Commercial Vehicle Section

Phone:
(916) 843-3400

Address:
P.O. Box 942898
Sacramento , CA 94298-0001

Hours:
Monday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Commercial Motor Carrier Safety Unit Area Information

Click here to contact your local Motor Carrier Safety Unit (MCSU) or Commercial Unit (CU) for questions regarding motor carrier profiles or for area specific questions.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance

CVSA Emergency Declarations Portal -  Stay up to date with Emergency Declarations throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. 

Motor Carrier Property Permit

  • Click here to renew your Motor Carrier Property Permit.
  • Click here to lookup active Motor Carrier Permits.
  • Click here for Motor Carrier Property Permit frequently asked questions.
  • Click here to voluntarily withdraw your Motor Carrier Property Permit.

NOTE: Section 34623 (h) of the California Vehicle Code states “ A motor carrier of property may not operate a commercial motor vehicle on any public highway in this state during any period its motor carrier of property permit is suspended pursuant to this division.”

Unified Carrier Registration

Click here to renew your Unified Carrier Registration (UCR).

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

  • Click here for information on how to apply for a USDOT number.
  • Click here for information on how to update your USDOT number.
  • Click here for Data Quality Challenges.

Our Mission

The mission of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California.  An indispensable component of that mission is an effective and proactive commercial vehicle safety and enforcement program.  The large presence of commercial vehicles in this state results in approximately 30 million miles of travel every day.  For that reason, the CHP has established a goal of preventing the loss of life, injuries, and property damage through an innovative commercial vehicle safety program.  This program encompasses enforcement, education, and partnerships to minimize the disastrous results from collisions involving commercial vehicles.  The CHP’s Commercial Vehicle Section provides assistance regarding the safe operation and enforcement of commercial vehicles.

Federal Title VI Compliance Admonition

Carrier Inspection Results

The California Highway Patrol provides the public with information regarding the outcome of motor carrier and terminal safety inspections performed in the State of California.  To access carrier safety inspection results, click on the Carrier Inspection Results link under Programs and Services, on the right.  Please use the parameters provided to search for the motor carrier for which you wish to view inspection results.  Once results of the search are returned, click on the plus sign (+) next to the CA / MCP # and you will be redirected to safety inspection results for the motor carrier.

Child Safety Alert System

Pursuant to Section 28160(c) of the California Vehicle Code, a list of frequently asked questions regarding the Child Safety Alert System (CSAS) has been provided below.  Additional information pertaining to CSAS is found in Section 1294 of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations.

Regulatory Actions

Please visit the CHP Regulatory Actions web page for recently proposed or adopted regulations affecting the operation of commercial vehicles within California.

Forms

Forms

The forms below are in PDF format and may not display correctly when using certain web browsers.  Please ensure you are using the latest versions of those browsers and have the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat® Reader installed on your computer.  Acrobat® Reader is a free download available at Adobe Site External link.

If you are having difficulty viewing a form within a browser, right-click on the desired link and choose “Save link as...” or "Save file as..." from the pop-up menu.  When the dialog box appears, click on the Desktop icon or a directory of your choice and click the Save button. Once the PDF is saved to your computer,  you can either double-click or right-click and choose “Open with” to view the file in Adobe Acrobat® Reader.

Commercial Vehicles

Commercial Vehicles
Hazardous Materials

  1. Are pickup trucks required to stop at CHP weigh stations?

    ​​Section 2813 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) requires every driver of a commercial vehicle to stop and submit the vehicle for an inspection at any location where members of the CHP are conducting inspections and where signs are displayed requiring them to stop. Pickup trucks are included in this requirement, unless a sign specifically states “no pickups.”

    Section 471 CVC defines a pickup truck as a motor truck with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 11,500 pounds, an unladen weight of less than 8,001 pounds, and that is equipped with an open box-type bed not exceeding 9 feet in length. A “pickup truck” does not include a motor vehicle—otherwise meeting the above definition—that is equipped with a bed-mounted storage compartment unit commonly called a “utility body.”

  2. Does my semitrailer need side skirts?

    ​Trailer side skirts and other aerodynamic devices are a greenhouse gas emission requirement regulated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Information is available on the CARB tractor-trailer greenhouse gas web page. You can also call (866) 634-3735 for more information.

  3. How do I get a Commercial Citation signed off?

    ​Contact your local CHP Area Office for availabilty and appointments.

  4. How do I request a correction on a commercial vehicle inspection conducted by the CHP?

    ​Corrections to inspections must be requested by using the DataQs process. The DataQs process is administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and must be submitted through the FMCSA DataQs web page.

  5. ​Corrections to inspections must be requested by using the DataQs process. The DataQs process is administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and must be submitted through the FMCSA DataQs web page.

    For information on this topic, please contact our Commercial Vehicle Section at:

    California Highway Patrol
    Commercial Vehicle Section/062
    P.O. Box 942898
    Sacramento, CA  94298-0001
    (916) 843-3400

  6. I have a truck tractor equipped with an engine manufactured prior to 2007. Do I need a permit to enter California with my older truck tractor?

    ​Emissions standards are regulated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Information is available on the the CARB Diesel Truck Information web page. You can also call (866) 634-3735 for more information .

  7. If I’m driving a rental truck, do I need to enter the scales?

    ​YES, provided the scales are open.

  8. Is my vehicle registered properly for the weight I’m carrying?

    ​If your truck weighs 10,001 lbs or more, follow this link: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/forms/reg/reg4008,
    complete the form, and turn it into the DMV.

  9. What vehicles need to enter the scales?

    ​Any vehicle that is placarded with haz-mat & all trucks except “pick-up trucks” as defined in §471 of the California Vehicle code.

  10. What’s a “CA #” & how do I apply for it?

    ​This link can answer all of those questions:

    https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vehindustry/mcp/mcpfaq.

  11. Where can I obtain commercial driver's license information?

    ​Driver's licenses are issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Please visit the DMV Commercial Driver License Information web page for more information.

  12. Where can I obtain current road condition information?

    ​The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) road condition telephone hotline is (800) 427-ROAD (7623). Please visit the Caltrans Highway Conditions Information web page for more information.

  13. Where can I obtain information about commercial vehicle size limitations?

    ​Size limitations for vehicles operating on public roads are outlined in the California Vehicle Code. The California Department of Transportation is responsible for the issuance of permits for extralegal loads. Permit information is available on the Caltrans Legal Truck Access web page.

  14. Where can I obtain information about the transportation of hazardous waste?

    ​Hazardous waste is regulated by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Information is available on the DTSC Hazardous Waste web page.

  15. Where can I obtain information about the transportation of inedible kitchen grease?

    ​Inedible kitchen grease (IKG) is regulated by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Information is available on the CDFA Inedible Kitchen Grease Program web page.

  16. Where can I obtain information about the transportation of regulated medical waste?

    ​Medical waste is regulated by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Information is available on the CDPH Medical Waste Transporters web page.

  17. Where can I obtain information about vehicle registration?

    ​​Vehicle registration is issued by the the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Please visit the DMV Vehicle Registration web page for more information.

  18. Where can I obtain information on the use of tire chains?

    ​The California Department of Transportation has several web pages which provide information on the use of tire chains and traction devices:

  19. Which model year trucks comply with California emissions regulations?

    ​Emissions standards are regulated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Information is available on the the CARB Diesel Truck Information web page. You can also call (866) 634-3735 for more information.

  20. Will California be adopting the new federal drivers' Hours of Service rules which are now applicable to interstate drivers? If so, how will the new rules affect intrastate drivers (those not subject to the new federal regulations)?

    ​California Vehicle Code Section 34501.2 requires the California Highway Patrol to adopt drivers' hours of service regulations for both interstate and intrastate drivers, which are consistent with the hours of service regulations adopted by the United States Department of Transportation (Part 395 of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations). Currently, there is a moratorium on the implementation of new regulations. In the interim, intrastate drivers may continue to operate under current hours of service regulations contained in Title 13, California Code of Regulations.

    Upon adopting the new federal rules, intrastate drivers will still be allowed to operate within the federal "tolerance guidelines" in 49 CFR 350.341, which continues to provide extended on-duty and driving hours for intrastate drivers.