Once fully implemented, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will impact
cross-border traffic. It will allow
Mexican commercial vehicles to travel in the United States if they meet all
local, state and federal requirements. A moratorium, imposed by the U.S.
Department of Transportation (USDOT), has been in effect since December 1995.
When the cross border moratorium is lifted, this means that Mexican commercial
vehicle operators will be able to travel in the United States.
Mexican vehicles that stay within the border commercial zones do not need
additional registration. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
will issue operating authority for both border zone carriers and those that
operate beyond the border.
If the Mexican commercial vehicle (truck, truck tractor, trailer,
semitrailer, or passenger motor bus) stays within the designated commercial
trade zone, additional Texas registration is not necessary. However, these
vehicles are required to have current registration and valid license plates from
Mexico to enter Texas.
Mexican vehicles also need to display the Secretaria de Comunicaciones y
Transportes (SCT) windshield sticker and a USDOT permit to be legal. For
information on the USDOT permit, call the Motor Carrier Division at (800)
299-1700, Option 8.
Once NAFTA is fully implemented, additional registration is required for
Mexican motor carriers that travel beyond the commercial trade zones. Mexican
vehicles, when traveling on Texas highways that go beyond the border commercial
zones, are required to have one of three registration permits:
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Qualifications for a NAFTA
annual permit |
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The NAFTA annual permit is legal Texas registration for
foreign commercial motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers
that are not authorized to travel on Texas highways for lack
of registration, or the country or state where the vehicle
is registered does not have a reciprocal agreement with the
State of Texas. The cost is based on the gross weight of the
vehicle.An applicant from any foreign country may
purchase a NAFTA annual permit. However, NAFTA annual
permits should not be issued to Mexican commercial vehicles
for traveling outside the border zones until the U.S.
Department of Transportation lifts the border moratorium.
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Size/Weight Limitations for
a Foreign Vehicle |
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The same limitations apply to foreign vehicles and Texas vehicles. No vehicle or
combination of vehicles, including the load being carried, shall exceed a gross
weight of 80,000 pounds, except those vehicles operated under special
oversize/overweight permits otherwise authorized by law.A TxDOT booklet
entitled "General Information Covering Commercial Vehicle Operation in Texas" is
available through the VTR regional offices.
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Weight Increases |
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The weight can be raised on NAFTA annual permits up to the legal maximum weight
limit in Texas. In order to raise the weight, the applicant would present the
current annual permit receipt along with a new NAFTA Texas Annual Registration
Permit Application, Form
VTR-29-NAFTA, showing the new weight desired.
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Fees for a NAFTA Annual
Permit |
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The fees for a NAFTA annual permit are based on the vehicle's registration
class. For example, if an applicant purchased a NAFTA annual permit for a truck
tractor with a combined gross weight of 80,000 lbs., the fee would be the same
as for a truck with a gross weight of 80,000 lbs. displaying a combination plate
- US $840.30.If a NAFTA annual permit is sold for a diesel truck, the
11-percent diesel fee is collected. NAFTA annual permits are not subject to the
local county road and bridge fees or child safety fees.
The applicant for a NAFTA annual permit is not required to provide proof of
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax if the vehicle weighs 55,000 lbs. or more.
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Availability of NAFTA
Annual Permits |
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The NAFTA annual permit is available from the VTR regional offices and the
following border county tax assessor-collector offices: Brazoria, Brewster,
Brown, Cameron, Culberson, Ector, El Paso, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis,
Kinney, Lubbock, Maverick, Midland, Montgomery, Nueces, Presidio, San Patricio,
Starr, Tarrant, Travis, Val Verde, Victoria, Webb and Williamson.
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How to Obtain a NAFTA
Annual Permit |
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Interested parties must:
- submit a completed NAFTA Texas Annual Registration Permit
Application,
Form VTR-29-NAFTA;
- provide proof of insurance as required by Texas Transportation Code,
Chapter 502, Subchapter G. All policies written for the operation of
commercial motor vehicles must be issued by an insurance company or surety
company authorized to write motor vehicle liability insurance in Texas;
- if applicant is a registered motor carrier through TxDOT's Motor Carrier
Division, a current registration listing indicating that the vehicle is in
compliance; and
- pay required fees in cash, postal money order or certified check.
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Insurance Requirements for
a Mexican Commercial Vehicle That Will be in Texas for 24 - 48 Hours |
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All financial responsibility requirements applying to the
vehicle must be satisfied.
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Registration Insignia |
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For trucks and truck tractors, applicants will receive a NAFTA permit
license receipt, annual permit windshield validation sticker, and NAFTA annual
permit license plate. This sticker is designed with a black border and should be
displayed in the lower left corner of the windshield.
For trailers or semitrailers, applicants will receive a validated NAFTA
annual permit license plate, and a NAFTA annual permit license receipt. A
receipt is issued for each annual permit as evidence of registration and must be
carried in the vehicle during the time the NAFTA permit is valid. If the receipt
is lost or destroyed, the owner must obtain a duplicate from the department. The
fee for a duplicate receipt is US $2.
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Replacement NAFTA Annual
Permit Plates and/or Windshield Validation Stickers |
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The vehicle owner should apply directly to the department or
county tax office in writing for the issuance of a
replacement NAFTA annual permit. Such request should include
a copy of the registration receipt and replacement fee.
The fee for a replacement NAFTA annual permit plate or
windshield validation sticker is US $5.30.
Transfers not allowed. NAFTA annual permits are
non-transferable between vehicles and/or owners. If the
owner of a vehicle displaying a NAFTA annual permit sells or
disposes of the vehicle during the time the permit is valid,
the permit should be returned to the department immediately.
Refunds on NAFTA annual permits will be examined on a
case-by-case basis.
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Exceptions to the NAFTA
Annual Permit Requirement |
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TxDOT will not issue a NAFTA annual permit to a vehicle used
to import citrus fruit into Texas from a foreign country
except for foreign export or processing for foreign export.
Foreign semitrailers in excess of 6,000 lbs. gross weight
and operated in combination with foreign power units
registered with NAFTA annual permits are exempt from the
display of the Token Trailer plate, and subsequently, the
$15.30 token fee. However, the semitrailers must display
current license plates. If the trailer is unregistered, or
displays an expired plate, a NAFTA annual permit must be
issued so the trailer displays valid registration.
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Temporary Registration
Using 72-hour or 144-hour Permits |
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The 72-hour and 144-hour permits provide full temporary
registration for movement of commercial vehicles, trailers,
semitrailers, and motor buses owned by residents of the
United States, Canada or Mexico.The permits are available
at the VTR regional offices, the state's county tax
assessor-collector offices, and by contacting TxDOT's Motor
Carrier Division at (800) 299-1700. A completed application,
proof of insurance, and fees are required for these permits.
A 72-hour permit costs US $25, and a 144-hour permit costs
US $50, by payment of cash, postal money order or certified
check. The Motor Carrier Division accepts a wire transfer or
escrow account for qualified customers. Note: Permits are
only valid in the commercial zone for Foreign Motor
Carriers.
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Exemptions |
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A foreign commercial vehicle is exempt from Chapter 502,
Texas Transportation Code, and Chapter 548, Transportation
Code, relating to inspection certificates or emissions
inspections, including a law providing for a temporary
registration permit, if:
- The vehicle is engaged solely in transportation of cargo across the
border into or from a border commercial zone;
- For each load of cargo transported the vehicle remains in this
state:
- not more than 24 hours, or
- not more than 48 hours, if the vehicle is unable to leave this
state within 24 hours because of circumstances beyond the control of
the motor carrier operating the vehicle; and all financial
responsibility requirements applying to the vehicle are satisfied;
the vehicle is registered and licensed as required by the law of
another state or country as evidenced by a valid metal license plate
attached to the front or rear of the exterior of the vehicle; and
the country in which the person that owns or controls the vehicle is
domiciled or is a citizen provides a reciprocal exemption for
commercial motor vehicles owned or controlled by residents of this
state.
Until the border opens, commercial vehicles are permitted to operate only
within specified zones of cities located along the contiguous border with
Mexico. The border commercial zones for the United States/Mexico ports of entry
in Texas are based on the number of miles from the city limit boundaries and are
based on the population of the city. The boundaries of a border commercial zone
may be modified or established only as provided by federal law.
| Texas City |
Population |
Travel Miles
Allowed from
City Limits Boundaries |
| Del Rio |
30,705 |
6 |
| Eagle Pass |
20,651 |
4 |
| El Paso |
592,400 |
15 |
| Fabens |
1,599 |
3 |
| Laredo |
126,300 |
8 |
| Presidio |
3,072 |
4 |
| Brownsville |
266,600 |
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| Hidalgo |
384,800 |
* |
| Rio Grande City |
9,891 |
* |
| Progresso |
1,951 |
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| Roma |
8,059 |
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* These cities are located in the border commercial
zone of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties. Therefore,
mileage or population does not mandate the zone limits. |
NAFTA does not affect the current registration requirements for passenger
cars, pickup trucks (not exceeding 2,000 pounds manufactured rated carrying
capacity) and trailers and semitrailers (not exceeding 4,000 pounds gross
weight). These vehicles will continue to be operated according to the paired
city understandings with the Mexican States of Coahuila and Chihuahua and the
bilateral understanding with the Mexican State of Tamaulipas.
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Bus Operations from Mexico
to Texas |
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Charter buses may obtain US $5 One-Trip Permits to operate
into or through Texas. Motor and private buses may operate
to and from Texas terminals of cities listed in the border
commercial zones, provided such buses are operating a
through service into and from the interior of Mexico.
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Trailer License Plates |
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All foreign commercial motor vehicles, primarily engaged in
transporting cargo across the border into or from a border
commercial zone, must be registered in Texas or operated
under the exemption noted above.
All foreign commercial motor vehicles operating within the border commercial
zone must display one of the following types of registration on the
semi-trailer:
- Current foreign registration, including current Mexican registration
- NAFTA annual permit trailer permit
- 72-hour permit
- 144-hour permit
Contact one of the VTR regional offices located within the border commercial
zone to purchase a NAFTA annual permit trailer permit, a 72-hour permit, or
144-hour permit.
NAFTA annual permits cannot be purchased for apprehended vehicles and will be
required to pay registration fees and a 20 percent penalty at the county tax
assessor-collector's office.
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125 East 11th Street . Austin, Texas 78701 
