(1) A common carrier, contract carrier, or temporary carrier shall not operate for the transportation of property for compensation in this state without first obtaining from the commission a permit for such operation.

     (a) For household goods:

     (i) Permits issued to any carrier must be exercised by the carrier to the fullest extent to render reasonable service to the public. Applications for household goods carrier permits or permit extensions must be on file for a period of at least thirty days before issuance unless the commission finds that special conditions require earlier issuance.

     (ii) A permit or permit extension must be issued to any qualified applicant, authorizing the whole or any part of the operations covered by the application, if it is found that: The applicant is fit, willing, and able to perform the services proposed and conform to this chapter and the requirements, rules, and regulations of the commission; the operations are consistent with the public interest; and, in the case of common carriers, they are required by the present or future public convenience and necessity; otherwise the application must be denied.

     (b) For general commodities other than household goods:

     (i) The commission shall issue a common carrier permit to any qualified applicant if it is found the applicant is fit, willing, and able to perform the service and conform to the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations of the commission.

     (ii) Before a permit is issued, the commission shall require the applicant to establish safety fitness and proof of minimum financial responsibility as provided in this chapter.

     (2) This chapter does not confer on any person or persons the exclusive right or privilege of transporting property for compensation over the public highways of the state.

     (3) A common carrier, contract carrier, or temporary carrier operating without the permit required in subsection (1) of this section, or who violates a cease and desist order of the commission issued under RCW 81.04.510, is subject to a penalty, under the process set forth in RCW 81.04.405, of one thousand five hundred dollars.

     (4) Notwithstanding RCW 81.04.510, the commission may, in conjunction with issuing the penalty set forth in subsection (3) of this section, issue cease and desist orders to carriers operating without the permit required in subsection (1) of this section, and to all persons involved in the carriers' operations.

[2007 c 234 § 72; 1999 c 79 § 1; 1963 c 242 § 1; 1961 c 14 §81.80.070 . Prior: 1953 c 95 § 17; 1947 c 264 § 2; 1941 c 163 § 1; 1937 c 166 § 6; 1935 c 184 § 5; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 6382-5.]