Commercial Vehicle Instructions
Commercial Vehicles Operating in California
Prior to applying for a CA number you MUST first contact the FMCSA - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and apply for a federal USDOT number.
Step 1
GET A USDOT #
https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov/UrsRegistrationWizard/
Once you have been issued a Federal USDOT number, be sure to include it in section 6 of the CHP 362 “Application for CA number.” CHP will NOT PROCESS applications that do not have a “valid” Federal DOT number issued to the applying carrier entered on the application.
Step 2
Application for CA #
Click CHP 362 PDF to download.
Be sure to include a contact name and number, as well as the address where you will be parking your vehicle (Terminal address.) Applications that are not verified over the phone will be discarded.
Step 3
Motor Carrier Permit (Operating Authority)
Click MC 706 PDF to download.
Once you have completed your CA application, you can call in your local office to get it over the phone. You are now ready to apply for your MCP. Make sure to include your CA number on every page of the application. Keep in mind that this application will need to be mailed to Sacramento and may take several weeks to process.
Once your CA & USDOT NUMBERS are assigned; Stop by the shop to purchase your DECALS. Your shipment will arrive in just a few days and you will be ready to hit the road.
Helpful Links:
PART 392—DRIVING OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&=PART&n=pt49.5.392
PART 390—FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS; GENERAL