How to Get a TCP License

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

A valid Transportation Charter Permit (TCP) is needed for charter vehicles to operate legally in the state of California. Charter-party carriers are pre-arranged ground transportation with a driver that charge a fare based on mileage and time, rather than the number of individuals in the vehicle. TCPs are issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Prior to filling out an application packet with the CPUC, you will need to attend to paperwork with the California Secretary of State's office, the Department  of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Preparing to Apply

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your company is classified as either a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Corporation, you will need to file with the California Secretary of State's office to receive a Statement of Information and Articles of Incorporation (Corp) or Articles of Organization (LLC). [1]
    • These documents will be required in your TCP application process.
    • The fees for the Statement of Information and Articles of Incorporation equal 125 dollars. The fee for the Articles of Organization is 70 dollars.
  2. Go to https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_ to access the application forms for an EPN requester code. The requester code is added to the driver’s licenses of your employees and allows you to monitor their driving records. [2]
    • Your requester code will be required in your TCP application packet.
    • It can take up to 6 weeks to receive your requester code.
    Advertisement
  3. This step is only required if you plan on operating vehicles that seat 11 passengers or more. Contact the California Highway Patrol to schedule an inspection. After the inspection, you will be given a CA#.
    • CHP inspection fees are approximately 15 dollars per vehicle.
  4. You will not be able to finalize your insurance until you are given a TCP number. However, it is important to be prepared for the cost of insurance as it can have a substantial impact on your business plan. Find suitable insurers through the CPUC website.
    • Insurance tends to cost significantly more if you seek a TCP permit without a vehicle, as opposed to including your vehicle information with your application.
    • You are required to carry public liability and property damage insurance. For more information about the insurance requirements, go to the CPUC website.
    • If you have employees, you must also have workers’ compensation insurance on file with the CPUC.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Applying for Your TCP

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to the CPUC website and print the application packet. Use the checklist provided to make sure you include everything required. This will include the nonrefundable application fee of 1000 dollars.
    • Your application will be reviewed within two weeks of being received. If your application is missing any required forms, you will receive a deficiency letter in the mail. Check your mail thoroughly to make sure you don’t miss this letter.
    • Submitting an application and getting a file number does not give you authority to operate. Only active authority allows you to operate.
    • Don’t submit an application until you are committed to meeting all requirements and able to begin operation within 3 months.
    • If you apply for an "A" certificate, which allows you to operate round-trip sightseeing tours and charge individual fares while doing so, your application fee will increase to 1500 dollars.
  2. The License Section of the CPUC will require insurance information and the vin number and vehicle registration for each vehicle in your fleet.
    • Once you have turned in your TCP application packet and have been assigned a number, you can finalize your insurance.
  3. If you operate chartered vehicles that can carry more than 16 people, you are required to establish a drug testing program that includes a test before a driver can be hired, and random testing while employed. This program is overseen by the CHP, but is compliant with mandates from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). [3]
    • Substances that are tested for include: marijuana metabolites, cocaine metabolites, amphetamines, opiate metabolites, and phencyclidine (commonly referred to as PCP).
    • Consult the list of drug and alcohol testing consultants provided on the CPUC website.
  4. Each airport has its own requirements regarding licensing. To obtain a permit from Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), for example, you are required to submit 7 documents, 1 of which is your TCP. The application fee for LAWA is 150 dollars annually. [4]
  5. Once you have been granted active authority on your TCP permit, make sure the number is displayed on business cards, in all of your company’s advertising, and on each of the vehicles in your fleet.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • During this process, make sure you are checking your mail often and going through it thoroughly. It is easy to miss important documents, which can set you back in the process and cause you to lose money in application fees.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Find a Drivers License Number
      How to
      Check Your Driver's License Status
      How to
      Pass a New York State Road Test
      How to
      Get Around While Your License Is Suspended
      How to
      Appeal a License Suspension
      How to
      Find Out if Your License Is Suspended (USA)
      How to
      Get a School Bus Driver's License
      How to
      Get a Learner's Driving License in Bangladesh
      How to
      Convert an Eu Driving License to the UK
      How to
      Get a CDL License in New York
      Can You Legally Drive without a License?
      A Step-By-Step Guide to Acquiring a CDL (Commercial Driver's License)
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/forms/
      2. ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/vehindustry/epn/epngeninfo
      3. ↑ https://www.chp.ca.gov/CommercialVehicleSectionSite/Documents/P%20chp800j.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.lawa.org/-/media/lawa-web/group-and--division/files/lawa-airport-operations/form-gt-117_application-instructions-and-checklist_021218.ashx?la=en&hash=2516F973BF503AB7A4EC797772E844768230D614

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 90,231 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Michael Collantes

        Sep 10, 2018

        "I used to have a class A license. After reading the information in this article, now I can go back on the road ..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement