No, the carrier must wait until it receives the Certificate of Registration for commercial zone operations or a Provisional Operating Authority Registration for long-haul operations beyond the commercial zone. Until such documentation is issued, the carrier may not operate.

Last Updated : September 8, 2015

A number of things could happen if you operate without authority. Regulations found at 49 CFR 392.9a(b) require that carriers operating without authority or beyond the scope of their authority can be put Out of Service. A company operating without authority is also subject to fines.

Last Updated : September 8, 2015

Mexico domiciled motor carriers with a certificate of registration to operate within the border commercial zones have two options:  (1) obtain daily trip insurance per 49 CFR § 387.31(b)(3) or (2) meet the minimum requirements found in the table in 49 CFR Part 387.  Long-haul operators must meet the minimum requirements in 49 CFR Part 387.

Last Updated : July 6, 2015

FMCSA will deny an application for provisional operating authority if a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier fails the PASA. If a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier fails the PASA, it may reapply for provisional operating authority after 30 days and must pay the required $300 non-refundable filing fee again.

Last Updated : June 30, 2015

Once FMCSA confirms that the application is complete, it will conduct safety and security vetting of the company and complete a Pre-Authorization Safety Audit (PASA).

The PASA confirms that the applicant has safety management systems in place to be able to comply with the following Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations:

• 49 CFR Part 382 – Controlled Substances and Alcohol testing;
• 49 CFR Part 383 – Commercial Driver’s License Standards; Requirements and Penalties;
• 49 CFR Part 387 – Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for Motor Carriers;
• 49 CFR Part 390 – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations – General;
• 49 CFR Part 391 – Qualifications of Drivers and Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV) Driver Instructors;
• 49 CFR Part 392 – Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles;
• 49 CFR Part 393 – Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operations;
• 49 CFR Part 395 – Hour of Service of Drivers;
• 49 CFR Part 396 – Inspection, Repair and Maintenance; and
• Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations (as applicable).

Last Updated : June 30, 2015

No, long-haul operating authority also allows a motor carrier to operate within the commercial zones. However, if you only want to operate in the commercial zones, there is a different application and process. You should follow the instructions and complete the Form – OP-2 –Application for Mexican Certificate of Registration for Foreign Motor Carriers and Foreign Motor Private Carriers under 49 U.S.C. 13902. You will also need to submit the Application for US DOT number – Form MCS-150 and Instructions – Motor Carrier Identification Report and Designation of Agents for Service of Process – Form BOC-3 – Designation of Agents-Motor Carriers, Brokers and Freight Forwarders.

Once you have completed the forms, you must print the completed forms, sign them, and mail them to the address indicated in the instructions for each form.

Last Updated : June 30, 2015

You will need to complete three forms:

1. Application for US DOT number – Form MCS-150 and Instructions–Motor Carrier Identification Report
2. Application for Long-Haul Operating Authority (English and Spanish) – Instruction and Form OP-1(MX) - Application to Register Mexican Carriers for Motor Carri er Authority To Operate Beyond U.S. Municipalities and Commercial Zones on the U.S.- Mexico Border
3. Designation of Agents for Service of Process – Form BOC-3 – Designation of Agents-Motor Carriers, Brokers and Freight Forwarders

To obtain copies:

• To download the forms go to:  http://www.fmcsa.dot .gov/mission/forms or,
• To request the forms by telephone: You can call 1-800-832-5660 to have a form(s) mailed to you.
• Once you have completed the MCS-150, OP-1 (MX) and BOC-3 forms, you must print the completed forms, sign them, and mail them to the address indicated in the instructions for each form.
• There is a $300 non-refundable fee for the requested long-haul operating authority. Payment instructions can be found on the OP-1(MX).

 

Last Updated : May 10, 2017

Yes, you must file an OP-1(MX) for motor passenger carrier authority beyond the commercial zone.  However, no authority will be issued for operations beyond the zone until the land transportation provisions of NAFTA are implemented.

Last Updated : September 8, 2015

The deadline to submit an OP-1(MX) to renew a current Operating Authority for operations beyond the commercial zone was November 4, 2003. The FMCSA may suspend or revoke the Operating Authority of any carrier that failed to meet this deadline.  Your current Operating Authority remains valid until the FMCSA acts on your OP-1(MX) application.

Mexico-domiciled carriers without current Provisional Operating Authority can obtain a copy of the application package: (1) Through the mail by calling FMCSA's Information Line: (001-800-832-5660 from Mexico or 1-800-832-5660 from the U.S. or Canada), (2) from any FMCSA Division office by requesting the OP-1(MX) application package, or (3) through the FMCSA web site.

Last Updated : September 10, 2015

Not all of the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have been implemented, so, no, a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier cannot simply send trucks across the border and travel anywhere in the U.S.   The Mexico-domiciled motor carriers must apply and receive the proper operating authority issued by FMCSA.  See the main International Programs page (under the Registration tab) for a link to the application information.

Last Updated : June 30, 2015

Provisional operating authority registration is the authority granted to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers for at least the first 18 months of operations and until a compliance review conducted in accordance with Appendix B to 49 CFR Part 385 results in a satisfactory safety rating.

Standard operating authority registration is granted after a motor carrier has operated for at least 18 months with provisional operating authority registration, has received a satisfactory safety rating from a compliance review, and has no pending enforcement or safety improvement actions.

Last Updated : June 30, 2015

Long-haul operating authority allows a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier to transport international cargo between Mexico and points in the United States beyond the U.S.-Mexico border commercial zones. International cargo means cargo transported from a foreign country to the United States or from the United States to a foreign country.

Last Updated : June 30, 2015

Mexico-domiciled drivers are not required by Mexico to prepare Records of Duty Status while operating in Mexico but they are subject to hours of service limitations and must record their hours of work.  The Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) regulates motor carrier operations in Mexico. You might want to consult the SCT web site for more information on hours of service and record keeping while in Mexico.

Last Updated : September 8, 2015

The Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) regulates truck traffic in Mexico and it has established a program to allow U.S. motor carriers to provide long haul trucking services.   The requirements for registering and contact information may be found on the SCT web site.

Last Updated : September 8, 2015