Who licenses car services in California?
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) does. Companies that carry passengers for hire in chauffeured sedans, SUVs, limousines and vans are regulated as charter-party carriers, often shortened to TCPs. The CPUC describes a charter-party carrier as one that provides transportation on a prearranged basis, for the exclusive use of an individual or group.
As of October 2026, the CPUC’s published guidance describes several forms of TCP authority, including:
- Permits for carriers using only vehicles that seat 15 passengers or fewer.
- Class A certificates for charter service between any points in the state.
- Class B certificates for charter service based on a 125-air-mile radius from the carrier’s home terminal.
The CPUC says authority must be renewed every 3 years. App rideshare such as Uber and Lyft is regulated by the CPUC under a separate category, transportation network companies. Rule details change, so treat the CPUC’s charter-party carrier page as the final word.
What is a TCP number, and where should you see it?
A TCP number is the identifier the CPUC assigns to a licensed charter-party carrier. It is how you match a company’s name to its license.
California Public Utilities Code section 5386 requires charter-party carriers to include their permit or certificate number in written and oral advertising, and the CPUC’s consumer guidance tells riders to make sure the TCP number is displayed on the vehicle. In practice, a legitimate company should give you its number within seconds when you ask. Hesitation, a vague answer or “we’re affiliated with another company” is a reason to keep looking.
How do you look up a car service on the CPUC website?
The lookup takes about 5 minutes. As of October 2026, the CPUC handles carrier licensing through its Transportation Carrier Portal, and screen labels may change, so follow the current prompts on the site.
Get the TCP number and legal name
Ask the company for both. The legal name on the license can differ from the brand name on the website.
Open the CPUC portal
Go to tcportal.cpuc.ca.gov, the address the CPUC lists for checking whether a carrier is licensed, and use the public carrier search.
Search by number or name
Enter the TCP number first. If nothing comes up, try the legal name and any “doing business as” name.
Confirm the status is active
A record that is expired, suspended or revoked means the company should not be carrying passengers for hire.
Check that the details match
The name and city on the record should match the company you are booking. A real number attached to a different business is a red flag.
Call if anything is unclear
The CPUC lists 800-649-7570 for consumer questions about passenger carriers.
What insurance and safety rules apply to licensed carriers?
Charter-party carriers must file proof of liability insurance with the CPUC, and the minimum scales with seating capacity. Per the CPUC’s passenger carrier FAQs, which cite General Order 115, the minimums as of October 2026 are:
| Vehicle passenger seating capacity | Minimum liability coverage |
|---|---|
| 7 or fewer | $750,000 |
| 8 to 15 | $1,500,000 |
| 16 or more | $5,000,000 |
An unlicensed driver using a personal auto policy may have no coverage at all once the insurer learns the trip was commercial. That gap is the biggest practical risk of booking an unlicensed operator. Check the CPUC site for the current figures before relying on them.
Licensing is more than insurance paperwork. Per the CPUC, as of October 2026:
- Drug and alcohol testing. TCP applicants must run a controlled substance and alcohol testing program for drivers, including pre-employment, random and post-accident testing.
- CHP inspections. Vehicles seating more than 10 including the driver, and any modified limousine, are subject to a California Highway Patrol safety inspection.
- Prearrangement. Charter service is booked in advance. A driver who offers a ride on the spot is not operating like a licensed charter-party carrier.
Licensing at LAX and around Los Angeles
Airports add a second layer. Los Angeles World Airports requires a charter-party vehicle operating commercially at LAX to hold a current LAX permit and an active LAX-issued transponder, and a vehicle can only be added if the operator has active CPUC status and the vehicle is on its CPUC account. Burbank, Van Nuys, Long Beach and John Wayne each set their own ground transportation rules.
LAX Airport Police have long warned travelers not to accept rides from drivers who approach them inside the terminals or at the curb, and to use designated ground transportation areas. A prearranged chauffeur meets you by name at an agreed spot. Someone offering “limo, limo” at baggage claim is not that.
Red flags of an unlicensed operator
- No TCP number on the website, ads or vehicle, or a refusal to give one.
- A quote far below every other LA operator for the same vehicle and time.
- Cash only, or payment through a personal account, with no written confirmation.
- No business address, or only a mobile number and a social media page.
- A different car or driver shows up than the one confirmed, with no explanation.
- A driver solicits you at the airport curb or outside a venue.
How do you report an unlicensed car service?
File with the CPUC. Its consumer guidance points riders to the Transportation Complaint form, which is returned by email or mail using the addresses on the form, and lists 800-649-7570 for questions. The CPUC says complaints take about 30 business days to address. Include:
- The company name, phone number, website or ad.
- Any TCP number they claimed.
- The date, pickup and drop-off locations.
- The vehicle description and license plate.
- Receipts, texts and payment records.
If you feel unsafe during a ride, call 911 first.
How 1st Choice handles it
1st Choice Town Car Service is a licensed charter-party carrier with the California PUC. Call dispatch at 747-201-2610 and ask for the TCP number, then look it up yourself on the CPUC portal. We would rather you check than take anyone’s word for it.
Every ride is prearranged, either online with an instant quote or through dispatch 24 hours a day, and policies such as the 24-hour cancellation window are spelled out in the terms and conditions. You can learn more about the company or reach the team on the contact page.
Meet the 1st Choice fleet
Mercedes E 350 sedan for up to 3, Cadillac Escalade for 6, Chevy Suburban for 7, and Mercedes Sprinter for up to 14. Every booking gets a reserved vehicle and a professional chauffeur, dispatched from Sun Valley.
Want to verify us before you book?
Dispatch runs 24 hours from Sun Valley, serving the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, and Orange County.
Get an instant quoteCall 747-201-2610Car Service Licensing FAQs
How do I check if a limo company is licensed in California?
Ask the company for its TCP number, then search it on the CPUC’s Transportation Carrier Portal at tcportal.cpuc.ca.gov or call the CPUC at 800-649-7570. Confirm the status is active and the name matches the company you are booking.
What does TCP stand for?
TCP stands for transportation charter-party carrier. It is the CPUC authority that companies need to carry passengers for hire in chauffeured vehicles on a prearranged basis.
What insurance does a licensed car service need in California?
Per the CPUC as of October 2026, minimum liability coverage is $750,000 for vehicles seating 7 or fewer, $1,500,000 for 8 to 15, and $5,000,000 for 16 or more. Check the CPUC site for current figures.
How do I report an unlicensed car service?
Use the CPUC Transportation Complaint form on cpuc.ca.gov or call 800-649-7570. Include the company name, phone number, website or ad, date of service, vehicle description, license plate and any receipts.
Is 1st Choice Town Car Service licensed?
Yes. 1st Choice is a licensed charter-party carrier with the California PUC. Call dispatch at 747-201-2610 for the TCP number and look it up yourself on the CPUC portal.
Are Uber and Lyft licensed the same way as a car service?
No. The CPUC regulates app rideshare companies as transportation network companies, a separate category from charter-party carriers.