Truck   Permits

Companies that operate commercial vehicles transporting passengers or hauling cargo in interstate commerce must be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT Number. Also, commercial intrastate hazardous materials carriers who haul types and quantities requiring a safety permit must register for a USDOT Number.

The USDOT Number serves as a unique identifier when collecting and monitoring a company's safety information acquired during audits, compliance reviews, crash investigations, and inspections.

Companies that do the following are required to have interstate Operating Authority (MC number) in addition to a DOT number:

• Transport passengers in interstate commerce (for a fee or other compensation, whether direct or indirect)

• Transport federally regulated commodities owned by others or arranging for their transport, (for a fee or other compensation, in interstate commerce)

FMCSA operating authority is often identified as an "MC," "FF," or "MX" number, depending on the type of authority that is granted. Unlike the USDOT Number application process, a company may need to obtain multiple operating authorities to support its planned business operations. Operating Authority dictates the type of operation a company may run and the cargo it may carry.

The Motor Carrier Permit requires a CA number:

In-State Carriers: A commercial vehicle operated only within the state of California must obtain a Motor Carrier Permit, a CA number, and as of September 2016 a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Number as well. 

Out-Of-State Carriers: Some out-of-state carriers must obtain a Motor Carrier Permit and a CA number in addition to the U.S. DOT number to come into California. 

CA Number Display: Per California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 34507.5, (a) Every motor carrier... shall obtain a carrier identification number ... (b) The carrier identification number assigned to the motor carrier ... shall be displayed on both sides of each vehicle, or on both sides of at least one motor vehicle in each combination ...

If you use your commercial vehicle in two or more jurisdictions (states), you can save money on registration fees with the IRP.

The IRP is an option for registering commercial vehicles that allows for multi-jurisdiction (interstate) operation under a single registration plate and registration certificate (cab card) issued by your “base” jurisdiction. When you register a commercial vehicle in the IRP, you pay pro-rated (apportioned) fees based on the percentage of highway mileage traveled in each jurisdiction.

If you own a qualified motor vehicle in California, you must register for IFTA filing in the state. A qualified motor vehicle is a motor vehicle used, designed, or maintained to transport persons or property having:

• Two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds or 11,797 kilograms; or

• Having three or more axles regardless of weight; or

• It is used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds or 11,797 kilograms gross vehicle or registered gross vehicle weight.

Qualified Motor Vehicles do not include recreational vehicles unless they are used in conjunction with any business endeavor. Recreational vehicles are vehicles such as motor homes, pickup trucks with attached campers, and buses used exclusively for personal pleasure by an individual.

Truckers that plan to haul through Kentucky, New Mexico, New York, or Oregon are required to have specific weight distance permits.