Identification
Federal DOT Number
Before entering the State of California, a trucker must have a federal US Department of Transportation (DOT) Number. As part of the registration process, you must provide your Federal ID number if you are involved in transportation services as a motor carrier.
How To Obtain a US DOT Number
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues USDOT numbers.
General FMCSA phone number: 1-800-832-5660.
Sacramento FMCSA phone number: (916) 930-2760.
How To Locate a Company
To locate a company, view the SAFER - Safety and Fitness Electronic Records System, click on the link "Company Snapshot" in the middle column. Search by USDOT number, MC/MX Number, or company name.
CA Number
In-State Carriers: An in-state carrier operating a commercial vehicle within California must obtain a Motor Carrier Permit, a CA number, and as of September 2016, a US Department of Transportation (DOT) Number.
Out-Of-State Carriers: Some out-of-state carriers must obtain a Motor Carrier Permit and a CA number in addition to the US DOT number to come into California.
The Motor Carrier Permit requires a CA number issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Complete a CHP Motor Carrier Profile to apply for a CA Number. For additional information on CA Numbers, contact the CHP Commercial Records Unit at (916) 843-4150.
Motor Carrier Permit
A Motor Carrier Permit may be obtained from the California Department of Motor Vehicles Motor Carrier Permit.
See DMV instructions and complete a CHP Motor Carrier Profile to apply for a CA Number.
View DMV's Active Motor Carrier List, which includes their CA numbers and liability insurance companies.
Name/Trademark
A commercial vehicle in California must have a name or trademark displayed on both sides of each vehicle, legible from 50 feet during daylight hours, of the person under whose authority the vehicle or combination is being operated or the name of the lessor or lessee. The relevant California Vehicle (CVC) Sections 27900(a) and 27901 are copied below (with bolding added):
27900. (a) Every motor vehicle or combination of vehicles used to carry the property of others for hire or used to carry passengers for hire, any truck or truck tractor having three or more axles or any truck tractor with a semitrailer, and all commercial motor vehicles, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 34601, shall have displayed on both sides of each vehicle or on both sides of one of the vehicles in each combination of vehicles the name or trademark of the person under whose authority the vehicle or combination of vehicles is being operated.
27901. The display of the name or trademark shall be in letters in sharp contrast to the background and shall be of such size, shape, and color as to be readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet. This section does not prohibit additional displays not inconsistent with this article.
For more information on name or trademark displays, contact the Commercial Vehicle Section of the CHP at (916) 843-3400.