After the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) announced an administrative simplification in federal trucking procedures , published on July 2 in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) , representatives of the sector expressed skepticism about the real impact of these measures.
Although the document proposes merging processes, reducing requirements , and eliminating a formality, industry organizations maintain that the essence of the bureaucracy remains intact.
What appears to be a modernization on paper doesn’t change the dynamics of overcrowded offices, duplicate requirements, and delays that paralyze units in practice.
“What they’re doing is merging procedures just to change their names. They’re no longer saying ‘individual person’ or ‘legal entity’, but now simply saying ‘permission for this,'” said Claudio Gallegos Pérez , vice president of interinstitutional affairs for the National Confederation of Mexican Transporters ( Conatram) .
For him, the announcement remains superficial and does not address the backlogs in the administration of procedures.
“A simple withdrawal should be done overnight. It’s taking at least a week,” he noted, also noting how more complex procedures can be especially slow.
The National Association of Motor Transport Representatives (ANRA) also questioned the measure. Its president, Eucario Reyes Carmona , warned that some points of the agreement even contradict current legislation.
“In some points, what they wrote now doesn’t match what’s written… or what the regulations and the law currently in force require,” Reyes said.
One of the most sensitive issues is the reduction in minimum insurance policy amounts. “Would 800,000 or 900,000 pesos be enough to cover the damages to the 42 people? Right?” Reyes asked, referring to accidents involving passengers.
Added to these legal loopholes are the usual operational problems: lack of supplies, staff shortages, inability to schedule appointments, and the lack of digitalization of key processes.
“Why all this technology?” Claudio Gallegos asked. “Why do you have to be physically entering the country? Do you have to take the risk of carrying original documents?”
The frustration continues: the measure is limited only to issuing permits, without affecting other critical processes such as registrations, connectivity, or renewals.
“This refers solely and exclusively to the issuance of permits. It doesn’t mention registrations. It doesn’t mention any other procedures,” Eucario Reyes insisted.
At the beginning of June, according to Reyes, the number of pending procedures was enormous; the number of license plate applications alone exceeded 7,800 , more than double the usual average. This means that at least 180 services related to this procedure are put on hold every day .
The impact not only translates into economic losses, but also into a feeling of helplessness that permeates the entire industry.
While authorities talk about regulatory improvements, system users continue to face waiting days or months to complete a procedure. “The pain is the same. And solutions remain elusive,” Gallegos concluded.
Comment and follow us on X: @karinaquintero / @GrupoT21
