State Moving Requirements and Necessary Licensing

While the federal government regulates all interstate moves, local moves are regulated by the individual states in which a motor carrier operates. These requirements also apply to long distance movers when passing through the individual states.

Each state has its own requirements for moving companies, and the requirements vary tremendously from state to state. For instance, certain states do not require a license with the state itself, but over half of all states require a USDOT number.

TIP: Registration requirements can change frequently, and the latest updates might not be included on this list. Check your state's department of transportation website for updated information. For interstate moves, check all the states through which you will be passing.

Moving and licensing requirements

When hiring and working with a moving company, it is important to be aware of the licensing standards and requirements in the state you live in, including whether the carriers need to have a USDOT number. This will help ensure you are doing legal and safe business with the movers you hire. In order to best understand these complex regulations, here is a summary of the licensing requirements in each individual state. Just find your state in this table to see how your state regulates movers.