I was looking for Manhattan movers and I believe that, after much research, I have made my choice of a locally based moving service Manhattan. My question was, if I use a local moving company Manhattan NY but I move to another state (Connecticut, if to be exact), which state law does the moving company need to comply with- the state regulation for a moving company Manhattan New York, or the state regulations for a moving company Hartford Connecticut?

Answer

First of all, all movers are subjected and have to comply with federal regulations. Other than that, they also need to comply with their state’s regulations. There are states that require types of insurance and coverage limits that exceed the federal requirements.

Normally, your mover will have to comply with federal regulations for interstate movers and with the state regulations in which the mover is based. Some states though are unregulated and the mover will have to comply with only the federal requirements. On the other hand, other states will require out-of-state movers to comply with their local regulations when operating within that state.

To read more about it and for useful contact information for state regulatory agencies, please use the following link to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Protect Your Move website.

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Hi. My partner and I are planning to open moving company in Rockville MD. Do Maryland movers need to have any special license? I know there are many moving companies Maryland and I saw most of them list DOT and MC numbers. So I was wondering if moving services Maryland require anything else.

Answer

Maryland is an unregulated state and as such moving and storage Maryland companies are only subjected to federal law and have to comply with federal licensing and insurance requirements.

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Can you suggest a good moving company in or near Savannah, GA? Our last move was a disaster. Without getting into too many details, I’m afraid to get scammed again. We’re moving again in a few months to Exeter, NH, and I need to find a company. We have a lot of really very heavy furniture, so moving ourselves and renting a truck just isn’t an option. I have found some companies through internet searches, but I am really looking for personal recommendations. Thank you very much. Barbara

Answer

We won’t be able to give you any specific recommendations. If you can’t get any referrals from anyone you know, the internet would be an easy place to look for one.

To minimize your risks, you should verify the licensing and insurance of moving companies on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website. Follow this Link. Once on the website, you will need to click on “Licensing and Insurance” under FMCSA searches. You will then need to provide name and location of the company or its license numbers (can be found on web sites or quotes).

You can also check for membership with moving associations (although for itself it does not necessary guaranty that the company is fully licensed), and make sure you do get everything in writing, including the “Rights and responsibilities” booklet (the booklet can be found on and printed from the FMCSA website or downloaded as PDF version from their site). It explains the interstate moving process, charges and regulations.
For the booklet and additional consumer information (including tips on how to Protect Yourself From Moving Fraud visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Protect Your Move website.

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I just bought my first truck, I recently opened a moving company in Kenton, OH. I know we need to put up some decals, but are there any specific requirements for that? Please let me know. Jay

Answer

Yes there are very specific requirement regarding the lettering and the content of the truck decals (That’s referring to the required marking of any commercial motor vehicle (CMV), not the company’s logo or whatever other info or paint you intend to have on your truck for publicity purposes). The requirements and regulations are detailed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website. You can use the following link to the relevant FMCSA website page for your convenience.

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I need to find local movers in DC. However, when I search online (for movers Washington DC) I get moving quotes from moving companies in MD or Virginia movers. Can I use movers in MD? I am really looking for the best moving companies Washington DC.

Answer

Any company that is licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to engage in interstate relocation can provide you with a moving quote and moving services. If you are planning an interstate relocation you might even receive quotes from New York or California movers for example (you may find that a company that has offices as far as CA or FL or NY might have trucks in your area and will be able to provide a quote). To verify licensing use this link to the FMCSA  S.a.f.e.r. system. On the website, you will need to click on “Licensing and Insurance” under FMCSA searches. You will then need to provide name and location of the company or its license numbers (can be found on web sites or quotes).
Please also be advised that some states are regulated and have specific requirements and licensing.
Also, the rates may vary, especially if the company is not local (for travel time and fuel surcharges). Make sure you get estimates in writing and that you read this article about what to look for in moving quotes.
In any case, for list of local movers based in DC, use the following link to our DC Movers by state directory.

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Hi. I’m new to this blog. I apologize for asking, but would you happen to know where can I find the regulations or information regarding drug and alcohol testings for drivers? Thanks

Answer:

All the information you need about Drug and Alcohol testings (requirements, regulations, procedures, guidelines, compliance, programs and rules) can be found on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website in this link.

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What’s the best way to get an accurate estimate? I know sometimes people are given quotes and then it ends up being much more because of extra charges and hidden fees. How can I avoid this? Thanks. Rebecca.

Answer

You didn’t mention if you are planning an intrastate or interstate relocation (local or long-distance). In any case, get an onsite estimate- have the mover come to do a walk-through in your home. That way the mover can actually see what you need to pack, move, the access to your place, etc. The estimate will be more accurate. Also, keep in mind, on any interstate relocation movers have to do an onsite estimate unless waived in writing by you. You can also request a binding estimate (which means you are to pay the quoted amount, whether your shipment weighs more or less than the estimate, or on local move, takes more or less hours than the estimate), or a not-to-exceed estimate (which means that you will pay for either the actual weight/time or the estimate, whichever is less). Keep in mind though, that the mover can revise an original binding estimate at origin or bill you for additional items or services that you request or require.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you need any additional advice or clarifications. For additional consumer information please visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Protect Your Move website.

* Movers Needs is not responsible nor guarantee the accuracy of any question, answer, comment or content. Go to terms page for full Disclaimer.

The website contains short real-life video clips (up to 30 seconds each) showing driver errors that were recorded in a driving study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI).

The website can be used for driver training programs and is hoped to offer CMV drivers with better understanding of common driving errors and provide tools that can take to help avoid dangerous driving situations and crashes.

To take advantage of this tool, please visit the FMCSA website. The website has a tip menu by error types, in which you can read tips, view the videos and go through a set of related questions to enhance problem solving.

Question

Hi. I need a mover from Texas to Missouri and I don’t even know where to start. I saw on your website that I can place a request online and get several quotes, which I did. Now I have so many different estimates. I read through your articles as well. But my questions is how do I know that these are good movers? I mean, you hear so many stories,  I want to make sure the company I choose is licensed and insured and that I won’t have all kinds of problems with them later.

Answer

You can verify the licensing and insurance of moving companies on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website. Follow this Link. On the website, you will need to click on “Licensing and Insurance” under FMCSA searches. You will then need to provide name and location of the company or its license numbers (can be found on web sites or quotes).

You can check for membership with moving associations (although for itself it does not necessary guaranty that the company is fully licensed), ask for references (and check them), see if your friends or family can give you any referrals or recommendations and make sure you do get everything in writing, including the “Rights and responsibilities” booklet (the booklet can be found on and printed from the FMCSA website or downloaded as PDF version from their site).

* Movers Needs is not responsible nor guarantee the accuracy of any question, answer, comment or content. Go to terms page for full Disclaimer.

My partner and I are interested in opening a moving company in Florida. How much money would we need for that?

Answer

That would depend on how much of the work you are willing to do yourself, other than the Federal and/or State fees. Here is a great source to contact experts that can instruct you on HOW to incorporate in general and HOW to open a moving company. Hope that helps.

* Movers Needs is not responsible nor guarantee the accuracy of any question, answer, comment or content. Go to terms page for full Disclaimer.