Common Carrier - Irregular Routes

Type of Operation

Common Carrier - Irregular Routes

Description

A person who transports the general public for individual fees over any routes within specified areas of Virginia.

Authority Document

Certificate

Required Documents

Operating Requirements

  • This certificate authorizes your operations only in Virginia.
  • You are limited to:
    • operating only in the service areas listed on the certificate
    • charging no more for your services than the rates on file with the Virginia DMV
    • operating vehicles that are designed to carry 15 persons or less, including the driver
  • You may not pick up or deliver passengers to their residence in the City of Norfolk unless the vehicle is specially equipped to transport disabled persons.
  • You must have written approval from the Virginia DMV to discontinue operating in any or all of the service areas.
  • This type of certificate may be transferred (whole or in part) by filing a certificate application (Form OA 141) with DMV, to be completed by both the transferor and transferee. The certificate must be in an active status.
  • You may not refuse service without good cause.
  • You must provide services to the general public without discrimination.
  • Before you can change your rates, you must:
    • make the changes available for public inspection at least 30 days before you wish to make the change, and
    • notify the Virginia DMV at least 30 days before you wish to make the change, and
    • receive approval from the Virginia DMV.
  • You or your agent may publish a joint tariff with another carrier(s) if a power of attorney or notice of concurrence is filed with the Virginia DMV. You must send written notification to DMV, at least 60 days in advance, before you can revoke the power of attorney or notice of concurrence.
  • The number of this certificate must appear in any advertisement for this service.
  • Advertisements for your services may not contain untrue, misleading or deceptive information.

Tariff and Time Schedule Requirements

Tariff: You must file a tariff that includes all of your rates and any rules, policies or guidelines you will impose on your customers (example: refund policy). See Form OA 448, Sample Tariff for Common Carriers Over Irregular Routes.

Time Schedule: None

Insurance Requirements

Bodily Injury and Property Damage:

  • $350,000 - 1 to 6 passengers (including driver)
  • $1,500,000 - 7 to 15 passengers (including driver)

Bond Requirements

You must keep a $25,000 surety bond or letter of credit on file with DMV's Motor Carrier Services for three years from the date your operating authority certificate is issued. Refer to Passenger Carrier and Passenger Broker Bond, (Form OA435) or the Passenger Irrevocable Letter of Credit (Form OA447).

Registration and License Plate Requirements

Registration and License Plate Requirements

License Plates: For-Hire license plates

Vehicle Registration: Must be registered as "for-hire"

Operating Authority Registration: Non-apportioned (not IRP registered) Vehicles - The operating authority information will be displayed on the vehicle registration card when the for-hire license plates are issued.

Fees

$50 filing fee 
$3 Operating Authority Registration fee per vehicle 
$3 for a duplicate certificate

Miscellaneous Requirements:

Address Change - You must report any new address to DMV's Motor Carriers Services within 30 days.

Discontinuing Service - If you go out of business or stop providing the service authorized, you must notify DMV in writing within 30 days.

Federal Employer ID Number (FEIN) verification from the IRS, if applicable

Sample Tariff

This sample tariff was developed using existing tariffs that comply with the requirements of Virginia’s laws. It is intended to help you develop your own tariffs that meet those requirements. The sample is not intended for you to use exactly as written. Some information in the sample may not apply to the service that you will provide. It is your responsibility to review the information and sample and to develop a tariff that is specific to your operations.