California State Permits

For motor carriers and their drivers to ship cargo in California they need the proper certification. These documents are not only essential to track safety and compliance; they are mandatory to start operating.

CA Number (CA#)

The CA Number (CA#) is a number used by the CHP to identify motor carriers. If your motor carrier is based in California, you are required to have a CA number. This permit verifies the motor carrier has met all legal requirements to drive on California’s highways.

Each vehicle in a motor carrier’s fleet will bear the same CA number, even if it operates in a different class. For instance, a truck transporting hazardous materials will have the same CA number as another carrying another type of cargo.

Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program

The Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program is managed by the California DMV and allows employers to view the driving records of employees. Whenever a serious event—like a conviction, accident, suspension, or license revocation—occurs on a monitored record, the information is automatically updated and sent to the employer.

If you employ drivers with Commercial A or B licenses, Class C licenses with endorsements, or drivers who carry ten or more passengers for hire, you are required by the state of California to enroll in the EPN Program. Carrier companies, owner-operators, family members, partners, volunteers, or anyone employed more than 30 days in a 6-month span must be enrolled.

Motor Carrier Permit (MCP)

The Motor Carrier Permit (MCP) is a document issued by the DMV. The MCP is given to a motor carrier as proof that they have registered their CA# with the DMV, as required by CVC Section 34620.

Once your MCP is active, your CA# becomes active and you are legally able to move cargo in California.

If you would like assistance with filing for these permits or if you have any other questions about starting a business in California, you can contact our experts here.