To check whether a moving company is licensed for interstate moves, look up its USDOT number on the FMCSA’s free verification tools at fmcsa.dot.gov. A legitimate interstate mover will give you that number without hesitation, and the lookup confirms the company is active, registered to move household goods, and properly insured. If a mover can’t or won’t share a USDOT number, treat that as a serious warning.

This check takes about five minutes and it’s the single best thing you can do to avoid a moving scam. Here’s exactly how to do it and what to look for.

Why FMCSA registration matters

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the federal agency that regulates companies moving household goods across state lines. Any company doing interstate moves is required by law to register with the FMCSA and carry a USDOT number, plus an MC (motor carrier) number in many cases.

Registration isn’t a guarantee of great service, but it gives you real protections that unlicensed operators don’t offer:

  • A public record you can verify before you book
  • Required minimum insurance and liability coverage
  • A formal complaint process if something goes wrong
  • Rules the company must follow on estimates, your rights, and dispute resolution

An unlicensed mover sits outside all of that. If they hold your belongings hostage or vanish with your deposit, you have far less recourse.

Local vs interstate: which rules apply

Before you start, know which agency to check. The FMCSA only covers interstate moves, meaning moves that cross a state line.

  • Crossing a state line? The mover needs FMCSA registration and a USDOT number. Verify federally.
  • Moving within one state? That’s regulated by your state, not the FMCSA. Check your state’s moving authority, often the public utilities commission or department of transportation.

A short move can still be interstate. If you’re crossing a state border at all, even within one metro area, the federal rules apply.

Step-by-step: verifying a USDOT number

1. Ask for the USDOT number

Get it directly from the company, and look for it on their website, quotes, and trucks. Legitimate movers display it. If you have to pry it out of them, that’s a flag.

2. Look it up on the FMCSA site

Go to the FMCSA’s official site and use its company lookup (SAFER) and the consumer-focused tools at the Protect Your Move section of fmcsa.dot.gov. Enter the USDOT number or the company name.

3. Confirm the key details

When the record loads, check that:

  • The legal and DBA name match the company you’re talking to.
  • The operating status is active, not out of service.
  • The company is authorized for household goods (HHG), not just freight. A mover authorized only for property other than household goods isn’t licensed to move your home.
  • The physical address looks legitimate and matches what you’ve been told.

4. Check insurance and authority

FMCSA records show whether the carrier has the required insurance on file and what type of operating authority it holds. Confirm the insurance is active.

5. Review complaint history

The FMCSA tracks complaints against movers. A long list of unresolved complaints, especially about hostage loads or surprise charges, tells you a lot.

Read the company’s name and history carefully

Scammers sometimes reincarnate. A company that racks up complaints may shut down and reopen under a new name to shed its record. When you check the FMCSA data:

  • Look at how long the USDOT number has been active. A brand-new registration paired with a slick, established-looking website is worth a second look.
  • Watch for a company operating under a name that differs from its registered legal name without listing it as a DBA.
  • Search the company name plus words like “complaint” or “scam” to see what customers say.

Red flags that signal a scam

The license check is your foundation, but pair it with these warning signs:

  • No USDOT number, or refusal to provide one for an interstate move.
  • A large deposit demanded upfront, especially in cash or by wire or gift card.
  • A quote given over the phone or email with no inventory questions. A real estimate needs to know what you’re moving.
  • No written estimate, or pressure to sign blank or incomplete documents.
  • A price that’s dramatically lower than every other quote. Lowball bids often turn into hostage situations where the price balloons on delivery.
  • No physical address, a generic rental truck with no company branding, or a company that answers the phone with a generic “movers” instead of its name.

What “licensed” doesn’t guarantee

Verifying FMCSA registration confirms a mover is legally operating and insured. It does not, on its own, mean the company is good at the job. So after the license check, also:

  • Read recent reviews across more than one platform, looking for patterns in damage and billing complaints.
  • Get written estimates from at least three companies and understand whether each is binding or non-binding.
  • Confirm the company performs an in-home or video survey for anything beyond a small load.

License first, then quality. Both matter.

Know your rights as a mover’s customer

For interstate moves, federal rules entitle you to certain protections. Movers are required to give you a copy of two documents: “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” and “Ready to Move?” These spell out things like estimate rules, the limits on how much more a non-binding estimate can grow at delivery, and how to handle disputes. If a mover skips these entirely, that’s another sign they’re not playing by the rules.

Once you’ve verified a few licensed companies, comparing their quotes is the next step. Moverly can connect you with FMCSA-registered movers and gather free quotes so you’re choosing among companies that already passed the license check.

FAQ

Where exactly do I check a mover’s FMCSA license?

Use the FMCSA’s official site at fmcsa.dot.gov. The SAFER company lookup and the Protect Your Move tools let you enter a USDOT number or company name to confirm active status, household-goods authority, insurance, and complaint history.

What if the mover only does local moves within my state?

Then the FMCSA doesn’t regulate them. Local and intrastate movers fall under state authority, often the public utilities commission or department of transportation. Check your state’s moving regulator to confirm the company is registered there.

Is a USDOT number alone enough to trust a mover?

It’s necessary but not sufficient. The number confirms legal operation and insurance, but you should still read reviews, get multiple written estimates, and confirm the company is authorized specifically for household goods, not just freight.

What’s the biggest red flag of a moving scam?

A demand for a large upfront deposit combined with a quote given without any inventory questions. Paired with a missing USDOT number, that combination is a strong signal to walk away and find a verified, licensed mover.