A ‘Ready Lane’ for Mexico visitors crossing back into the USA is open at the Lukeville, AZ Port of Entry. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, the ‘Ready Lane’ which has RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) began service in May of this year, in order to expedite the border crossing process. CBP encourages visitors who frequently drive across the border, into the USA, to obtain one of the RFID enabled WHIT (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) document such as US Passport, Enhanced Drivers License, or Enhanced Identification Card, or a Trusted Traveler SENTRI, FAST, or NEXUS card to expedite entry, and make crossing the border more efficient. All of the new cards have the RFID technology.

What documents can I use to enter the Ready Lane?
WHTI-compliant, RFID-enabled cards approved by the Department of Homeland Security include: the U.S. Passport Card; the Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL); the Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC); Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST cards); the new Enhanced Permanent Resident Card (PRC) or new Border Crossing Card (BCC).

May I use my RFID-enabled card in the SENTRI/NEXUS lanes?
SENTRI and NEXUS lanes are reserved strictly for the use of SENTRI and NEXUS card holders.

May I use my SENTRI/NEXUS card in the Ready Lane?
Yes. Trusted Travelers may use any vehicle primary lane including the Ready Lane.

Can my family or friends travel in the Ready Lane with me if they do not have an RFID-enabled card?
No. All travelers in the vehicle over the age of 16 must have an RFID-enabled card to use the Ready Lane.

Will I be penalized or lose my RFID-enabled card if I mistakenly enter the Ready Lane?
Travelers should only enter the Ready Lane with the appropriate RFID-enabled travel cards to avoid a possible delay as CBP officers work to ascertain identity and citizenship.

Is there an age restriction to use the Ready Lane?
Adult passengers (16 years and older) in the vehicle must have an RFID-enabled card to use the Ready Lane.

If I have an RFID-enabled card but my child or children do not, am I still permitted to use the Ready Lane?
Yes. Children 15 years old and younger may travel in the Ready Lane with adult travelers if all adults in the vehicle have an RFID-enabled card.

What do I do with my card while I am in the lane?
Stop at the beginning of the lane and make sure each passenger has an RFID-enabled travel card out. When it is your turn, drive slowly through the lane and hold all cards up on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Stop at the officer’s booth.

Where do I point my card?
While driving through the lane, you and all passengers should hold travel documents up so that the flat face of the cards show through any window on the “driver’s side” of the vehicle.

What do I do if someone in my car cannot hold their card?
Hold multiple cards up in a fan so that each card is visible and can be read by the RFID reader. Do not stack multiple cards.

Where do I get an RFID-enabled WHTI-compliant card?
U.S. Passport Cards can be obtained through the Department of State.