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CA Number

If you as the the Motor Carrier Permit require a CA number is determined by the following.

IN-STATE CARRIERS: A commercial vehicle operated only within the state of California must obtain a Motor Carrier Permit and a CA number but does not usually need a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Number.

OUT-OF-STATE CARRIERS: Some out-of-state carriers must obtain a Motor Carrier Permit and a CA number in addition to the U.S. DOT number to come into California. For more information on who must obtain a Motor Carrier Permit, see the website: IFTAreportFiling.com

CA Numbers are required by California Vehicle Code

CA NUMBER DISPLAY: Per California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 34507.5, (a) Every motor carrier… shall obtain a carrier identification number … (b) The carrier identification number assigned to the motor carrier … shall be displayed on both sides of each vehicle, or on both sides of at least one motor vehicle in each combination …

The complete 34507.5 of CVC

34507.5. (a) A motor carrier, as defined in Section 408, a motor
carrier of property, and a for-hire motor carrier of property, as
defined in Section 34601, shall obtain a carrier identification
number from the department. Application for a carrier identification
number shall be on a form furnished by the department. Information
provided in connection with an application for a carrier
identification number shall be updated by a motor carrier upon
request from the department.
(b) The carrier identification number assigned to the motor
carrier under whose operating authority or motor carrier permit the
vehicle or combination of vehicles is being operated shall be
displayed on both sides of each vehicle, or on both sides of at least
one motor vehicle in each combination of the following vehicles:
(1) Each vehicle set forth in Section 34500.
(2) A motortruck of two or more axles that is more than 10,000
pounds gross vehicle weight rating.
(3) Any other motortruck or motor vehicle used to transport
property for compensation.
(c) A vehicle or combination of vehicles listed in subdivision (b)
that is operated under a rental agreement with a term of not more
than 30 calendar days shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Have displayed on both sides of each vehicle or on both sides
of one of the vehicles in each combination of vehicles the name or
trademark of the lessor.
(2) Have displayed on both sides of each vehicle or on both sides
of one of the vehicles in each combination of vehicles any of the
following numbers issued to the lessor:
(A) The carrier identification number issued by the United States
Department of Transportation.
(B) A valid operating authority number.
(C) A valid motor carrier of property number.
(3) (A) Have in the vehicle or combination of vehicles a copy of
the rental agreement entered into by the lessor and the vehicle
operator.
(B) The rental agreement shall be available for inspection
immediately upon the request of an authorized employee of the
department, a regularly employed and salaried police officer or
deputy sheriff, or a reserve police officer or reserve deputy sheriff
listed pursuant to Section 830.6 of the Penal Code.
(C) If the rented vehicle or combination of vehicles is operated
in conjunction with a commercial enterprise, the rental agreement
shall include the operator’s carrier identification number or motor
carrier of property permit number.
(d) A vehicle or combination of vehicles that is in compliance
with Section 390.21 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations
shall be deemed to be in compliance with subdivision (c).
(e) This section does not apply to any of the following vehicles:
(1) A vehicle described in subdivision (f) of Section 34500, that
is operated by a private carrier as defined in subdivision (d) of
Section 34601, if the gross vehicle weight rating of the towing
vehicle is 10,000 pounds or less, or the towing vehicle is a pickup
truck, as defined in Section 471. This exception does not apply to a
vehicle combination described in subdivision (k) of Section 34500.
(2) A vehicle described in subdivision (g) of Section 34500, that
is operated by a private carrier as defined in subdivision (d) of
Section 34601, if the hazardous material transportation does not
require the display of placards pursuant to Section 27903, a license
pursuant to Section 32000.5, or hazardous waste hauler registration
pursuant to Section 25163 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3) A historical vehicle, as described in Section 5004, and a
vehicle that displays special identification plates in accordance
with Section 5011.
(4) An implement of husbandry as defined in Chapter 1 (commencing
with Section 36000) of Division 16.
(5) A vehicle owned or operated by an agency of the federal
government.
(6) A pickup truck, as defined in Section 471, and a two-axle
daily rental truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than
26,001 pounds, when operated in noncommercial use.
(f) Subdivision (b) does not apply to the following:
(1) A vehicle that displays a valid identification number assigned
by the United States Secretary of the Department of Transportation.
(2) A vehicle that is regulated by, and that displays a valid
operating authority number issued by, the Public Utilities
Commission, including a household goods carrier as defined in Section
5109 of the Public Utilities Code.
(3) A for-hire motor carrier of passengers.
(g) The display of the carrier identification number shall be in
sharp contrast to the background, and shall be of a size, shape, and
color that it is readily legible during daylight hours from a
distance of 50 feet.
(h) The carrier identification number for a company no longer in
business, no longer operating with the same name, or no longer
operating under the same operating authority, identification number,
or motor carrier permit shall be removed before sale, transfer, or
other disposal of a vehicle marked pursuant to this section.

If you plan on transporting freight interstate you will need a MC Authority also.

CA Number

The Motor Carrier Permit requires a CA number.

IN-STATE CARRIERS: A commercial vehicle operated only within the state of California must obtain a Motor Carrier Permit and a CA number but does not usually need a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Number. AS of 2105 all carriers in California require a DOT number.

OUT-OF-STATE CARRIERS: Some out-of-state carriers must obtain a Motor Carrier Permit and a CA number in addition to the U.S. DOT number to come into California. For more information on who must obtain a Motor Carrier Permit, see the website: Motor Carrier Permit.