At U.S. Customs and Border Protection, we are dedicated to finding new ways to get travelers safely and efficiently across the border. That's why we are launching the Ready Lane, for travelers holding RFID-enabled, WHTI- compliant cards. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology allows information contained in a wireless "tag" to be read from a distance; enables officers to more quickly, reliably and accurately process travelers. With Ready Lane, crossing the border is now simpler and more convenient than ever before.

What is a Ready Lane?
Ready Lane is a dedicated primary vehicle lane for travelers entering the U.S. at land border ports of entry. Travelers who obtain and travel with a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) enabled travel document may receive the benefits of utilizing a Ready Lane to expedite the inspection process while crossing the border.

Ready Lanes are operational at the following ports of entry. Please check with your local crossing on hours of operation.

Blaine, WA - Peace Arch
Brownsville, TX - Gateway Bridge
Buffalo, NY – Peace Bridge and Rainbow Bridge
Calexico East, CA
Del Rio, TX
Detroit, MI - Ambassador Bridge
Douglas, AZ
Eagle Pass, TX – Bridge 1
El Paso, TX - Bridge of the America’s, Paso Del Norte, Ysleta-Zaragoza Bridge
Hidalgo, TX
Laredo, TX – Lincoln-Juarez Bridge
Lukeville, AZ
Lynden, WA
Nogales, AZ - DeConcini
Pharr, TX
Port Huron, MI
Progreso, TX - Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge
San Diego, CA – Otay Mesa, San Ysidro
San Luis, AZ

Please check back as additional Ready Lanes will be opening in the near future.

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 (Global Entry, 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, NEXUS and Global Entry card holders

May I use my Global Entry/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.

How do I know which is the Ready Lane?
When approaching a port of entry, stay alert for signage and/or officer direction.

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.

NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST cards can be obtained through CBP at www.CBP.gov.

Global Entry cards can be obtained at www.GlobalEntry.gov.

Enhanced Driver's Licenses can be obtained from a local DMV or government office in the states of New York, Washington, Vermont, and Michigan, as well as in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Manitoba.