FAST Card Application & Renewal for Truck Drivers

Apply or renew through the official Trusted Traveler Programs system, then use this guide to prepare for dual-agency screening and the enrollment interview.

Apply through TTP Renew a FAST card

What do you need to do?

New application

Apply for a FAST card

Submit the online application and non-refundable $50 USD fee through TTP. CBSA's service standard is a decision on interview eligibility within 30 business days of a complete application; interview scheduling is additional.

Open official TTP application
Existing member

Renew your FAST card

You can renew up to one year before expiry. Apply before expiry to keep using program benefits while the renewal is finalized; another interview may be required.

Sign in to renew

Official program facts verified against CBSA and U.S. CBP guidance. TruckerPro is not a government agency and does not process FAST applications.

For fleets & dispatchers

Tracking FAST cards across more than one driver?

A FAST card is one of several credentials that expire quietly on their own schedule — alongside CVOR, medical certificates, and licences. TruckerPro's driver compliance module tracks FAST card, CVOR, medical, and licence expiry for every driver in your fleet, and flags renewals before CBSA or CBP does.

See how TruckerPro tracks driver credentials

What is a FAST card? A FAST (Free and Secure Trade) card is a biometric RFID ID issued to pre-approved commercial truck drivers so they can use dedicated FAST lanes at major Canada–US border crossings.

How to apply (Canada & US): File online through TTP, pay the $50 USD fee, pass dual-agency screening and attend an enrollment interview. CBSA's assessment standard is 30 business days for interview eligibility; appointment availability is additional. Membership is valid for 5 years.

Full lane access needs three parts: FAST-carded driver + C-TPAT/PIP carrier + approved importer. Missing any one sends the truck to standard commercial processing. Track manifests with BorderPro or manage driver credentials in TruckerPro.

What Is a FAST Card? (And the FAST Program)

A FAST card is the driver credential in the broader FAST (Free and Secure Trade) program — a joint Canada-United States initiative that provides expedited border processing for pre-approved, low-risk commercial shipments. FAST combines elements of carrier certification, driver vetting, and importer approval to create a trusted lane at the border where known, low-risk trucks are processed faster.

The program was launched in 2002 as part of the Smart Border Action Plan between Canada and the US. It is managed jointly by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

At major border crossings such as Peace Bridge (Buffalo-Fort Erie), Ambassador Bridge (Detroit-Windsor), Pacific Highway (Blaine-Surrey), and others, dedicated FAST lanes allow qualifying trucks to bypass standard commercial processing queues. During peak hours, the time savings can be substantial — standard processing may take 1-2 hours while FAST processing can be as quick as 30 minutes.

FAST Program Requirements: The Three Components

C-TPAT / PIP Carrier

The trucking company must be C-TPAT certified (for US carriers) or PIP-approved (Partners in Protection, for Canadian carriers). This certifies that the carrier meets supply chain security standards set by CBP or CBSA.

FAST Card Driver

The driver must hold a valid FAST card, which requires passing background checks by both CBP and CBSA. The FAST card is a biometric identification card with an RFID chip, valid for 5 years.

Approved Importer

The importer of the goods must be C-TPAT approved (for US imports) or PIP-approved (for Canadian imports). This ensures that the entire supply chain — carrier, driver, and importer — has been vetted.

All three components must be in place for a truck to use the FAST lane. If any one is missing, the truck must use standard commercial processing.

FAST Card Application Process

Applying for a FAST card involves several steps:

  1. Online application — Submit your application through the CBP Trusted Traveler Programs website (for US-side processing) or the CBSA NEXUS/FAST enrollment system (for Canadian-side processing). Provide personal details, employment history, travel history, and criminal background information.
  2. Background checks — Both CBP and CBSA conduct thorough background checks including criminal history, customs violations, immigration records, and law enforcement databases.
  3. Conditional approval — If your background checks clear, you receive conditional approval and can schedule an in-person interview.
  4. In-person interview — Attend an interview at a designated enrollment center. Bring your passport, proof of employment, and any other required documents. Biometric data (fingerprints and photo) are collected.
  5. Card issuance — If approved, your FAST card is mailed to you. The card is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.

FAST Card Renewal

FAST cards must be renewed every 5 years. You become eligible to renew one year before expiry. An interview may not be required, but the vetting centre makes that decision. If you submit the renewal before expiry, CBP says you may continue using program benefits while the renewal is finalized.

Benefits of the FAST Program

  • Dedicated FAST lanes — Access to expedited processing lanes at major US-Canada border crossings
  • Shorter pre-arrival requirement — FAST shipments may require only 30 minutes of pre-arrival eManifest filing time instead of the standard 1 hour
  • Reduced inspections — FAST-eligible shipments face fewer random inspections
  • Predictable crossing times — Consistent processing times make scheduling and dispatching more reliable
  • Competitive advantage — Shippers increasingly prefer FAST-eligible carriers for time-sensitive freight

Frequently Asked Questions About FAST Cards

A FAST (Free and Secure Trade) card is a border crossing identification card issued to pre-approved, low-risk truck drivers. FAST is a joint Canada-US program that provides dedicated processing lanes at major border crossings. Drivers with FAST cards can use expedited FAST lanes, which significantly reduce wait times compared to standard commercial lanes.

Submit an application through the CBP Trusted Traveler Programs website or the CBSA NEXUS/FAST enrollment system. The application requires personal information, employment history, travel history, and criminal background details. After online submission, attend an in-person interview at an enrollment center where biometric data is collected.

Requirements include citizenship or permanent residence in Canada or the US, no criminal convictions, no customs or immigration violations, valid travel documents, and employment as a commercial truck driver. The driver's carrier must also be C-TPAT certified or PIP-approved. Both CBP and CBSA conduct background checks.

The non-refundable FAST North or FAST South application fee is $50 USD. The card is valid for five years. Confirm the fee shown in the official TTP checkout before submitting.

CBSA's service standard is a decision on eligibility to proceed to the interview stage within 30 business days of a complete application. Interview scheduling and card delivery take additional time and depend on appointment availability.

Any commercial truck driver who wants to use FAST lanes needs a FAST card, regardless of nationality. However, the full FAST lane benefit requires all three components: a FAST card for the driver, C-TPAT certification for the carrier, and C-TPAT/PIP approval for the importer. If any component is missing, the truck must use standard processing.

Further reading on BorderPro

BorderPro is the standalone border-clearing product at borderpro.ai — deeper regulatory guides, per-crossing wait-time data, and lane-specific filing notes live there.

Compare BorderPro eManifest Plans

BorderPro is a separate product with a free tier for up to 5 shipments per month; paid plans currently start at $89.95/month. Check the pricing page for current limits and inclusions.

View BorderPro Pricing