We will be moving from Houston, TX to Chicago, IL this summer. I was looking into moving companies in both cities. How is it that when I searched movers Houston and movers Chicago, I came across some of the same companies?

Answer

Some companies such as the large van lines have several branches or agents in different states so they will come up in searches in different cities/states. Also, many interstate moving companies will advertise for leads in different states that they serve, even if they have no physical location there. As long as they are properly licensed to operate in those states, they can advertise, provide quotes and perform those relocations.

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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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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).

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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.