an amazing 97% customer return rate for our training clases. If you are in the shipping, receiving or trucking industry, these trainings and certifications are a must. Contact us today at 855-637-9566 or click here to send us an email.