What to bring
- Business details: legal name, address, EIN or SSN, and the type of operation (for-hire, private carrier, contractor)
- Vehicle information for each commercial vehicle: VIN, GVWR, year, make
- Commercial auto liability insurance information, and workers' compensation coverage or exemption
- Payment for the state fees and our $250 filing fee for the USDOT, CA number and MCP set (cash price; cards add 3.79%)
What it costs
- USDOT registration, CA number and MCP filingThe commercial start-up set, filed together
- $250
All service fees are in addition to the DMV’s own fees, which are the same everywhere and are passed through at cost.
Posted prices are cash prices. Paying by credit card adds a 3.79% convenience fee on the total.
All sales are final. There are no refunds on service fees once processing has begun; DMV and state fees, penalties and third-party charges are non-refundable.
Do I need a USDOT number, a CA number or a Motor Carrier Permit?
Usually all three, and they go in order. The USDOT number is the federal carrier registration with the FMCSA, required for interstate operation and for many intrastate carriers in California. The CA number is a carrier identification number issued by the California Highway Patrol to anyone operating commercial motor vehicles in the state; it's the number painted on the door. The Motor Carrier Permit is issued by the DMV and is required for operators of commercial vehicles above certain weight thresholds and for anyone hauling property for hire. Pickup-and-trailer contractors are surprised by this constantly. We file the set for $250; describe what you drive and what you haul and we'll tell you what applies.
What does the MCP application require?
A CA number, proof of liability insurance at the required level filed with the DMV, proof of workers' compensation or a signed exemption, enrollment in the required inspection or controlled-substance programs where they apply, and the permit fee based on fleet size. The DMV will not issue a permit with a gap in any of those, and a lapsed insurance filing is the most common reason a permit gets suspended. We review the pieces before filing so the application goes through once.
- USDOT number from the FMCSA and CA number from the CHP (we file both)
- Liability insurance certificate filed with the DMV
- Workers' compensation certificate or exemption
- Commercial vehicle registration and weight fees current on each vehicle
- Permit fee based on the number of vehicles
Can you handle the commercial registration too?
Yes. Commercial vehicle registration, weight fees, permanent trailer identification (PTI) for your trailers and additions to a permanent fleet registration are all DMV transactions we process as a business partner. Doing the permit and the registration in one place means the names, addresses and VINs match across every record, which is what keeps a roadside inspection short.
USDOT, CA number & MCP filing: common questions
What is a CA number, and how is it different from a USDOT number?
The CA number is a Carrier Identification number issued by the California Highway Patrol to operators of commercial motor vehicles in California; it must be displayed on the vehicle and is required before applying for a Motor Carrier Permit. The USDOT number is the federal registration with the FMCSA. Ramos Auto Registration Services files USDOT, CA number and MCP together for $250 from its Bakersfield office.
Who needs a California Motor Carrier Permit?
Operators of commercial vehicles above the state's weight threshold and anyone transporting property for hire, including many owner-operators and contractors with heavy trucks or truck-and-trailer combinations. Requirements include a CA number, insurance filed with the DMV and workers' compensation or an exemption. Call (661) 525-3050 and we'll confirm whether your operation needs one.
Do you work with carriers outside Bakersfield?
Yes. USDOT, CA number and MCP filings are paperwork, so we handle them by phone and email for owner-operators and small fleets across California ($250 for the set), and in person at 332 E Norris Rd for Kern County carriers.