Legal Guidelines Long Distance Movers Must Follow

This guide covers the rules the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) requires long distance moving companies to follow on all interstate shipments. Many of these rules exist to protect consumers, prevent billing disputes and keep drivers and everyone else safe on the road.

In this guide:

• Active DOT Number
• Minimum 60 Cents Per Pound Insurance Coverage
• Providing a Bill of Lading to Customers
• Providing a Reasonable Dispatch Service
• 11-Hour Driving Limit
• Electronic Log Book (ELD)
• Honoring Guaranteed Delivery Dates
• Disclosing the Transportation Method
• Putting Estimated Contract Terms in Writing
• Documenting Potential Added Fees
• Keeping a Record of All Estimates and Booked Jobs
• Binding vs. Non-Binding Estimates
• Advising of Estimate Increases Before Loading
• Deposit, Cancellation and Refund Policies
• Frequently Asked Questions

Interstate Movers Must Have an Active DOT Number

An active USDOT number shows that a long distance moving company is registered with the FMCSA to move household goods across state lines. Without an active DOT number, a moving company cannot legally be hired to move household goods between states. You can look up a mover's DOT number in our moving company directory before you book.

Minimum 60 Cents Per Pound Coverage

All interstate and long distance moving companies are required to cover a customer's household goods. The legal minimum is 60 cents per pound per item. This means if a 20-pound item breaks, the moving company only has to pay 60 cents for each pound of that item (60 cents × 20 lbs = $12.00). While this coverage is very limited, movers must also offer Full Value Protection, and other insurance options are often available. Learn more in our guide to moving damage, insurance and claims.

Providing a Bill of Lading to Customers

A bill of lading is the agreement between the carrier (the moving company) and the shipper (the customer). All state-to-state moving companies are required by law to give the customer a bill of lading before leaving with the customer's shipment. Without a bill of lading, you have almost no DOT protection and no way of verifying which company has your belongings.

Providing a Reasonable Dispatch Service

Long distance moving companies are required to deliver your household goods within a reasonable time frame after picking up your inventory, known as reasonable dispatch service. This time frame depends on the distance of your move and ranges from a few days to a few weeks (4–21 business days). If you feel your long distance movers are unreasonably late, contact them for an explanation, ask for compensation or consider legal help.

11-Hour Legal Driving Limit

Under FMCSA hours-of-service rules, a moving truck driver can drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, and cannot drive past the 14th hour after coming on duty. This means moves of 1,000 miles or more cannot legally be delivered on the same day, and sometimes not the next day either. This rule is in place to keep the driver and everyone else on the road safe.

Electronic Log Book (ELD)

An electronic log book, or electronic logging device (ELD), records a long distance driver's driving time. Instead of writing down driving hours by hand, most interstate drivers are now required to log them electronically. This rule makes it easier to confirm that drivers are following the daily driving limits.

Honoring Guaranteed Delivery Dates

For an added fee, a customer can negotiate a guaranteed delivery date. If a long distance moving company agrees in writing to guarantee a delivery date, it must honor that date. Otherwise, it is in breach of contract and may have to compensate the customer.

Disclosing the Transportation Method

Carriers and brokers should disclose their method of transportation to the customer: a shared load or a dedicated truck. This keeps things transparent for the customer when choosing a moving option.

Putting Estimated Contract Terms in Writing

All long distance moving companies are required to give the customer every estimate detail in writing, in the form of a contract. These estimated terms include the estimated rate, estimated volume and estimated delivery window. These details let both parties check the agreed terms if a billing or delivery dispute comes up.

Documenting Potential Added Fees

If there is a chance your quote may change (and there usually is), the moving company must state on the contract how and why. Common added fees include stairs, bulky items, additional packing, shuttle fees, long carry fees and added volume. Requiring movers to list these fees on their bill of lading and estimates keeps pricing transparent and reduces complaints and disputes with movers.

Keeping a Record of All Estimates and Booked Jobs

Every moving company must keep a record of all estimates it sends and jobs it books. If a mover gets audited for any reason, it must hand these documents over to a DOT representative. While a DOT audit can happen for many reasons, the main reason is usually complaints filed against the moving company.

Binding vs. Non-Binding Estimates

Every long distance moving estimate must clearly state the estimate type: binding or non-binding. This tells the customer whether their quote is binding (locked in) or non-binding (the price can change).

Advising of Estimate Increases Before Loading

If a moving estimate is inaccurate, the long distance moving company must tell the customer before loading the household goods. If a mover waits until after your belongings are loaded to announce a price increase, and refuses to deliver unless you pay it, this is considered a hostage move and is against FMCSA rules. On a non-binding estimate, the mover cannot require you to pay more than 110% of the estimate at delivery. Find out more about when movers can legally charge more than the estimate.

Deposit, Cancellation and Refund Policies

To help prevent deceptive business practices, household goods brokers must clearly post their deposit, cancellation and refund policies on their website and in their agreements with customers. Many movers and brokers refund your deposit in full if you cancel at least 72 hours before your scheduled move date, so get the cancellation terms in writing before you pay. This helps protect consumers from disreputable movers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What If My Mover Is Late?

A delay with the pickup or delivery of your items can be frustrating, but it is not always illegal. If you paid for a guaranteed delivery date, you can request compensation for breach of contract or take legal action.

Can My Mover Deliver My Load on the Same Day?

If your move is between 100 and 500 miles, same-day delivery is possible. Same-day delivery often requires a dedicated truck and crew and is generally billed at a higher rate.

How Do I Guarantee My Delivery Date With Movers?

Contact a long distance moving company that offers guaranteed delivery dates and ask for a quote. If a mover agrees to guarantee your delivery date, get it in writing. Not many moving companies guarantee delivery dates, so if you find one that does, expect to pay a premium.

A Mover Charged Me More Than the Agreed Price. Is That Legal?

If your estimate is non-binding, a moving company can legally charge more than the original estimate. If your estimate is binding, the mover cannot change the price, as long as you did not change the scope of the move (for example, by adding inventory or extra services).

My Movers Are Holding My Items Hostage. What Should I Do?

If your belongings are being held hostage, file a complaint with the FMCSA right away through the National Consumer Complaint Database or by calling 1-888-368-7238. This process can take time, but the FMCSA can step in on hostage moves. Read why an FMCSA complaint isn't a quick fix and what else you can do.