Launched in 1980, PacLease began as a way for dealerships to offer more to buyers seeking flexible transportation options. “It enabled these dealerships to better serve their customers – many of which were looking into full-service leasing as a product offering for these specific buyers,” according to a release issued Monday. “That has culminated into nearly 41,000 PACCAR vehicles being in lease or rental service worldwide through PacLease.”

Ken Roemer, President of PACCAR Leasing, reflected on the company’s founding. “In 1980, PacLease was established during a pivotal moment in the trucking industry marked by deregulation, offering customers greater flexibility and control over how they managed their transportation needs,” he said. “It made a lot of sense for our dealerships to join the PacLease network — we started with 17 franchises located across the United States and Canada. While fleets could lease PACCAR products from other full-service leasing companies, we felt a direct connection with Kenworth and Peterbilt dealerships – who could custom-spec a truck for their customer’s exact requirements – would be a differentiator in the marketplace. And, looking back, it certainly has been.”

That momentum has only accelerated over the decades. “And, it hasn’t stopped,” Roemer added. “Today, we’re continuing to touch customers in the U.S., Canada, as well as in Mexico, Australia and Europe. It’s been exciting to see the growth.”

A Network That Keeps Fleets Moving

Today, PacLease supports its global fleet through 665 service locations—540 of them in the U.S. and Canada. That reach plays a critical role in keeping trucks on the road.

“Providing service virtually everywhere has been a key to our sustained growth,” Roemer said. “Our franchises, while independently owned, know the key to great customer service is to treat each customer as if it were their own. If there ever is a problem on the road, a PacLease location is there to offer full support to keep the truck moving.”

Expanding to Meet Today’s Needs

PacLease has continued to evolve alongside the trucking industry. In 2024, the company launched an online Franchise Portal, giving its franchise network access to real-time fleet reports and prognostic information—tools designed to improve uptime and efficiency.

The company also offers contract and managed maintenance programs, helping fleets that run both leased and owned vehicles. “That’s been especially attractive for fleets that have a combination of leased and owned vehicles,” Roemer said. “Trucks continue to evolve in technology, making them more challenging to service for those with their own shops. As a result, more fleets are relying on PacLease to provide that support – saving them time, money, and downtime.”

Built on Quality and People

As PacLease celebrates 45 years, Roemer credits its long-term success to the strength of PACCAR products and the people behind them. “Premium Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF trucks are the hallmark of PACCAR. It’s why the company has been so successful over the years,” he said. “But it also takes a strong, dedicated franchise group to back those products with an unrelenting passion for customer support and service. Great products, backed by great service, is the key to being successful in today’s environment. I couldn’t be prouder of our team, our franchises and our customers of what we’ve achieved in our first 45 years. Our goal remains the same – to be the transportation solutions provider of choice for the full-service lease and rental market.”

Image Source: PacLease
Source: The Trucker

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is undertaking a data collection initiative on behalf of its Truck Leasing Task Force (TLTF) to combat deceptive leasing practices impacting the health and safety of truck drivers. Established as part of a congressional mandate, TLTF is tasked with scrutinizing the terms, conditions, and fairness of truck leasing arrangements between owner-operators and trucking companies.

“Consistent with the above statutory authority, TLTF will also examine financing arrangements among motor carriers, entry-level drivers, driver training providers, and other involved entities, which may result in new drivers entering the trucking workforce encumbered by outsized debt and inequitable terms for repayment and will identify potential illegal practices to law enforcement or regulators, as appropriate,” FMCSA said.

During TLTF’s recent public meeting, they discussed a set of questions aimed at drivers who might have entered into problematic lease contracts or had positive leasing experiences that could provide context on fraudulent or inequitable agreements. The goal is to establish a comprehensive record of data and evidence to better understand these relationships.

“The ultimate goal is to make a series of recommendations for best practices and advice to policymakers on the effects of predatory truck leasing practices on safety, and what can be done about it,” said Steve Viscelli, TLTF member.

Questions directed towards truck drivers/lessees include providing copies of leasing documents and financial product documents associated with their work as a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) lessee. Queries cover aspects such as lease terms, marketing strategies, negotiation possibilities, awareness of financing alternatives, and the impact on finances, employment, health, and safety.

For trucking companies/lessors, questions delve into best practices for ensuring fair leases, specifics on charging drivers and lease-purchase agreement terms, and inquiries about agreements related to emission reduction programs at ports.

Responses to these questions will be shared with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, serving as a technical advisor to TLTF. FMCSA stresses the importance of redacting personal information before submitting leasing documents, as the information will be posted on a public docket.

Comments submitted will be shared with TLTF before its next public meeting, scheduled for the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, in March. This initiative reflects a concerted effort to address concerns related to truck leasing and promote fair and transparent practices within the industry.

Source: Freightwaves

The post FMCSA Wants to See Truck Drivers’ Leasing Agreements appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“Some carriers make them use preferred maintenance places,” said Cullen Jr., an attorney with the Cullen Law Firm. “It means the driver isn’t able to shop around for a better price. Some even go as far as using their own maintenance shop, and the driver is locked into a price.”

The purpose of the Truck Leasing Task Force is to address and prevent predatory lease-purchase agreements within the trucking industry. These agreements involve a carrier leasing a truck to a driver while maintaining significant control over operations. In some cases, drivers have reported owing money to the carrier at the end of pay periods.

The focus of the meeting was on how these agreements impact truck maintenance. Truck drivers operating under such arrangements are entirely dependent on the motor carrier for income while simultaneously making payments on the leased truck. Maintenance often becomes an additional area of deductions for the driver.

Cullen emphasized that at the conclusion of the lease agreement, carriers commonly impose multiple maintenance fees without providing evidence of completion.

“Many carriers concoct deductions at the end to zero out the balance,” he said. “The end of the relationship is often the last insult.”

Jim Jefferson, representing the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, shared a story of a truck driver whose lease-purchase agreement ended unfavorably.

“We have a member who made all of the payments only to find out that he owed $30,000 in maintenance fees and never ended up completing the lease-purchase,” Jefferson said.

Steve Viscelli, an economic sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania and task force member, noted the rarity of drivers under these agreements eventually owning the truck.

“Drivers are making that investment because they believe they are getting equity in the truck and are eventually going to walk away with the truck,” Viscelli said. “But the success rates are really low.”

As a result, truckers invest money in preventive maintenance for a vehicle they are unlikely to own, and costly repairs can trap them in a financial hole.

“No revenue is coming in when the truck is down, but that lease payment is still going, and then there are the repair costs,” he said.

Established through a provision in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Truck Leasing Task Force, now in its third meeting, aims to make recommendations to the FMCSA once it completes its assigned duties.

Source: Land Line

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Established by the Secretary of Transportation in 2022, the TLTF is entrusted with a critical mission – to meticulously examine the terms, conditions, and equitability of prevalent truck leasing arrangements. The focus is particularly on how these arrangements impact owner-operators and trucking businesses that fall under such agreements.

This meeting serves as an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders, industry experts, and the public to engage in discussions and contribute insights regarding truck leasing arrangements. As the trucking landscape evolves, ensuring the fairness and viability of these agreements is paramount. The FMCSA’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity is evident through the open nature of this virtual gathering, allowing a diverse range of perspectives to be considered in shaping the future of truck leasing practices.

In the spirit of collaborative discourse, participants are encouraged to actively engage with the FMCSA, sharing their experiences, concerns, and suggestions related to truck leasing. By fostering open dialogue, the TLTF aims to address pertinent issues and pave the way for equitable and effective truck leasing arrangements that benefit all stakeholders within the industry. If there are specific inquiries about the TLTF, individuals are encouraged to reach out via email to tltf@dot.gov.

Source: Truckers News

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