Cross-border trucking: FAST, TDG, and the border

This page covers what's different about cross-border driving. For the Class 1/AZ licence itself, MELT hours by province, and air brake endorsements, see our licensing hub and licence cost breakdown -- this page doesn't repeat that content.

What is the FAST program?

FAST (Free and Secure Trade) is a joint Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program for pre-approved, low-risk commercial drivers and shipments. Approved drivers get access to dedicated FAST lanes at some crossings -- CBSA lists Sarnia/Port Huron, Pacific Highway/Blaine, Fort Erie, Emerson, and Windsor/Detroit as locations with dedicated lanes. The non-refundable processing fee for drivers is US$50, and a driver's FAST membership card is valid for 5 years. To even apply, the carrier, the importer, and the driver generally all need to be enrolled -- CBP notes drivers are enrolled alongside manufacturers, carriers, and importers certified under the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program.

What disqualifies someone from FAST?

CBP's own published eligibility rules (last modified January 6, 2026, as checked) list several grounds for ineligibility. An applicant may not be eligible if they:

• provide false or incomplete information on the application;
• have a criminal conviction, a pending criminal charge, or an outstanding warrant -- explicitly including driving under the influence;
• have a criminal conviction for which they received a pardon from any country;
• have violated customs, immigration, or agriculture regulations in any country;
• are the subject of an ongoing federal, state, or local law-enforcement investigation;
• have been denied the purchase of a firearm; or
• are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation.

You must also be at least 18 and hold a valid driver's licence.

Does a criminal record stop me from entering the US for work at all?

This is a separate question from FAST membership, and the stakes are higher. The United States can treat certain criminal convictions -- a DUI/impaired-driving conviction among them -- as grounds for inadmissibility to the country itself, which would stop a border crossing regardless of FAST status. A person in that position may be able to apply through US Citizenship and Immigration Services for Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant, which grants advance permission to enter despite an inadmissibility. USCIS's own page states the filing fee varies and directs applicants to its current fee schedule rather than a fixed number -- this page could not confirm the exact current fee as of 2026-09-08. Processing can take months. This is a factual summary of the published rule, not legal advice: anyone with a criminal record who needs to cross for work should talk to an immigration lawyer before attempting it, and should never rely on a comparison site (including this one) for guidance on presenting their record at the border.

Do I need a TWIC card?

Almost certainly not, unless a specific delivery takes you into a secured US maritime port facility or onto a vessel. TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) is a US Transportation Security Administration credential required under the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers needing access to secure areas of maritime facilities, not for crossing the border generally. TSA runs a security threat assessment (background check) before issuing one. This page could not confirm the current fee or validity period from tsa.gov as of 2026-09-08 -- check directly if a specific delivery requires one.

What is TDG certification?

Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) training certifies that you're adequately trained for your specific duties handling, transporting, or presenting dangerous goods for shipment, under Part 6 of Transport Canada's TDG Regulations. The certificate is issued by your employer, not a government office -- a self-employed driver can even issue their own, if they have reasonable grounds to believe they're adequately trained. It expires 36 months (3 years) after the date it was issued for road transport (24 months for air transport, which doesn't apply to most drivers). There's no standard government fee since training is delivered by a range of private providers your employer chooses; cost depends entirely on the provider. Without a valid certificate, you can only handle or transport dangerous goods under the direct physical supervision of someone who holds one.

Sources

• CBSA -- FAST program overview (fee, validity, lane locations) — accessed 2026-09-08.
• CBP -- FAST program overview — accessed 2026-09-08.
• CBP -- FAST Eligibility (disqualifying factors) — accessed 2026-09-08, page last modified Jan 6, 2026.
• USCIS -- Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant — accessed 2026-09-08.
• TSA -- TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) — accessed 2026-09-08.
• Transport Canada -- TDG Bulletin: TDG Training (certificate issuance, 36-month expiry) — published February 2021, accessed 2026-09-08.