CVSA Removes “English Requirements” (391.11(b)(2)) in Updated Out-of Service Criteria
Roadside inspectors no longer will place Mexican or Canadian truckers operating in the United States “Out-of-Service” if they are unable to communicate in English, according to new Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance “tolerance guidelines”. CVSA said the procedures will go into effect April 1. The changes were approved by CVSA’s board and the majority of the membership, said Stephen Keppler, executive director of CVSA. The language…
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FMCSA announces Official Acceptance of Mexico’s NOM-68
The FMCSA, this week, published in the Federal Register, it’s decision to accept the Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) or Official Mexican Standard) concerning the periodic inspection (PI) of commercial vehicles (CMV’s). FMCSA reviewed NOM-068-SCT-2-2014 (NOM68) and determined that it should be added to the list of programs which are compatible to, or as effective as, the Federal PI requirements contained in FMCSA regulations 49 CFR part…
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Mexican trucks are here, and they’re here to stay! End of Story!!!
Three months ago, the DOT Office of Inspector General released it’s final report to Congress concerning the previously completed Pilot Program which tested the mettle of Mexico carriers to operate safely and in full compliance with our laws and regulations. Despite a low number of participants in the program, the program was successful and in January, FMCSA sent their required report to Congress indicating they…
Final OIG Report on Cross Border Trucking reveals no reason not to comply and allow Mexican trucks full access
The long awaited final report on the cross border program was released today by the Office of Inspector General of the USDOT and the results reveal there is absolutely no reason for the United States not to comply with their obligations to allow Mexican trucks full and equal access to this country. As expected, the OIG arrived at the conclusion that FMCSA lacked an adequate number…
Cross Border Pilot Program with Mexico concludes - Participants granted Standard Operating Authority by FMCSA
In a surprising but not unanticipated move, the FMCSA granted the 13 Mexican motor carriers who participated recently concluded Cross Border Pilot Program with Mexico Standard Operating Authority meaning they can continue to conduct business in the United States beyond the commercial zones as they have been doing for the past 36 months. And as anticipated, upon conclusion of the Pilot Program, the two organizations…
CVSA Brake Check Week set for September 7 - 13
The annual Brake Safety Week inspection spree will take place Sept. 7-13, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has announced. CVSA says it expects more than 30,000 brake inspections to take place during the week, which would be a 50 percent increase from last year’s roughly 20,000 inspections. CVSA’s Brake Safety Week is part of the week-long Operation Airbrake program, sponsored by CVSA and the Federal…
MCSAC meeting scheduled to discuss U.S.-Mexico Cross Border Long Haul Trucking Pilot Program
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee’s (MCSAC) subcommittee on the U.S.-Mexico Cross Border Long Haul Trucking Pilot Program will meet on Monday, July 28, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (E.D.T.). The meeting will be held at FMCSA’s National Training Center (NTC), 1310 North Courthouse Road, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22201. The…
FMCSA releases proposed ELD rule - Comment Period To Be Announced
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced a proposal to require interstate commercial truck and bus companies to use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) in their vehicles to improve compliance with the safety rules that govern the number of hours a driver can work. The proposed rulemaking would significantly reduce the paperwork burden associated with hours-of-service recordkeeping for…
Participant in Cross Border Pilot Program with Mexico has operating authority revoked by FMCSA
The Cross Border Pilot Program with Mexico has been in operation for 28 months and a participant has had his authority to operate revoked by FMCSA after scoring a “Conditional” rating during a compliance review. SERGIO TRISTAN MALDONALDO DBA TRISTAN TRANSFER domiciled in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas was notified by the FMCSA on January 23, 2014 that their MX-OP-1 provisional operating authority had been revoked and to cease…
2013 Cross Border Trucking Audit finds few problems in FMCSA’s Border truck enforcement.
In it’s annual report on the state of cross border trucking with Mexico, the USDOT Inspector General found that FMCSA was generally in compliance with rules established by Congress in 2002 generally referred to as Section 350(c). This years report covered deficiencies pertaining to bus inspections at border crossings suggesting that few if any problems were found with the Cross Border Pilot Program with Mexico…
Opponents of Cross Border Trucking with Mexico Continue to Fail in Efforts to Stop Program
In May of 2013, having failed in all previous attempts to stymie, delay or stop each applicant to the Cross Border Pilot Program with Mexico from being given provisional authority to enter the program, a representative from each of the opposing groups sent a letter of protest to FMCSA Commissioner Ann Ferro. The letter was signed by representatives of OOIDA, Teamsters, Advocates for Highway &…
TEAMSTERS STILL QUESTION MEXICAN TRUCK SAFETY DESPITE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY
Upon learning of the DC Court of Appeals refusal to grant a rehearing before the full nine member panel of the DC Circuit, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters issued a press release that took none of us by surprise. Teamsters still questions Mexican truck safety is the title of the presser and as we’ve come to expect, most of what is said couldn’t be further…
Four more participants in Cross Border Pilot Program earn “Permanent Operating Authority”
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration granted permanent authority on May 23, to four more Mexican carriers participating in the Cross Border Pilot Program with Mexico. Five of the twelve participants now have this earned upgrade. FMCSA issued permanent authority to Moises Alveraz Perez, Servicios Refrigerados Internationals and Higienicos Y Desechables Del Bajo and Transportes Monteblanco. Transportes Olympics, the first participant in both the 2007…