| Thousands of men and women drive big rigs in order | | | | States? |
| to get the goods to the stores for us to | | | | Although trucks from Mexico are allowed in the USA, |
| conveniently walk in and buy. They also haul dirty and | | | | it has raised lots of controversy. Even with such |
| other materials for building homes and roads. Just as | | | | resistance, a pilot program was allowed to move |
| each person needs to fulfill basic requirements in | | | | forward in September of 2007. This allowed an initial |
| order to get a traditional driver\'s license, there are | | | | 859 carriers from Mexico to begin entering the United |
| requirements in order to get a commercial driver\'s | | | | States for work. This project is being monitored by |
| license (CDL) to operate a big rig. | | | | the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It is |
| The Department of Transportation requires all CDL | | | | not known if the program will be able to continue as |
| license holders to successfully pass a physical | | | | there is already a motion on the floor of the United |
| completed by a doctor trained in their requirements. | | | | States legislation to bring it to a halt. |
| This physical has to be renewed annually in order for | | | | Under outlined plans only a specific number of trucks |
| the individual to remain in compliance. Since the | | | | would be allowed to enter the United States from |
| terrorist attacks of 09/11/01, those individuals | | | | Mexico. It wouldn\'t be an open door policy as many |
| applying for a CDL also have to be a citizen of the | | | | in the trucking industry have been lead to believe. |
| United States and pass a background check. | | | | The qualifications of the drivers will be carefully |
| There are various ways in which a person can learn | | | | reviewed and the trucks will have to meet inspection |
| how to operate a big rig. Many students enroll in a | | | | requirements for the United States before they can |
| truck driving school. This is a program that lasts for | | | | enter. |
| several weeks and teaches them all the fundamentals | | | | With an agreement the USA is to sign with Mexico, it |
| for both passing the written exam and the driving | | | | is believed that this agreement with Mexico could |
| test. Most students master the rules faster than | | | | result in trucks from the United States being able to |
| they do the driving skills. Instructors watch closely | | | | freely travel into Mexico. This could generate millions |
| and work with students in many areas until they | | | | of dollars in revenue due to the fact that it would |
| master the necessary skills to safely operate a big rig | | | | allow the border to become an area of free trade. |
| on the public highways. | | | | This is likely to be a controversial issue that continues |
| Should Mexican Trucks be allowed in the United | | | | in the political arena for quite some time. |