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Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP)

Last updated 14 July 2026

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This article is part of the Customs Glossary Guide
An example of a CDRP member card.

The Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP) is a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) program for pre-approved commercial drivers entering Canada from the United States. It is used with the Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) program to support faster border processing for low-risk goods, authorized importers, authorized carriers, and approved drivers.[1]

CDRP is a Canada-focused program. The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a joint Canada-U.S. initiative that can provide dedicated-lane and expedited processing benefits in both countries where available and where program requirements are met.[2]


How CDRP Fits with CSA

The CSA program is built around three approved parties:

  • A CSA-approved importer
  • A CSA-approved carrier
  • A registered driver, through either CDRP or FAST

CBSA states that CSA-approved importers and carriers must use a registered driver to carry CSA-eligible goods into Canada and to use the CSA clearance process.[3] Commercial drivers can be approved under either the Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP) or the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program.[3]

CBSA's FAST guidance also explains that, to benefit from FAST lanes or booths when entering Canada, the importers and carriers must be both Partners in Protection (PIP) and CSA members, the drivers must be FAST or CDRP approved, and the load must consist of eligible goods from the United States or Mexico.[2]

CDRP and FAST

CDRP
A CBSA program for commercial drivers entering Canada. It supports CSA clearance and faster processing into Canada for eligible drivers and shipments.
FAST
A joint Canada-U.S. trusted-traveller and commercial clearance program. FAST can provide dedicated-lane and processing benefits into both Canada and the United States where the driver, carrier, importer, and goods meet the program requirements.

A driver may choose CDRP when the driver's commercial activity is focused on entry into Canada or when FAST benefits are not needed. The right program depends on the driver's citizenship or residence, admissibility, carrier, importer, and route requirements.

Eligibility and Application

CBSA states that Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and U.S. citizens or permanent residents who meet visitor requirements, may apply for CDRP.[1] To qualify, an applicant must complete the application process, be admissible to Canada, and have no criminal record that has not been pardoned.[1]

Current application instructions and required personal information are provided on CBSA's CDRP application page.[4] CDRP members are responsible for maintaining their membership and following CBSA requirements, including carrying the required identification and complying with program rules when crossing the border.

Common Uses

CSA Clearance into Canada
A CDRP-registered driver can carry CSA-eligible goods for a CSA-approved carrier and importer when the other CSA requirements are met.
Canadian Entry Benefits
CDRP can help eligible drivers receive faster border processing into Canada for qualifying CSA shipments.
Carrier Dispatch Planning
Carriers need to know whether a driver is CDRP-registered or FAST-approved before assigning the driver to a CSA shipment. If the driver is not registered under either program, the shipment cannot move under the CSA driver stream.
FAST Lane Use into Canada
In some cases, a CDRP-approved driver may use FAST lane benefits when returning to Canada if the carrier and shipment meet the applicable Canadian FAST and CSA requirements.[3]

Usage in BorderConnect

For carriers using BorderConnect ACI eManifest software, the driver's CDRP or FAST status is useful for dispatch planning and CSA shipment compliance. The physical card and official CBSA authorization remain what matters at the border.

BorderConnect users may need to confirm a driver's CDRP or FAST status before creating or dispatching a CSA shipment. This helps make sure the selected driver is eligible for the CSA clearance stream before the truck arrives at the Canadian border.

When planning a CSA shipment in BorderConnect, dispatchers should confirm:

  • The importer is CSA-approved
  • The carrier is CSA-approved
  • The driver is registered under CDRP or FAST
  • The goods are eligible for CSA clearance
  • The port and lane being used support the required process

CDRP is not a replacement for the ACI eManifest itself. If the shipment requires ACI reporting, the carrier must still transmit accurate and complete cargo and conveyance data to CBSA before arrival.

Carrier Notes

CDRP and FAST status should be checked before assigning the driver to the load, not at the border. If the driver is not properly registered, the carrier may need to change the shipment type, assign a different driver, or use a different release process.

Carriers should keep driver records up to date and avoid relying on expired or unconfirmed trusted-trader cards. The driver should carry the required identification and be prepared to present it to CBSA when requested.

See also

Official Resources

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Canada Border Services Agency, Commercial Driver Registration Program.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Canada Border Services Agency, Free and Secure Trade - Expansion Recommendation Report – Executive Summary.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Canada Border Services Agency, Customs Self-Assessment Program - Drivers.
  4. ↑ Canada Border Services Agency, Commercial Driver Registration Program application process.
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