California Motor carrier Permit (CA/MCP)

The Carrier Identification number (CA#) (Also known as a California DOT Number) is issued exclusively by the California Highway Patrol as part of their Biennial Inspection of Terminals (BIT) Program and is used as the Motor Carrier Permit number. The permit is issued to the carrier as evidence of registration with the DMV of their CA#, as required by CVC Section 34620. The permit verifies the carrier has met all of the requirements to  operate commercial motor vehicles on California’s roads. The permit contains information specific to the carrier like name, mailing address, CA number, and effective/expiration dates of the permit.

• Any person or business entity that is paid to transport property in their motor vehicle regardless of vehicle size or weight. Those who transport property for pay are deemed a ‘For-Hire’ motor carrier.
• Any person or business entity operating a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more, either for business or personal use. Persons operating such vehicles are deemed a ‘Private’ motor carrier.

No. The single point of contact for all matters related to the MCP program is the Registration Operations Division located at DMV Headquarters in Sacramento, California. The MCP Operations Unit is not open to the public.

A Seasonal MCP, commonly referred to as a Seasonal Permit, can be issued to an intrastate motor carrier operating on a “For-Hire” basis for a period of no less than six months, but no more than 11 months in a 12 month term.

Seasonal carrier fees are based on the size of the fleet and are comprised of the Safety Fee plus one twelfth of the Uniform Business License Tax (UBLT) for each month the MCP is valid, along with the full Carrier Inspection Fee (CIF). Seasonal carriers will pay the CIF only once in their seasonal term. Extensions can be requested for a fee of $5 plus one-twelfth of the UBLT based on the fleet size per additional month of operation in the seasonal term. A seasonal MCP cannot be issued to an Interstate motor carrier.

Under the BIT program, the CHP selects terminals for inspection based on the available carrier performance data or the commodity transported. Carriers must maintain and make available for inspection vehicles and records at the terminal(s) inspected as required by the California Vehicle Code (CVC) §§34501 and 34501.12.

Operating as a motor carrier of property without an MCP is a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than three months, or both. CHP may also confiscate and impound your vehicles. Penalties may also be assessed when applying for an MCP (RTC §7236).

The MCP must be renewed annually by the date of initial purpose unless a non renewal permit has been granted.