Michigan CVED Authority, step by step

Michigan regulates for-hire trucks that haul only inside the state through the Michigan State Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED). Here is the order of steps, with the official link for each one.

Who needs CVED Authority

MSP says the Motor Carrier Act, Public Act 254 of 1933, requires all intrastate for-hire carriers to get intrastate operating authority, called CVED Authority, before operating a vehicle on any public road in Michigan. MSP CVED Regulatory

Intrastate-only for-hire carriers of general commodities.
Household goods carriers, both interstate and intrastate, with extra requirements.
Wrecker companies doing police-initiated tows.
Interstate carriers hauling point to point within Michigan have a shorter checklist (see the FAQ).

What MSP asks for

Item	Where it comes from
USDOT number, if applicable (MSP: required for vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR)	FMCSA
Business registration	LARA or your county clerk
Proof of workers' compensation insurance, or an approved exclusion form	Your insurer, or the Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
Certificate of liability and a Form E	Your insurance provider
Processing and decal fees	Paid in the portal
Household goods only: Form H, continuous contracts if any, tariff membership if traveling more than 40 miles without a continuous contract	Your insurer and tariff provider

The statute also says the application is signed by an owner or officer, states the condition of the equipment, and states that the vehicles passed an inspection within the past 12 months under Michigan's motor carrier safety act. MCL 476.3

Step by step in the CAP portal

Line up the documents first. Business registration, workers' compensation proof or exclusion, and ask your insurer to send the certificate of liability and file the Form E.
Create a MiLogin account at milogin.michigan.gov. MSP says ICARS logins do not carry over.
Add the CVED Authority Portal. In MiLogin, choose Discover Online Services, then Michigan State Police, then CVED Authority Portal, and accept the terms.
Create a Carrier (new carriers) or Claim an Existing Carrier with the PIN MSP emailed.
Choose a New application, then General Commodities or Household Goods, and fill in the business and operation details.
Attach documents now or later, and enter every vehicle that needs a decal.
Review, add to cart and pay through the state's CEPAS payment system. Save the receipt.
Watch your email. MSP staff review the application and follow up by email if they need more. Missing documents after 30 days means the application is dismissed.

Screen by screen: MSP CAP instructions.

Decals, cab cards and markings

The state issues a decal and a cab card for each vehicle an intrastate-only carrier or household goods carrier is authorized to run. The cab card stays in that vehicle and the decal goes where MSP directs. MCL 479.8
Before you start, your name, city and state (or registered logo) go on both sides of each power unit. A truck marked to the federal rules in 49 CFR 390 to 399 meets that part of the statute. The statute also lists 'MPSC' with your account number and a unit number on each power unit. Ask MSP which markings it checks today.
Do not run an added truck until its identification is issued and on the vehicle. Add trucks later through a Request application in the portal.

Renewal

Intrastate-only carriers, household goods carriers and police-tow wreckers renew every year, from October 1 to December 1.
MSP mails renewal notices in the fall. Not renewing by January 1 results in revocation.
Keep your insurance continuous. Your Form E stays on file only while the policy is in force.

If you also cross state lines

Interstate for-hire work needs federal authority and a federal insurance filing as well. See getting insurance on file for a new MC authority and MCS-90, BMC-91X and Form E compared. Interstate carriers also register for UCR. For the wider picture, see Michigan trucking insurance: what carriers should know and First Mile: new ventures.

Questions on CVED Authority or CAP go to the MSP Regulatory and Credentialing Section, 517-284-3250, option 4, then option 1.

FAQ

How long does CVED Authority take in Michigan?

The Michigan State Police say processing can take up to 30 days. If the required documents are not received within the 30 days allowed, the application is dismissed.

Who files the Form E for CVED Authority?

Your insurance provider. MSP asks for a certificate of liability and a Form E from your insurer. You cannot file it yourself.

Do I need workers' compensation for CVED Authority?

MSP asks for proof of workers' compensation insurance or an approved exclusion form from the Workers' Compensation Agency. MCL 479.9 requires carriers to show compliance with the workers' disability compensation act when they first apply. Ask the agency whether an exclusion fits your business.

Can I use my old ICARS login for the CAP portal?

No. MSP says ICARS login credentials do not transfer. You create a new MiLogin account and add the CVED Authority Portal service. Existing carriers claim their account with a PIN MSP emailed them.

When do I renew CVED Authority?

Intrastate-only carriers renew every year from October 1 to December 1. MSP mails notices in the fall, and failing to renew by January 1 results in revocation.

Do I need CVED Authority if I already have MC authority?

Interstate carriers that also haul point to point within Michigan have their own MSP checklist: a valid USDOT number, insurance filings, paid UCR, business registration and workers' compensation proof. Interstate carriers of general commodities do not renew each year if they stay current on UCR.

This guide is general information, not legal advice or an offer of insurance. Rules and programs change, so check the sources below. Helm Partners is a trucking-only insurance agency being formed in Michigan. Our Michigan license is pending. We do not quote or sell insurance until licensed.

Michigan CVED Authority: how to get intrastate trucking authority