§ 194. Agents. 1. Each motor carrier providing transportation of household goods subject to this article, and any agent or agents employed or utilized by it, shall be jointly and severally liable for any act or omission or for any violation of this chapter or any order or regulation of the commissioner in connection with household goods transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner. 2. It shall be unlawful for any motor carrier providing transportation of household goods to employ any person or motor carrier as an agent who or which is not the lawful holder of an effective probationary or permanent certificate to operate as a common carrier of household goods under this article. 3. The provisions of section three hundred forty of the general business law shall not apply to discussions or agreements between a motor carrier providing transportation of household goods subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter and its agents related solely to:(a) rates for the transportation of household goods under the authority of the principal carrier;
(b) accessorial, terminal, storage, or other charges for services incidental to the transportation of household goods transported under the authority of the principal carrier;
(c) allowances relating to the transportation of household goods under the authority of the principal carrier; and
(d) ownership of a motor carrier providing transportation of household goods subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter by an agent, or membership on the board of directors of any such motor carrier by an agent.