CA Number Registration

CA Number Registration

Start a transportation business with a CA # dedicated for your company.

You Need CA # if your company:

  • Uses vehicles weighing over gross 10,000 pounds.

  • Requires a California Motor Carrier Permit (MCP)
  • Transports passengers for hire (specifically 9-15 people).
  • Transports more than 15 people for any purpose.
  • Moves hazardous materials of any type.

What is a CA Number?

If you’re new to the transportation industry, you might not be familiar with a CA number. Essentially, CA Numbers are a series of digits serving as an identifier for your company, recognized by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and is necessary for identifying yourself as a California-based commercial vehicle. It is also a required for obtaining a California Motor Carrier Permit (MCP).

The CHP utilizes this number to oversee your company’s safety record and track compliance information gathered from incidents. Whether you’re involved in transporting cargo, passengers, or hazardous materials, obtaining a CA number is essential.

Free DOT Number
usdot mc number

What is a CA DOT Number?

The California Department of Transportation Number (CA DOT) is the same as CA Number, a specific number assigned by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Motor carriers within the state lines of California must have a California DOT Number. You can either choose between an in-state (intrastate) or out-of-state (interstate) carrier.

In-State Carriers (INTRASTATE): Operate commercial vehicles within the state lines of California. Carriers must have a Motor Carrier Permit (MCP), a CA number and a USDOT number.

Out-of-State Carriers (INTERSTATE): Some Out-of-state carriers must have a Motor Carrier Permit and a CA DOT number in addition to the USDOT number to enter California.

Carriers must display the CA # on both sides of each vehicle. (California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 34507.5).

fine

What are the consequences for Non-Compliance?

Operating without an CA Number poses risks to your business. Carriers operating without CA Number may face being put Out of Service. Additionally, companies operating without an CA Number are subject to fines.

Do I Need DOT Number?

California requires USDOT number in order to obtain CA Number. You might be wondering how to determine which type of fleet or vehicle requires a DOT number. There are various rumors suggesting that certain states or companies may be exempt, making it challenging to understand when they are genuinely necessary.

In general, you will need to acquire a USDOT number if you plan to engage in any of the following activities with your company:

  • Uses vehicles weighing over gross 10,000 pounds.
  • Has employees operating commercial vehicles on an interstate.
  • Transports passengers for hire (specifically 9-15 people).
  • Transports more than 15 people for any purpose.
  • Moves hazardous materials of any type.
truck

Do I need a CA Number?

If your company operates solely within California, it’s likely that you’ll need an CA number. Companies operating vehicles of various sizes and transporting different equipment may require multiple operating certifications such as an MC number. Each vehicle will bear the same CA number, even if it operates in a different class. For instance, a truck transporting hazardous materials will have the same CA number, even if its task differs. Here are the list of operations that require a CA Number:

  • Truck – Any truck of three or more axles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 10,000 pounds; any truck tractor regardless of number of axles or GVWR; and any truck used to tow a trailer where the overall length of the truck and trailer coupled together exceeds 40 feet.
  • Hazardous Materials Carrier – Any truck, including pickups, used to transport any amount of hazardous materials.
  • Hazardous Materials Shipper – An individual or company who offers hazardous materials for transportation by common carrier, contract carrier, or motor carrier of property, and never transports hazardous materials in any amount on vehicles owned, rented, leased, or otherwise controlled or operated by the shipper.
  • Hazardous Waste Transporter – An individual or company that transports hazardous wastes as defined in California or federal regulations.
  • Flammable Liquid Cargo Tank – Any tank greater than 120 gallons capacity which is used to transport liquids having a flash point of less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, other than in the regular fuel tank of the vehicle.
  • Bus Without Operating Authority – Any vehicle of more than ten passenger capacity including the driver; the operation of which does not require a certificate, permit, or authority issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). This typically includes, but is not limited to, church or other private buses; and public transit buses operated by city or county transit agencies.
  • Tour Bus – Any bus subject to regulation of; and requires a certificate, permit, or authority issued by; the PUC or the FMSCA.
  • School Bus – The traditional yellow school bus specifically certified by the CHP for transportation of school pupils attending public or private schools.
  • School Pupil Activity Bus – A commercial or transit bus specifically certified by the CHP for use in transporting school pupils on school-sanctioned trips to or from school-related activities under specified conditions, but not including home-to-school or school-to-home route service.
  • Youth Bus – A small bus specifically certified by the CHP for service in transporting school pupils between school and non-school related activities.
  • General Public Paratransit Vehicle – A vehicle operated by or under contract to a transit agency in dial-a-ride, subscription, or routedeviated service; and certified specifically by the CHP for transportation of school pupils to and from schools.
  • Farm Labor Vehicle – A passenger vehicle or truck specifically certified by the CHP for use in transporting farm laborers.
  • Vehicle or combination described in Section 34500(k) VC – Any commercial motor vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds; or any combination of vehicles consisting of a commercial motor vehicle of any GVWR and a trailer with a gross weight or GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds (“Trailer” for this purpose does not include camp trailers, trailer coaches, or utility trailers).
  • Vehicle described in Section 34500(j) VC – Any other motor truck not described in A, B, D, E, or M above; the operation of which is subject to regulation by the DMV through the Motor Carrier of Property Permit requirements, the PUC, or United States Department of Transportation.
  • Modified Limousine – Any vehicle operated for-hire by a charter-party carrier of passengers or a passenger stage corporation which seats not more than ten passengers including the driver, and has been modified, altered, or extended in a manner that increases the overall wheelbase of the vehicle, exceeding the original equipment manufacturer’s published wheelbase for the base year and model of the vehicle, in an amount sufficient to accommodate additional passengers.
GET STARTED

Ready to start you commercial transportation business? Apply today and get your business on the road.

REACTIVATION

Need to reactivate your operating authority? Get started today and put your business back on the road.

UPDATE

Did you make any changes to your business? Get your information update and stay in compliance.

If you need to register your Motor Carrier Permit (MCP) with DMV please click here to navigate to DMV.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a single CA number is sufficient. This number should be displayed on both sides of all your commercial vehicles. CA numbers are assigned to individuals or entities for identification with the CHP and are granted for a lifetime. The term “person” in this context includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, or other business organizations as authorized by state law.
No, CA numbers are non-transferable. They are assigned to specific individuals or entities and cannot be transferred to another person. If there is a change in ownership or structure, a new CA number must be obtained for the new owner or entity.

You can update your business name without obtaining a new CA number as long as there’s no change in ownership and it’s the same business. Just make sure to register the new name with your base state. 

MCP is for providing proof of a Motor Carrier’s CA Number with the DMV. MCP verifies the motor carrier is in compliance with registration and insurance. The MCP provides information regarding the motor carrier (e.g Name, Addresses, CA number, USDOT Number and effective/expiration dates of the permit).