Transportation Licensing and Analysis Branch (TLAB)

TLAB helps ensure that passenger carriers operate safely in California while protecting the public and promoting fair competition. We grant or deny authorities to operate in the State of California in compliance with state laws and engage stakeholders in the Commission's development of transportation rules and regulations.

Recent Licensing Updates

Transportation Carrier Portal (TCPortal)

Passenger carriers manage their permits/certificates and make requests to the CPUC using the Transportation Carrier Portal (TCPortal).

Link to the TCPortal, Link to the TCPortal Information Page, Link to the TCPortal Help & FAQs Page

Licensing staff will answer inquires sent to licensing@cpuc.ca.gov.

No Passenger Carrier Walk-Ins at 505 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco as of March 19, 2020

As of March 19, 2020, the License Section will NOT accept walk-ins at 505 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. If you are submitting documents in response to a Deficiency Letter, all documents must be submitted via e-mail to the analyst assigned. You can also email your inquiries to Licensing@cpuc.ca.gov or call (800) 877-8867 and leave a message.

Alert on Scams

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the CPUC, do not, under any circumstances, provide any information over the phone to the caller as this is a scam! The CPUC does not place telephone calls to solicit extra funds to complete new applications or renewals, or to demand additional quarterly or annual fees. All payments are to be made through the portal. The CPUC is aware of a current scam where active carriers and new applicants for a permit or certificate from the CPUC are contacted by unknown people outside the CPUC. The call may appear to be a CPUC number and the caller may claim to work for the CPUC, then ask for additional money. The caller states that additional money ($100-$2,000) must be paid in some form, or the application (or current permit or certificate) will be suspended or denied.

You may contact the CPUC License Section at licensing@cpuc.ca.gov to verify the legitimate issue outstanding. You may also report the call, any information provided by the caller, and your observations to law enforcement. For more information, refer to the “Telephone Scam Alert Notification” post

For More Licensing News and Updates

Charter-Party Carrier (TCP)

Charter-Party Carrier (TCP) covers passenger carriers that perform charter service, round trip sightseeing, or passenger transportation under Commission authority. Carriers can obtain specific permits or certificates applicable to their services to the public.

Charter-Party Carrier

Passenger Stage Corporation (PSC) & Vessel Common Carrier (VCC)

Passenger Stage Corporation (PSC) are passenger carriers that transport passengers between points on an individual fare basis. Vessel Common Carriers (VCC) are passenger carriers that transport persons or property between points within the state by water. Both PSC and VCC must go through the formal filing process with the Commission for approval of operations.

PSC and VCC

Transportation Network Companies (TNC)

Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) provide prearranged transportation services for compensation using an online-enabled application or platform (such as smart phone apps) to connect drivers using their personal vehicles with passengers.

Transportation Network Companies

Autonomous Vehicles (AV)

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) have been authorized for testing and deployment in passenger service by charter-party carriers (TCPs) who also possess the required authority from DMV for AV testing or deployment on public roads in California.

Autonomous Vehicles