The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced that it is holding two free seminars for Mexican-domiciled carriers to learn about the new operating authority application process, safety audits, compliance reviews and the federal motor carrier safety regulations. This is another step the agency is taking toward safe implementation of the southern border truck and bus crossing provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

By sponsoring and conducting these seminars, to be held in each border State, the FMCSA is extending an invitation to all Mexican-domiciled motor carriers who currently operate or intend to operate in the U.S. Instructors will be federal and state commercial vehicle safety inspectors and will include members of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).

The subjects to be addressed at the seminars will include:
U.S. Commercial Vehicle Safety Culture
The Application Process for Obtaining Authority To Operate In the U.S.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR)
General Requirements
Financial Responsibility
Qualifications of Drivers
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Standards Alcohol and Drugs
Driving Motor Vehicles
Hours of Service
Parts and Accessories
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
Inspection and Repair
The Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations
The North American Standard Inspection Procedure
CVSA Out-of-Service Criteria
Specific State Requirements
U.S. Highway Safety Rules - Speed, Lane Changes and Rules of Road

The dates and locations of the two seminars being held in Texas are as follows:

April 15 in El Paso, TX
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hilton Camino Real Hotel
101 South El Paso Street
Telephone: 915-872-4770

April 24 in Brownsville, TX
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Four Points Sheraton Hotel
3777 North Expressway
Telephone: 956-983-5959

For more information about these safety compliance seminars, go to http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ on the Internet and click on the listing showing seminar dates under the southern border heading. Times and locations of the seminars in California, Arizona and New Mexico will be announced when details become available.

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