For-hire carrier authority - Michigan

Intrastate

Companies operating for-hire vehicles intrastate require a certificate based on safety and insurance from the Michigan State Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED). This requirement includes any business operating a commercial motor vehicle, for hire, that transports vehicles intrastate (motor vehicle transporters, towing companies, repossession operations, repair facilities, auto auctions, and dealerships). Authority conditions apply to any commercial vehicles, regardless of weight.

All for-hire carriers with vehicles commercially plated in Michigan, intrastate-only, must file an online application ($100 filing fee) and obtain a cab card and CVED decals ($100 per decal). Vehicle identification (decals) and cab cards are renewed annually.

Interstate carriers also operating for-hire intrastate in Michigan must file an application and obtain intrastate authority. If the carrier is a household goods carrier, the carrier must also purchase CVED decals, mark the vehicles with the decals, carry a copy of the authority, and renew the authority each year with CVED. Carriers applying for household goods authority under contract must also provide a copy of all current complete contracts with the CVED. If a general commodities carrier, decals, cab cards, and annual renewal of the authority is not required (provided the Unified Carrier Registration [UCR] registration and interstate for-hire authority remain in good standing) General commodities carriers will need to carry a copy of the authority in the vehicle and mark the vehicles with their CVED account number.

Certificate holders not filing a renewal application postmarked by December 1 will be notified by the CVED and given an opportunity to file their applications postmarked on or before December 31 on payment of penalty of $50. On or after January 1 a motor carrier delinquent in the payment of fees is prohibited from operating any of its vehicles in this state and must begin the application process over again.

Between July 1 and December 31 the cab card and decal fee is reduced to $50. Household goods carriers cab card and decal fee is $50.

A lease agreement must be submitted for leased vehicles.

Insurance: Intrastate carriers must file insurance with the CVED in the following amounts: $750,000 CSL (non-hazardous) for vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds, and cargo insurance to cover property received; $100,000/300,000 PL; $50,000 PD for vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds; cargo insurance to cover property received.

Intrastate for-hire transporters of new, used, or disabled vehicles are defined as a hazardous material carrier pursuant to 49 CFR 171.8 and 49 CFR 172.101. These carriers are required to have the minimum $1,000,000 public liability and property damage insurance, regardless of the number of vehicles transported. Intrastate carriers must file Forms E and H. (Some commodities are exempt from the cargo insurance provision).

Interstate

Michigan is a participating member of the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCRA). Online registration and fee payment is recommended and available to all carriers at the national UCRA website at ucr.gov.

Refer to Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCRA) for the current fee schedule.

See Regulatory Agencies for address(es).