International Program

The International Program web page provides resources and guidance on the FMCSA regulations, Hazardous Materials regulations and safety requirements for motor carriers domiciled in the United States, Canada, and Mexico who operate, or are applying for authority to operate, beyond their own borders to transport international freight.

Operating in North America and...

Entering Canada

• Travel Alerts for U.S. Motor Carriers/Drivers that Operate in Canada
  • 10/2018 - Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus
  • 08/2018 - Personal Conveyance FAQ for U.S. Carriers/Drivers Operating in Canada
  • 08/2018 - Agriculture Exemption FAQ for U.S. Carriers/Drivers Operating in Canada
  • 12/2017 - Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Frequently Asked Questions for U.S. Carriers/Drivers Operating in Canada
  • 07/2017 - U.S. Carriers' CMVs Operating in Ontario
  • 07/2017 - U.S. Carriers' CMVs Operating in Quebec
  • 12/2014 - Driver Vehicle Inspection Report Requirement
• Reciprocity and Recognition of United States and Canadian Commercial Drivers Licenses 
• Guidance for Motor Carriers
  • Traveling Between the U.S. and Canada? (English version)
  • Vous voyagez entre les Etats-Unis et le Canada? (French version)

Entering Mexico

• Operations in Mexico (Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes/ Dirección General de Autotransporte Federal) - English language version

Entering the United States

• Travel Alerts for Canadian Carriers/Drivers that Operate in the United States
  • 10/2018 - Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus 
• Prohibition Against Engaging in US Domestic Freight Operations
  • Customs and Border Protection regulation (19 CFR Sec. 123.14(c))
  • Driver and Vehicle Restrictions on Cross-Border Operations (Department of Homeland Security)
• Periodic Inspection Comparability
  • 05/2016 - Canadian and Mexican periodic inspection programs considered comparable to US periodic inspection program

• Operations Solely within Border Zones

  • Commercial Zones and Municipalities Defined in 49 CFR Part 372
  • Commercial Zone Authority Application via the Unified Registration System

• Operations Nationwide (Long-Haul Authority)

  • Application for Mexico-domiciled carriers for operations beyond the border zones (Spanish-language version)
  • Lease and interchange of vehicles by Mexico domiciled motor carriers - Notice of applicability

• North American Standard Inspection (NASI) information

  • Brochure: Understanding the NASI Program English – Spanish
  • Video: North American Standard Level I Inspection English – Spanish

NAFTA Implementation

• 2015 - Notice:  Acceptance of Applications from Mexico domiciled Long-Haul Operations
• 2015 - United States to Expand Trade Opportunities with Mexico through Safe Cross-Border Trucking

Law Enforcement Resources

• CMV Inspector Visor Card - Mexico Long-Haul Carrier
• Law Enforcement Visor Card - Mexico Long-Haul Carrier
• Commercial Motor Vehicle Awareness Training 
• Verifying a Carrier's Operating Authority 

Rules & Regulations

• News Release: DOT Sets Safety Requirements for Mexico-based Trucks and Buses in United States
• Memorandum of Technical Cooperation Between The United States of America Department of Transportation and the United Mexican States Secretaría De Comunicaciones Y Transportes Relating to On-Site Motor Carrier Assessment Protocols [Español]