Tennessee Tells 8,000 CDL Holders to Verify Status
April 6 Deadline Set to Prove US Citizenship or Legal Residence
Key Takeaways:
- Tennessee is one of only a few states that does not issue non-domiciled commercial driver licenses.
- The deadline to provide required documentation is April 6
- . CDL holders who miss the deadline will have their CDLs downgraded to a noncommercial driver license until proof is provided.
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Tennessee is asking 8,000 commercial driver license holders to provide proof of citizenship after an audit by the state’s .
This decision is to ensure the state complies with federal rules requiring all CDL records to include proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residence because “many long-standing CDL holders obtained their licenses before these requirements were in place,” according to the Tennessee DSHS.
Tennessee notified the public on Jan. 8 that the state is updating its older CDL records to .
Of the 150,000 truckers with Tennessee-issued CDLs, some 8,000 will receive a notice by mail requesting documentation regarding citizenship or lawful U.S. residence since this proof was not required when the state issued those CDLs.
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“We’re encouraged to see Tennessee taking proactive steps to ensure its records meet current requirements and protect the integrity of the commercial driver license program,” noted CEO Donna England. “If a driver does not receive a letter, no action is required. However, drivers who are contacted should act promptly by bringing acceptable documentation to a Driver Services Center before the deadline to avoid their CDL being downgraded.”
RELATED: North Carolina CDL violations mirror those of other states
Only one valid document is needed to complete the record update, and a personal appearance at a state Driver Services Center is required.
“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. Drivers whose files predate modern documentation rules will receive instructions on how to complete their records,” said Russell Shoup, assistant commissioner of the Driver Services Division. “We appreciate the cooperation of Tennessee’s commercial driving community.”
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The deadline to provide is April 6. CDL holders who miss that deadline will have their CDLs downgraded to a noncommercial driver license until proof is provided.
Tennessee is among a handful of states including Arkansas and Mississippi that do not issue non-domiciled CDLs.
Voicing support to calls nationwide to improve professionalism and safety in the trucking industry, England has noted that Tennessee is among the few states in the nation to actively monitor entry-level driver training schools to ensure compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations.
“In May, the Tennessee Highway Patrol signed a 287(g) Memorandum of Understanding with ICE, strengthening its ability to enforce federal immigration laws,” England added. “Tennessee has also become one of the nation’s leading states in English-language proficiency enforcement, placing 482 drivers out of service for ELP violations as of Oct. 31, ranking third in the country behind Texas and Wyoming.”
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