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

Reminders about Upcoming Coachella (4/14-16, 21-23) and Stagecoach Music Festivals (4/28-30)

In anticipation of the upcoming Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals, and other major events/festivals in California, we are reminding all transportation providers who plan to operate at these events of certain rules and requirements governing intrastate transportation.

Transportation carriers must possess an operating authority in good-standing from CPUC to conduct for-hire intrastate passenger transportation for these events. To apply for a CPUC transportation charter-party (TCP) operating authority, visit https://tcportal.cpuc.ca.gov/s/login/ to begin the online process.
- Obtaining a permit may take up to ninety (90) days.

CPUC-licensed carriers who would be using commercial vehicles or drivers that are not already part of their current operations need to submit their online requests to add vehicles and drivers as soon as possible.
- Coachella takes place on April 14-16 and 21-23. Carriers should submit driver and vehicle changes no later than the second week in March. Please be advised carriers that it could take up to 45 days for CHP to complete their terminal inspection.
For vehicles that seat 11+, carriers need to submit their updates to enable CHP to conduct terminal inspections and to be assured, at a minimum, that the carrier has drivers with commercial DLs to operate these vehicles. For additional vehicles that carriers wish to operate that are not owned by the carrier, in order to operate them, the carrier must provide CPUC with proof of their legal right to possess the vehicle such as a leasing agreement.

All drivers must be subject to the Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing program (either state or federal) and enrolled in the state DMV’s Employer Pull Notice (EPN) database.
Any vehicles in operation under the carrier’s permit must be covered by the carrier’s public liability and property damage (PLPD) insurance policy on-file with CPUC. The required coverage limits depend on the maximum seating capacity of the vehicles in operation.

For more information about applicable rules and requirements, please review CPUC General Order 157-E available online: http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M322/K150/322150628.pdf

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.

Commission Adopted COVID-19 Resolution TL-19131

Effective on August 17, 2020, the Resolution requires all passenger carriers under the Commission's jurisdiction to follow COVID-19 related guidance issued by the CDC and State issued Industry Guidance as well as Public Health Orders issued by the state and local jurisdictions.

The Resolution also extends the suspension period for most suspensions to allow carriers to have more time to reinstate their permits, which may have been suspended due to COVID-19 related issues, and waives the $125 Reinstatement from Revocation fee for the duration of the pandemic.

Link to Resolution, Link to State issued Industry Guidance

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