California Motor Carrier Permit Filing Assistance  ·  (415) 373-4200  ·  Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM CST
Federal Applications Processor — Hoffenmer MCP Permit ·  California MCP Filing
(415) 373-4200
★ California DMV  ·  CHP  ·  MCP Program

California
Motor Carrier Permit.
Filed Correctly.

The California MCP is required before any commercial vehicle operates for compensation on state highways. Federal Applications Processor — Hoffenmer manages the complete filing — USDOT, CA# coordination, insurance compliance, EPN enrollment, and Form submission.

Call (415) 373-4200
Not sure where to start? Speak with a specialist
(415) 373-4200
American semi truck on California highway
CVC
§34620 — Required
Required Before OperationsMCP must be in hand before any commercial vehicle operates for compensation — CVC §34620
12-Month Permit TermBegins 1st day of application month · Interstate carriers receive non-expiring MCP
$300K–$5M Insurance RequiredLiability coverage filed on Form MC 65 M · CVC §34631
Misdemeanor if Non-CompliantUp to $2,500 fine + vehicle impoundment · CVC §34623
Filing Requirements

What’s Required to Obtain the California MCP

The MCP will not be issued by the California DMV until all items below are completed and verified. The sequence reflects the required order — USDOT and CA# must precede the MCP application.

1
USDOT Number — FMCSA

Required before CHP will issue a CA#. Registered with FMCSA MCS-150 with company, fleet, and operational data. Processed same or next business day in most cases.

FMCSA · Form MCS-150 Step 1 of 5
2
CA# from California Highway Patrol

Motor Carrier Profile submitted to the nearest CHP Motor Carrier Safety Unit. The CA# is the MCP number displayed on commercial vehicles. Must be obtained before the DMV MCP application is filed.

CVC §34507.5 Step 2 of 5
3
Liability Insurance — Form MC 65 M & Workers’ Compensation

Certificate of Insurance on Form MC 65 M filed by the insurance provider directly with the California DMV. Coverage: $300,000–$5,000,000 CSL depending on vehicle type and property transported. Workers’ compensation proof or a signed exemption on Form MC 706 M is also required.

CVC §34631 · CCR §220.06 · California Labor Code §3700 Step 3 of 5
4
EPN Requester Code (CDL Employer Carriers Only)

Carriers employing Class A, Class B, or hazmat-endorsed Class C CDL drivers must enroll in the Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program and provide the Requester Code on the MCP application. Owner/operators (one power unit, up to three towed vehicles) are exempt — DMV acts as their employer for EPN purposes.

CVC §15278 · CA DMV EPN Program Step 4 of 5 (if applicable)
5
Application for MCP — Form + Carrier Inspection Fee

Completed Application for Motor Carrier Permit (Form MC 706 M) submitted online or by mail to the DMV MCP Operations Unit in Sacramento, along with the Carrier Inspection Fee (CIF) based on fleet size. All new applicants are auto-enrolled in the Basic Inspection of Terminals (BIT) program. Allow up to 30 days for MCP issuance by mail.

CVC §34620 · CA DMV MCP Operations Unit Step 5 of 5
Option 1 — Call Direct
Speak with a Filing Specialist

A specialist is available to confirm which registrations apply to the operation, answer questions about the MCP process, and initiate filing immediately. No automated systems.

(415) 373-4200 Monday – Friday  ·  9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Option 2 — Submit Online
File the Application Now

Complete the MCP filing application online. A specialist reviews every submission and follows up within one business day to confirm details and initiate the filing process.

Who Must Apply

Carriers Required to Hold a California MCP

Per California Vehicle Code §34601 and §34620, the following operator types must hold a valid Motor Carrier Permit before commencing commercial operations on California public highways.

Carrier Type MCP Required Authority
For-hire carriers — any vehicle size Required Yes — any person paid to transport property in any vehicle, including motorcycle couriers CVC §34601
Private carriers — 10,001 lbs+ GVWR Required Yes — any commercial vehicle with GVWR of 10,001 lbs or more, regardless of for-hire status CVC §34500
Hazardous materials carriers Required Yes — any vehicle transporting placardable hazardous materials under California or federal regulations CVC §34500
CDL-required vehicles & combinations >40 ft Required Yes — vehicles requiring a Commercial Driver License; truck/trailer combinations exceeding 40 feet when coupled CVC §34500(d)
Out-of-state carriers (pickup AND delivery in CA) Required Yes — must obtain MCP in addition to federal USDOT Number, MC Authority, and current UCR registration Caltrans · CVC §34601
Owner/operators (1 power unit, ≤3 towed) Required Yes — required; exempt from EPN Requester Code. DMV acts as employer for EPN purposes. CVC §34601 · EPN
Pickup trucks <11,500 lbs GVWR, non-commercial Exempt Exempt if operated in non-commercial use with open box bed ≤9 feet and unladen weight under 8,001 lbs CVC §34501(a)
Non-Compliance

Penalties — Operating Without a Valid MCP

California Vehicle Code §34623 establishes the following penalties for carriers operating a commercial vehicle without a valid Motor Carrier Permit.

Misdemeanor — CVC §34623

Fine up to $2,500 and/or imprisonment in county jail for up to 90 days. May also be subject to civil penalty assessments by the California DMV.

CVC §34623
Vehicle Impoundment

CHP is authorized to immediately impound the vehicle upon discovery of operation without a valid MCP. All impoundment and storage costs are the carrier’s responsibility.

Lapsed Permit — Back Fees

Carriers with a lapsed MCP who continue operations are subject to back fees and assessments. Reinstatement requires full resolution of all outstanding amounts before the MCP is reissued.

Out-of-Service Orders

CHP inspectors may place vehicles and drivers out of service immediately upon discovering operation without a valid MCP, halting all commercial operations on the spot.

Ready to File the California MCP?

Federal Applications Processor — Hoffenmer handles every step — USDOT registration, CA# coordination with CHP, insurance compliance, EPN enrollment, and Form submission to the California DMV.

(415) 373-4200
dothelp@hoffenmer.com