Check Movers License
How to check a moving company’s license validity
When you are moving, whether its local or long distance, it is very essential to ensure that your moving company is licensed, bonded and insured. By rule, all moving companies need a license issued by the US Department to Transportation to operate within the country. Licenses to operate are issued in accordance with the rules and regulations governed by the FMCSA – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Almost all the moving companies will claim to be “Fully Licensed and Insured“. However there are chances that their operating license and insurance could be revoked, suspended or pending renewal. If you avail their services during this time, you could be risking all your furniture and belongings if something goes wrong.
When it comes to movers licenses there are a few terms that you need to be aware of and how to have the same verified.
A) USDOT Number:
The USDOT number is the license number issued by the United States Department of Transportation. By default every moving company has to have a USDOT. This is the first question you need to ask your mover while you start any conversation about your move. Next visit the USDOT Website, and lookup the USDOT Number provided by the mover. You will be able to see the Legal Name, DBA (Doing Business As Name), Address, Phone/fax Numbers, fleet size, safety rating, number of drivers, crash reports, inspections and a whole lot of other information.
B) MC Number:
MC Number is the “Interstate Operating Authority” number issued by the FMCSA ( Federal Motor Carrier and Safety Administration ) for companies who operate as for – hire carriers, transport passengers, interstate commerce or arranging for passenger transport.
FMCSA operating authority is also referred to as an “MC,” “FF,” or “MX” number, depending on the type of authority that is granted.
Looking up a mover information by USDOT or MC Number
Once you get either of these numbers from your mover, you can look up their information from HERE.
The important sections you need to look out for are
1) Entity Type: Carrier or Broker
If the mover is a carrier, then it means that they have their own trucks and will be the actual movers who complete the move.
If the mover is a Broker, then it means that they may not have their own trucks and would outsource the move to another carrier.
2) Operating Status: Authorized for HHG ( House Hold Goods )
If your movers status is authorized for HHG then it means that they are permitted to perform residential moves. This shows that their license is valid.
3) Carrier Operation: Interstate or Intrastate
If your are moving out of state and if the carrier operating authority of the mover is only Intrastate then you need to know that this mover does not have the license to perform Long Distance Moves or Out of state Moves. More than likely they will have your furniture picked up and hand over to another carrier to have it delivered out of state.
4) Insurance:
Under the section which says licensing and insurance, you will able to view the insurance details as a PDF document and a web page. Under Insurance requirements, you need to look out for “Bond on File”. If it says “YES” then you know that the mover is licensed and you can go ahead and hire them.
Operating Authority for Local and Long Distance Movers
There are different regulations for local and long distance movers. If a moving company operates only local, they would not have the license to move you out of state. Hence it is very essential during a long distance move to check if your mover is licensed to move you out of state.
In addition to USDOT and MC Numbers, moving companies are required to have additional state license based on the states they operate in. Some states, such as New York, require professional movers to have a USDOT number even if they only operate within state lines.
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It is only by doing your homework that you will be able to make the right choice when it comes to hiring moving companies.
However, if you take the time, then you will be able to get it right.
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Movers Licensing Requirements by State
Moving Companies in Alabama are required to have APSC Number, and have to file rates with State PSC.
It is mandatory for all movers in Alabama to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Arizona are required to declare vehicle gross weight to the state ADOT.
It is mandatory for all movers in Arizona to have an USDOT Number.
Movers in Arkansas are required to have the Bingo Stamp.
It is NOT mandatory for all moving companies in Arkansas to have a USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in California are required to have CPUC number.
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in California to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Colorado are required to have a HHG ( House Hold Goods ) license for household goods and an PRC license as a property carrier
It is mandatory for all movers in Colorado to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Connecticut are required to have CPTC number.
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Connecticut to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Delaware are required to have a Permit proving vehicle registration.
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Delaware to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Florida are required to have an IM number for local movers, MV and MR Numbers for long distance movers.
It is mandatory for all movers in Florida to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Georgia are required to have GPSC number.
It is mandatory for all movers in Georgia to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Hawaii are required to have PUC number.
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Hawaii to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Idaho are required to have a State registration with Idaho DOT
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Idaho to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Illinois are required to have an ILCC number.
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Illinois to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Indiana are required to have an IHGC number
It is mandatory for all movers in Indiana to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Iowa are required to have an IOWAMC number
It is mandatory for all movers in Iowa to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Kansas are required to have an MCID number.
It is mandatory for all movers in Kansas to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Kentucky are required to have KYU number, KIT number and IFTA license
It is mandatory for all movers in Kentucky to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Louisiana are required to have Common Carrier Certificate, Bingo Stamp
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Louisiana to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Massachusetts are required to have MDPU number
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Massachusetts to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Mississippi are required to have MSPC number
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Mississippi to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Nebraska are required to have Form A (household goods movers), Form H (cargo movers and insurance)
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Nebraska to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Nevada are required to have CPCN number
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Nevada to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in New Hampshire are required to have NHPC number
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in New Hampshire to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in New Jersey are required to have NJPC or NJPM number.
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in New Jersey to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in New Mexico are required to have PRC number.
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in New Mexico to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in North Carolina are required to have NCUC-C number
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in North Carolina to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in North Dakota are required to have ND State number
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in North Dakota to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Pennsylvania are required to have PUC number
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Pennsylvania to have an USDOT Number.
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Rhode Island to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Texas are required to have TXDOT number
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Texas to have an USDOT Number.
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Vermont to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Virginia are required to have VA DMV permit
It is NOT mandatory for all movers in Virginia to have an USDOT Number.
It is mandatory for all movers in Maine to have an USDOT Number.
It is mandatory for all movers in Maryland to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Michigan are required to have MPSC number
It is mandatory for all movers in Michigan to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Minnesota are required to have MNDOT number
It is mandatory for all movers in Minnesota to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Missouri are required to have MODOT number
It is mandatory for all movers in Missouri to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Montana are required to have PSC number
It is mandatory for all movers in Montana to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in New York are required to have NYDOT number
It is mandatory for all movers in New York to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Ohio are required to have PUCO number
It is mandatory for all movers in Ohio to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Oklahoma are required to have Intrastate license with PIN
It is mandatory for all movers in Oklahoma to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Oregon are required to have CAHG number
It is mandatory for all movers in Oregon to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in South Carolina are required to have SCP-SC number
It is mandatory for all movers in South Carolina to have an USDOT Number.
It is mandatory for all movers in South Dakota to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Tennessee are required to have Bingo Stamp for interstate moves
It is mandatory for all movers in Tennessee to have an USDOT Number.
It is mandatory for all movers in Utah to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Washington are required to have WTC number
It is mandatory for all movers in Washington to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in West Virginia are required to have WVCPCN number
It is mandatory for all movers in West Virginia to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Wisconsin are required to have LC number
It is mandatory for all movers in Wisconsin to have an USDOT Number.
Moving Companies in Wyoming are required to have DOC number
It is mandatory for all movers in Wyoming to have an USDOT Number.
