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Intrastate Operating Authority Registration - Plate Requirements

Vehicle Registration

The cab card (registration card) of any vehicle used in your operations that is registered under IRP (apportioned registration), must display VIRGINIA as one of your apportioned jurisdictions. Additionally, if the vehicle is registered in Virginia, it must be registered as "For-Hire".

All other vehicles you use under your operating authority must be registered in Virginia and must be registered as being operated "For-Hire".

Unless the service you are providing or the commodity you are carrying is Exempt, you will be required to obtain Operating Authority from DMV in order to qualify for for-hire vehicle registration. Please refer to For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority Exempt Operations for a description of Exempt operations.

Before registering a vehicle to operate for hire, determine which of the following apply:

  1. The vehicle is currently titled in Virginia; and you have the Virginia title in your possession. In addition, the vehicle is being transferred or sold to a new owner; and it needs to re-titled in the new owner's name. In this case, you do not need any other form in addition to the title. Complete the appropriate section(s) of the title.
  2. The vehicle is currently titled in Virginia; and the title is and will remain in your/the current owner's name. In this case, complete the "Vehicle Registration Application" (form VSA 14).
  3. The vehicle is currently not titled in Virginia or you do not have the Virginia title in your possession. In this case, complete the "Application for Certificate of Title and Registration" (form VSA 17A).

If you transport passengers and indicate that your vehicle is leased to a person or company that has Operating Authority, or your vehicle is Exempt from Operating Authority requirements, you will also be required to complete the "For-Hire Vehicle Registration Request" ( form MCS 115). This form can only be processed by the Motor Carrier Services department at DMV Headquarters. By the next business day, you will be contacted by Motor Carrier Services and advised that either you have received pre-authorization to complete the vehicle registration transaction at your preferred DMV service outlet, or that there are other items that must be completed and/or provided in order to qualify for for-hire vehicle registration.

Operating Authority Registration

Vehicles registered under IRP (apportioned registration) are required to obtain Intrastate Operating Authority, unless they are exempt. However, they are not required to be issued Intrastate Operating Authority registrations.

For all other vehicles, the vehicle registration cards will display your operating authority information. You must pay an operating authority registration fee for each vehicle you use under your operating authority. The fee is $3 for passenger carrier vehicles and $10 for property carrier vehicles. The fee will be included in your vehicle registration fee.

For-Hire License Plates

Except for vehicles registered under IRP (apportioned registration), the vehicles used under your operating authority must be issued license plates that are appropriate for the type of operating authority you hold. The following is a list of the type(s) of license plates that you can obtain for each authority type.

License Plates for Passenger Carriers

  1. Operating Authority Type: Common Carrier - Regular Route
    License Plate Type(s):
    • Common Carrier (E) For Hire
    • Permanent Common Carrier (E) For Hire
  2. Operating Authority Type: Common Carrier - Irregular Route
    License Plate Type(s):
  3. Operating Authority Type: Contract Passenger
    License Plate Type(s):
  4. Operating Authority Type: Employee Hauler
    License Plate Type(s):
  5. Operating Authority Type: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Provider
    License Plate Type(s):
    • Designated Non-Emergency Medical Transportation For-Hire
  6. Operating Authority Type: Non-Profit/Tax Exempt Passenger
    License Plate Type(s):
  7. Operating Authority Type: Sight Seeing
    License Plate Type(s):
  8. Operating Authority Type: Taxicab
    License Plate Type(s):

License Plates for Property Carriers

  1. Operating Authority Type: Household Goods
    License Plate Type(s):
  2. Operating Authority Type: Bulk Property
    License Plate Type(s):
  3. Operating Authority Type: Property
    License Plate Type(s):