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".
To apply for for-hire vehicle registration, complete a For-Hire Vehicles Vehicle Registration Application (VSA 123). If you are applying for an original registration or are transferring an existing registration to a different vehicle and the vehicle being registered is owned by or being registered in a name other than the holder of the intrastate operating authority certificate or permit, you must have the lessee (holder of the operating authority certificate or permit) complete the Leased Vehicle Information section of the VSA 123 application. Additionally you must have the insurance company for the holder of the operating authority certificate or permit complete Section B of the Insurance Certification section of the VSA 123.
A $5 per vehicle fee will be added to each vehicle renewal transaction conducted in the DMV Customer Service Center. For IRP registrations, the $5 fee per vehicle will be added unless you are only picking up prepaid credentials.
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
- Operating Authority Type: Common Carrier - Regular Route
License Plate Type(s):- Common Carrier (E) For Hire
- Permanent Common Carrier (E) For Hire
- Operating Authority Type: Common Carrier - Irregular Route
License Plate Type(s):- Passenger/Property For Hire
- Permanent Passenger/Property For Hire
- Great Seal For Hire
- Scenic For Hire
- Operating Authority Type: Contract Bus
License Plate Type(s): - Operating Authority Type: Contract Passenger
License Plate Type(s): - Operating Authority Type: Employee Hauler
License Plate Type(s): - Operating Authority Type: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Provider
License Plate Type(s):- Designated Non-Emergency Medical Transportation For-Hire
- Operating Authority Type: Non-Profit/Tax Exempt Passenger
License Plate Type(s): - Operating Authority Type: Sight Seeing
License Plate Type(s): - Operating Authority Type: Taxicab
License Plate Type(s):
License Plates for Property Carriers
- Operating Authority Type: Household Goods
License Plate Type(s):
- Tractor For Hire
- Permanent Tractor For Hire
- Truck For Hire (vehicle weight-7,500 pounds or more)
- Permanent Truck For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or more)
- Passenger/Property For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 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: Bulk Property
License Plate Type(s):- Tractor For Hire
- Permanent Tractor For Hire
- Truck For Hire (vehicle must weigh more than 7,500 pounds)
- Permanent Truck For Hire (vehicle must weigh more than 7,500 pounds)
- Tow Truck For Hire
- Permanent Tow Truck For Hire
- Operating Authority Type: Property
License Plate Type(s):- Tractor For Hire
- Permanent Tractor For Hire
- Truck For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or more)
- Permanent Truck For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or more)
- Tow Truck For Hire
- Permanent Tow Truck For Hire
- Passenger/Property For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 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)
