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.
Vehicles Registered Under IRP
If your vehicle will be:
- Operated point to point within Virginia, and
- Operated across state lines in interstate commerce, and
- 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:
- The vehicle is currently titled in Virginia
- You have the title in your possession, and
- 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
- Operating Authority Type: Common Carrier - Regular Route
License Plate Types:- Common Carrier (E) For Hire
- Permanent Common Carrier (E) For Hire
- 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
- Operating Authority Type: Contract Passenger
License Plate Types: - Operating Authority Type: Employee Hauler
License Plate Types: - Operating Authority Type: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Provider
License Plate Type:- Designated Non-Emergency Medical Transportation For-Hire
- Operating Authority Type: Non-Profit/Tax Exempt Passenger
License Plate Types: - Operating Authority Type: Sightseeing
License Plate Types: - Operating Authority Type: Taxicab
License Plate Types:
License Plates for Property Carriers
- 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)
- 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)