Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Jan. 12, 2026:
- Tennessee wants citizenship/legal status documentation from thousands of CDL holders.
- Cameras instead of mirrors? German company requests exemption.
- PacLease’s big 2025.
Tennessee asking 8,800 CDL holders for citizenship, legal presence documentation
Tennessee officials are alerting roughly 8,800 CDL holders that they need to provide citizenship or lawful presence documentation in order to keep their licenses.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is updating older records to comply with updated federal CDL regulations, which are currently on hold due to a lawsuit. As reported in Overdrive's July report examining each state's non-domiciled CDL practices, Tennessee requires Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident status for all CDL applicants. The state does not accept I-94 work authorizations from non-citizens.
Approximately 8,800 of Tennessee’s 150,000 CDL holders will receive a notice by mail requesting documentation that was not required when the licenses were originally issued.
As a result of President Trump’s executive order, Tennessee identified older files that need to be updated under the current federal and state standards.
Affected drivers will receive a letter by mail that explains which documents are acceptable and how to submit them. Only one valid document is needed to complete the record update. No action is needed by drivers who do not receive a letter. By law, the updates must be completed in person at a state driver services center.
“This action is designed to ensure that all CDL records meet today’s state and federal requirements and are in line with the Presidential directive,” said Russell Shoup, Assistant Commissioner of the Driver Services Division. “Drivers whose files predate modern documentation rules will receive instructions on how to complete their records. We appreciate the cooperation of Tennessee’s commercial driving community.”
[Related: North Carolina could lose $48M in federal funding for non-domiciled CDL issues]
German automotive tech supplier requests waiver to replace truck mirrors with cameras
German truck tech supplier Aumovio SE, formerly Continental Automotive division, is petitioning the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for a waiver to allow motor carriers to operate trucks equipped with Aumovio's ProViu Mirror camera monitor system installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
Current regulations require trucks and buses to be equipped with two rear-vision mirrors, one at each side. Aumovio’s system, the company said, provides an “expanded field of view compared to FMVSS 111-compliant mirrors. The system thus improves situational awareness and reduces blind spots.”
The system uses cameras mounted higher on the vehicle and extend less from the side of the vehicle, making them less susceptible to impact damage and road spray. The camera lens also includes hydrophobic coating to reduce soil. Because the display screens are inside the cabin, the company said, environmental conditions that impact the cabin's windows will not adversely affect the driver's view.
In the event the camera-based system malfunctions, becomes damaged, or experiences an environmental condition that could potentially affect safe operation of the vehicle, Aumovio added that the vehicle would be taken out of service and returned after the condition is corrected, in the same manner as a vehicle equipped with traditional mirrors.
If granted the exemption, Aumovio estimated that 50 to 100 vehicles equipped with the ProViu Mirror system will be used initially in proof of concept or demonstration vehicles with certain customers. An estimated 100 drivers would have the opportunity to use the system. Future deployment volumes would then depend on the outcome of those initial demonstration deployments.
FMCSA is accepting comments on Aumovio’s request here through Feb. 9.
A similar exemption is already in place for the Stoneridge company’s MirrorEye system.
[Related: Waiver allowing camera-mirror alternative renewed]
PacLease touts strong 2025 with 17 new locations
Paccar’s full-service truck leasing and rental company PacLease added 17 new locations across the U.S. in 2025. The expansion marks PacLease’s broadest network coverage to date, both domestically and globally, as the company celebrated its 45th anniversary.
Despite a challenging overall lease and rental market in 2025, PacLease outperformed much of the industry, the company said. PacLease franchise groups remained confident in the brand’s long-term growth, continuing to invest in new facilities and expanded geographic coverage.
“PacLease’s success in a difficult market reflects the strength of our franchise network and the value we deliver to customers,” said Ken Roemer, president of Paccar Leasing. “Our customers rely on us for highly customizable and reliable equipment, and the outstanding Kenworth and Peterbilt vehicle lineup allowed our network to meet those demands.”
New PacLease franchise locations added in the U.S. in 2025 include:
- GTG Peterbilt PacLease: Hays, Kansas
- Hunter Peterbilt PacLease: Clearfield; Pittsburgh; and Smithfield, Pennsylvania
- Jackson Group PacLease: Casper; Cheyenne; Riverton; and Rock Springs, Wyoming
- Kenworth Sales Company PacLease: Ashland, Virginia
- Motor Truck PacLease: Mount Joy; Muncy; and York, Pennsylvania
- Southland PacLease: Hammond, Louisiana
- The Pete Store Truck Leasing: Berlin, Connecticut; Chesapeake, Virginia; and Pooler, Georgia
- Truckworx PacLease: Laurel, Mississippi
In addition to network growth, PacLease continued investing in technology to help franchises manage their assets and operations more efficiently, the company added. Tools such as the PacLease Portal provide centralized access to business and fleet information, helping improve decision-making, asset utilization, and customer service.
“As we look ahead to 2026, we expect to see improvement in the overall market,” Roemer added. “PacLease will continue to invest in technology-based transportation solutions that elevate our franchise network, enhance customer service, and support the continued growth of our Kenworth and Peterbilt lease and rental fleet.”
