WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation proposed its cross-border trucking program with Mexico.

Details of the three-year program, which permits approved Mexican carrier companies to operate throughout the U.S., were released last week.

The proposal is the result of a deal struck last month between the Obama administration and Mexico’s Calderon government.

It is a second attempt at allowing Mexican trucks access beyond the 20-mile commercial restriction zone after the Bush Administration’s original pilot project was cancelled in 2009.

The Obama administration was pressured by business groups to launch a new program when Mexico retaliated with over 100 tariffs on U.S. exports.

Under the program, Mexican carriers and drivers would be required to comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations, related to safety, immigration, vehicle registration and taxation.

Other requirements include:

• Mexican carriers participating in the phased-in pilot must earn a satisfactory rating after a compliance review by FMCSA after 18 months of operation and have no pending enforcement actions to earn permanent authority in the program.

• Mexican truckers that participated in previous demonstration project between 2007-2008 would receive credit for that time.

• Motor carriers would be required to maintain a valid Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance decal on each vehicle, which would need to pass emissions control standards.

• Drivers must be able to read and speak English and understand traffic signs and signals in English.

Like Canadian cross-border carriers, Mexican truckers will be subject to cabotage requirements and restricted from point-to-point transportation.

The American Trucking Associations welcomed the news.

While ATA expressed concerns about the U.S. government’s earlier proposal to pay for and provide electronic onboard recorders to Mexican trucks, DOT has changed this specific requirement to allow for GPS systems to also be used for tracking purposes to ensure compliance, ATA said.

"We believe this is a sound change by the administration."

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, a vocal opponent of the Mexican truck proposal, called the proposal "irresponsible and reckless."

Once the notice is published in the Federal Register (likely this week), the public will have 30 days to submit comments.