During 2000, federal and state inspectors performed approximately 97,000 inspections of vehicles engaged in cross-border operations. At present, Mexican commercial trucking companies can apply for authority to operate in commercial zones associated with municipalities along the United States-Mexico border. Approximately 8,500 companies currently have such authority. The Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1984 confined most Mexican motor carriers to these border commercial zones as defined by the former Interstate Commerce Commission. In fact, its width varies, but in only two commercial zones does it extend further than 25 miles into the United States.
Commercial zones exist throughout the United States.
They originally were established for economic regulation. All commercial vehicles operating in the United States, foreign and domestic, must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and all other requirements applicable to U.S. carriers.