What is a Motor Carrier Permit (MCP)?

The Motor Carrier Permit (MCP) is a document issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The purpose of the MCP is to provide proof of a Motor Carrier’s CA# for operating legally on California Highways. MCP verifies that the motor carrier has complied with all the requirements for both registration and insurance. MCP provides specific information about the motor carrier (e.g. name, mailing address, USDOT number, CA# and effective/expiration dates of the permit). MCP term lasts for 12-months. The deadline begins on the first day of the month of application submission and expires on the last day of the 12th month. MCP will not issue until all requirements are met.

Who needs MCP?

• Any person or entity who is paid for transporting property in their motor vehicle, not taking into account the size, type or weight of the vehicle (for-hire carrier).
• Any individual or legal entity operating a motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,001 pounds or more. Also, for business purposes to transport their own property (private carrier).
• Operators of any vehicle or a combination of vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
• Operators of a combination of a motor truck and trailer, semi-trailers, pole or pipe dollies, auxiliary dollies, and logging dollies, in the length of which exceeds forty feet when connected together.  For MCP purposes, a “trailer” excludes camp trailers, utility trailers, and trailer coaches.
• Operators of any motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicle and trailer for which the operation requires a commercial driver license, with the exception of vehicle combinations, including camp trailers, utility trailers, and trailer coaches.

Who does not need a permit?

• Vehicles operated by household goods and/or passenger carriers.
• Vehicles operated by household goods carriers to transport used office, warehouse, and office furniture. Fixtures when operated under a household goods carrier permit.
• Pickup trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 11,500 pounds, carried out weight of less than 8,001 pounds, and equipped with a box-type bed not going over 9 feet in length when operating in non-commercial circumstances.
• Utility trailers, camp trailers, or trailer coaches.
• Vehicles providing transportation of passengers only, a passenger stage corporation transporting luggage and express on a passenger vehicle related to the transportation of passengers.
• Vehicles used for personal use only and gross vehicle weight rating does not exceed 10,000 pounds.
• Two-axle daily rental trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds for non-commercial use.
• Vehicles are exempt from vehicle registration fees.

When the DMV Suspend/Revoke a Permit? 

DMV can suspend/revoke Motor Carrier Permit and here are the reasons:

• Failure to comply with CSAT federal law requirements.
• Failure to make copies of CSAT results and other records available to CHP.
• Knowingly leasing, operating, dispatching, or otherwise utilizing vehicles from a carrier whose motor carrier permit is suspended. In addition, when the suspension deals mainly or partially with the inability of the motor carrier to maintain any vehicle in a safe operating condition.
• Failure to enroll in the EPN program.
• Suspension and/or revocation of the driver’s license of the owner-operator.
• Failure to maintain liability and/or worker’s’ compensation insurance.

If you operate with one of the conditions, mentioned above, you will receive a misdemeanor. The fine is punishable by up to $2,500 or by imprisonment in a county jail for up to three months, or both. CHP may also consider it necessary to seize your vehicle.

Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing

For obtaining Motor Carrier Permit (MCP), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires compliance with the Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing Program (CSAT). As an employer, you must identify drivers who use drugs or alcohol while at work. The employer must ensure that no employee drives the vehicle until it successfully completes the rehabilitation and return to work program. All owner-operators must comply with CSAT.

The test requires a urine sample for drug testing, as well as a breath test for alcohol.

A business can get a test if:

- testing before hiring;

- reasonable suspicion testing;

- testing after an accident;

- random testing.

Controlled substances include marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates and PCP (phencyclidine). Drinking alcohol during or within 4 hours before driving a commercial vehicle.

How do I obtain an MCP?

DOT Filing will assist you to obtain MCP. But before that, we will help you get USDOT number,  and EPN(if required)  to be able to apply for MCP! Call us today 818-568-0644 and get free consultation!