How to check a moving company is licensed before you pay anything
5 min read · updated 2026-07-26
Ask for the USDOT number and look up the federal record. It shows whether operating authority is active, whether the company is a carrier or a broker, and whether cargo insurance is on file.
Every company that moves household goods across a state line for money must be registered with the FMCSA, and that registration is public. It takes about a minute to check and it rules out a large share of the ways a move goes wrong.
Get the number first
Ask for the USDOT number. It should appear on the estimate, on the company's website, and painted on the side of the truck — display on the vehicle is a legal requirement, not a courtesy. A company that will not give you one, or gives you only a state licence number for an interstate move, has answered your question.
The four things worth checking
- Is the operating authority active? Not merely registered — active. Registration and authority are different things, and a company can hold a USDOT number without being authorised to move anything.
- Carrier or broker? This decides who is responsible for your belongings and who is holding your deposit.
- Is cargo insurance on file? This is the coverage that applies to your things. Liability coverage is a separate filing and covers damage to other people.
- Is a revocation pending? Authority has to be active on the day the truck arrives, not the day you book.
What the record does not tell you
The federal record covers licensing and insurance. It does not contain prices, and it does not say whether a company is good at its job. It also only covers interstate moves — a move entirely within one state is regulated by that state, and several states do not license household goods movers at all.
Find licensed movers for your move
See which companies hold active federal authority to move you and what moves like yours usually cost, then pick who quotes you.
Already have a quote? Check whether it's a normal price.
Common questions
What is a USDOT number?
A permanent registration number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It identifies a company for its lifetime and is how any federal filing about it is looked up. Interstate movers must display it on their vehicles.
How do I know if a moving company is legitimate?
Check that its operating authority is active, that it holds the authority type you need, and that cargo insurance is on file. All three are in the public federal record and can be checked from the USDOT number.
Do local movers need a USDOT number?
Only for interstate moves. Moves inside a single state are regulated by that state, and requirements vary enormously — some states license household goods movers and some do not license them at all.