California truck insurance

Hauling across state lines

Interstate for-hire freight needs the federal set: USDOT number, operating authority (MC number), a BMC-91 or BMC-91X filed with FMCSA by your insurer, a BOC-3, and liability of at least $750,000 for general freight in vehicles rated 10,001 lbs GVWR or more. See the new authority guide. California’s own credentials below apply on top when your trucks run in the state.

The Motor Carrier Permit (MCP) and CA number

Under Vehicle Code §34601 you are a “motor carrier of property” — and need an MCP from DMV — if you operate any of these:

• any motor vehicle used to haul property for compensation, whatever its size;
• any motortruck with two or more axles over 10,000 lbs GVWR, even hauling your own goods;
• truck tractors, vehicles hauling hazardous materials, and the other heavy vehicles the CHP regulates.

Household movers are excluded: they are licensed separately by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services.

The order matters. You need a USDOT number first — it goes on the application for the CA number, which the CHP issues — and then you apply for the MCP. DMV will not issue the MCP until the insurance is on file. The application also asks for proof of workers’ compensation or a signed exemption, and an Employer Pull Notice requester code if you employ drivers with a Class A or B license or a Class C license with a hazmat or other endorsement.

California insurance minimums

Motor carriers of property

$750,000 combined single limit — private and for-hire

Only vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVWR

$300,000, if you haul no hazardous materials or bulk petroleum

Hazardous materials

Higher levels — DMV lists requirements up to $5,000,000

Household movers’ cargo

$20,000 (Business and Professions Code §19248)

Your insurer files a Certificate of Insurance (MC 65 M) with DMV. By law it cannot be cancelled on less than 30 days’ written notice to DMV, and the proof has to stay in effect for as long as the permit is active — if it lapses, DMV suspends the permit.

Terminal inspections and CARB

The CHP’s BIT terminal-inspection program (Vehicle Code §34501.12) covers the heavy vehicles listed in §34500 — including trucks with three or more axles over 10,000 lbs GVWR, truck tractors, and commercial vehicles of 26,001 lbs or more or towing a trailer over 10,000 lbs — which can include dump trucks and heavier hot shot combinations.

The Air Resources Board’s Clean Truck Check applies to nearly all diesel and alternative-fuel vehicles over 14,000 lbs GVWR that run on California roads, even if registered elsewhere. DMV places registration holds on non-compliant vehicles, and compliance deadlines from January 1, 2025 require a passing emissions test.

Getting truck insurance quotes in California

• USDOT number, CA number and MCP status (or where you are in the process), plus MC number if you haul interstate.
• For each truck: VIN, year, make, model, number of axles and GVWR — they decide MCP, BIT and the $300,000 or $750,000 level.
• Drivers’ license classes, endorsements and experience.
• For-hire or private, what you haul, and whether any load is hazmat.
• Loss runs from recent insurers, and any contract insurance requirements.

See also the box truck, dump truck and cargo guides.