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  4. For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority

Intrastate Operating Authority Registration - Plate Requirements

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  • For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority
    • Who Must Apply for For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority
    • Apply for a For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority
    • Intrastate Operating Authority Renewal
    • Insurance and Surety Bond Requirements
    • Intrastate Operating Authority Registration - Plate Requirements
    • Contacts
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    • Intrastate Operating Authority Notice Requirements
    • Intrastate Operating Authority - Denial; Suspension/Revocation
    • Common Carrier - Irregular Routes
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    • Contract Passenger Carrier
    • Employee Hauler Carrier
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    • Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Carrier
    • Non-Profit/Tax Exempt Passenger Carrier
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    • Intrastate Operating Authority - Exempt Operations
    • Deactivation of Motor Carrier Fleets
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Any motor carrier that transports passengers or freight point to point within Virginia for compensation must register its vehicles as “for hire.”

To register its vehicles for hire, a motor carrier must first be issued “intrastate operating authority.” However, some carriers may be exempt from operating authority requirements.

See How to Apply for Operating Authority.

Vehicles Registered Under IRP

If your vehicle will be:

  1. Operated point to point within Virginia, AND
  2. Operated across state lines in interstate commerce, AND
  3. Registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP) (apportioned registration)

You must still get intrastate operating authority, and indicate on your registration application that you are operating for-hire.

How To Register a Vehicle as For-Hire

Once you’ve been issued intrastate operating authority, you can apply for for-hire registration in person at any DMV customer service center. Simply follow these steps.

Step 1: Submit Title and Appropriate Application

Depending on the status of your title, you may or may not need to complete a registration application. Determine which of the following apply:

  • If:

    1. The vehicle is currently titled in Virginia
    2. You have the title in your possession, AND
    3. The vehicle is being transferred or sold to a new owner and it needs to be re-titled in the new owner's name

    You DO NOT need an application. Simply complete the appropriate sections of the title.

  • If the vehicle is currently titled in Virginia and the title is and will remain in your/the current owner's name, complete the Vehicle Registration Application
  • If your vehicle is registered under IRP, complete the IRP 1A  application instead.
  • If the vehicle is currently not titled in Virginia, or you do not have the Virginia title in your possession, complete the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration.
  • If your vehicle is registered under IRP, complete the IRP 1B application instead.

The For-Hire Vehicle Registration Request Form

If you are applying to register a vehicle as for-hire under another carrier’s operating authority, or your vehicle is exempt from operating authority requirements, you must also complete the For-Hire Vehicle Registration Request.

Please submit the request to DMV Motor Carrier Services. We will contact you by the next business day to let you know next steps.

Step 2: Pay the Registration Fees

You must pay an annual “for-hire” fee for each vehicle you use under your operating authority.

  • $3 for passenger carrier vehicles 
  • $10 for property carrier vehicles

The fee will be added to your standard vehicle registration fee, and vehicle registration cards will display your operating authority information. 

Step 3: Get For-Hire License Plates

Unless the vehicle is registered under IRP (in which case you’d get apportioned plates), you must get the type of for-hire license plate that matches your specific operating authority type.

License Plates for Passenger Carriers

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

License Plates for Property Carriers

  1. Operating Authority Type: Household Goods
    License Plate Types:
    • Tractor
    • Tractor Permanent
    • Truck (vehicle weight of 7,501 pounds or more)
    • Truck Permanent (vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more)
    • Truck Handicap
    • Passenger/Property For Hire (vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less)
    • Great Seal For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or less)
    • Scenic For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or less)
  2. Operating Authority Type: Property
    License Plate Types:
    • Tractor
    • Tractor Permanent
    • Truck (vehicle weight of 7,501 pounds or more)
    • Truck Permanent (vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more)
    • Truck Handicap
    • Tow Truck For Hire
    • Permanent Tow Truck For Hire
    • Passenger/Property For Hire (vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less)
    • Great Seal For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or less)
    • Scenic For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or less)

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