What is a CA number?
California requires that all commercial motor vehicles with a GVW of over 10,000 pounds obtain California Motor Vehicle Permit Number and display the number (known as a CA number) in permanent lettering on the vehicle. The official company name (the one on your vehicle registration) must also be permanently shown on the door or on the box of the truck.
A motor carrier permit is a document issued by DMV. The permit is issued as evidence of the registration with the DMV of their Carrier Identification number (CA#), as required by CVC Section 34620.
Additionally, the permit verifies the motor carrier has met all of the statutory requirements to commercially operate motor vehicles on California's highways. The permit contains information specific to the motor carrier (e.g., name, mailing address, CA#, and effective/expiration dates of the permit).
Each company will be given one CA Number which can be used on all of their vehicles.
Your CA Number truck decals should appear on the lower area of your cab doors, with high contrast lettering easily read from 50 feet away. Normally, we recommend using 3 inch bold lettering in easy to read. The name should be mid or upper door area, also in a clearly legible font and large enough to read easily from 50 feet away. You may also include your logo on the door.
We recommend using black or dark colored truck number decals on white or light colored vehicles, and white or light colored decals on darker colored vehicles.