How to Verify a Moving Company's License: FMCSA & DOT Guide
Hiring an unlicensed mover is one of the biggest risks in any move. Your belongings can be held hostage, damaged without recourse, or simply disappear. Here's how to verify any moving company's credentials in minutes — and what to look for.
Did you know? The FMCSA receives over 4,000 complaints about moving companies annually. Many involve unlicensed operators. Always verify before you book.
What Is FMCSA?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the U.S. government agency responsible for regulating interstate moving companies. Part of the Department of Transportation (DOT), FMCSA sets the rules that legitimate movers must follow:
- Registration and operating authority requirements
- Minimum insurance coverage mandates
- Safety standards for vehicles and drivers
- Consumer protection rules (written estimates, dispute resolution)
- Complaint investigation and enforcement
Any moving company that transports household goods across state lines must be registered with FMCSA. For moves within New York State, movers need a NYS DOT number instead — but many legitimate NYC movers carry both.
What Is a DOT Number?
A DOT number is a unique identifier assigned to commercial motor carriers. Think of it like a Social Security number for a trucking or moving company. The DOT number lets you look up:
📋 Operating Authority Status
Is the company authorized to transport household goods? Status should show "AUTHORIZED" — not "NOT AUTHORIZED" or "REVOKED."
🛡️ Insurance Coverage
Does the mover carry the required minimum insurance? FMCSA requires at least $5,000 per vehicle in cargo insurance for household goods carriers.
⚠️ Safety Record
Has the company had crashes, violations, or safety reviews? A poor safety record is a major red flag even if they're technically licensed.
📞 Complaint History
How many consumer complaints has the company received? While some complaints are normal for large companies, patterns of fraud or hostage situations are deal-breakers.
How to Verify a Mover's License: Step by Step
Step 1: Get the DOT Number
Ask the moving company for their USDOT number. Legitimate movers display it on their website, trucks, and business cards. If they can't or won't provide one, that's your first red flag.
Step 2: Visit SAFER
Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and click "Company Snapshot." Enter the DOT number or company name. The database is free and public.
Step 3: Check Operating Authority
Look for "Operating Authority Status" — it must say "AUTHORIZED" for Household Goods (HHG). If it says "NOT AUTHORIZED," "REVOKED," or "INACTIVE," do not hire this company.
Step 4: Verify Insurance
Under the insurance section, confirm active BIPD (Bodily Injury & Property Damage) and Cargo insurance. Both should show "Active" status with current effective dates.
Step 5: Review Safety Record
Check the safety rating and inspection results. Look for patterns of out-of-service violations. A "Satisfactory" safety rating is ideal. "Conditional" or "Unsatisfactory" means proceed with extreme caution.
Direct link: safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx — or call FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238 for assistance.
Red Flags: Signs of an Unlicensed Mover
Unlicensed movers cost consumers millions of dollars annually. Watch for these warning signs:
🚫 No DOT Number
They can't provide a DOT number, or the number they give doesn't show up in the FMCSA database.
💰 Large Cash Deposit
Demanding a large upfront cash payment. Legitimate movers collect payment at delivery, not before.
📝 No Written Estimate
Refusing to provide a written, binding estimate. FMCSA requires movers to provide written estimates for interstate moves.
🚛 Rental Trucks
Using unmarked rental trucks (U-Haul, Penske) instead of company-branded vehicles.
📍 No Physical Address
Only a phone number or PO Box — no real business address you can verify.
💸 Suspiciously Low Quotes
Estimates significantly below market rate. Common bait-and-switch tactic — they raise the price after loading your belongings.
📄 No Rights Booklet
Not providing "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" — a booklet FMCSA requires movers to give customers.
⭐ No Reviews or Fake Reviews
No verifiable online reviews, or reviews that all appeared within a short time period with similar language.
How Movd Protects You
Every moving company on Movd.nyc undergoes rigorous verification before joining our platform. We do the FMCSA homework so you don't have to:
DOT license verified — we confirm every mover's USDOT number and operating authority through FMCSA before they join our platform
Insurance confirmed — active general liability, cargo insurance, and workers' compensation verified for every mover
Ongoing monitoring — we periodically re-check licenses and insurance to ensure continued compliance
Real customer reviews — verified reviews from actual customers, not manufactured testimonials
COI within 48 hours — all our movers provide Certificates of Insurance for building requirements at no extra charge