Transportation Licensing and Analysis Branch (TLAB)

TLAB helps ensure that passenger carriers operate safely in California while protecting the public and promoting fair competition. We grant or deny authorities to operate in the State of California in compliance with state laws and engage stakeholders in the Commission's development of transportation rules and regulations.

Recent Licensing Updates

Advice Letter Filings

For general rules on Advice Letter filings, General Order (G.O.) 96-B governs advice letters and information-only submittals to the Commission.

Advice Letters (AL) must be numbered in sequential order. For questions regarding the next available AL number, send a request for information via email to TNCAccess@cpuc.ca.gov and provide your company name and assigned PSG number.

The Advice Letter including all supporting documents must be submitted via e-mail to TNCaccess@cpuc.ca.gov.

The cut off time to be considered filed the same day as submitted is 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST).

The document requirements for filing Advice Letters include a cover letter and a summary form, as described in more detail in the links below.

New Transportation Carrier Portal (TCPortal)

Starting June 21, 2021, passenger carriers will manage their permits/certificates and make requests to the CPUC using the new Transportation Carrier Portal (TCPortal).

Link to the TCPortal, Link to the TCPortal Information Page, Link to the TCPortal Help & FAQs Page

Existing active carriers that have an operating permit/certificate with the CPUC will receive an email from tcportal@cpuc.ca.gov to access their accounts.
New applicants will use the TCPortal to start and submit an application.

Licensing staff will continue to answer inquires sent to licensing@cpuc.ca.gov.

No Passenger Carrier Walk-Ins at 505 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco as of March 19, 2020

As of March 19, 2020, the License Section will NOT accept walk-ins at 505 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. If you are submitting documents in response to a Deficiency Letter, all documents must be submitted via e-mail to the analyst assigned. You can also email your inquiries to Licensing@cpuc.ca.gov.

Alert on Scams

The CPUC is aware that active carriers and new applicants for a permit or certificate from the CPUC are being contacted by unknown people outside the CPUC. The call looks like it is coming from a CPUC phone number and the caller claims to be a CPUC employee. The caller states that additional money ($100-$2,000) must be paid by wire transfer, over the phone with a credit or debit card, or with iTunes gift cards, or the application (or current permit or certificate) will be suspended or denied. This is a scam! The CPUC does not place telephone calls to solicit extra funds to complete new applications or renewals, or to demand additional quarterly or annual fees. If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the CPUC, do not, under any circumstances, provide any information over the phone to the caller. You may contact the CPUC License Section at licensing@cpuc.ca.gov to verify the legitimate issue outstanding. You may also report the call, any information provided by the caller, and your observations to law enforcement. For more information, refer to the “Telephone Scam Alert Notification” post.

For More Licensing News and Updates

Charter-Party Carrier (TCP)

Charter-Party Carrier (TCP) covers passenger carriers that perform charter service, round trip sightseeing, or passenger transportation under Commission authority. Carriers can obtain specific permits or certificates applicable to their services to the public.

Charter-Party Carrier

Passenger Stage Corporation (PSC) & Vessel Common Carrier (VCC)

Passenger Stage Corporation (PSC) are passenger carriers that transport passengers between points on an individual fare basis. Vessel Common Carriers (VCC) are passenger carriers that transport persons or property between points within the state by water. Both PSC and VCC must go through the formal filing process with the Commission for approval of operations.

PSC and VCC

Transportation Network Companies (TNC)

Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) provide prearranged transportation services for compensation using an online-enabled application or platform (such as smart phone apps) to connect drivers using their personal vehicles with passengers.

Transportation Network Companies

Autonomous Vehicles (AV)

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) have been authorized for testing and deployment in passenger service by charter-party carriers (TCPs) who also possess the required authority from DMV for AV testing or deployment on public roads in California.

Autonomous Vehicles