Hiring movers means handing a stranger almost everything you own. Most moving companies are honest, hardworking businesses, but the industry also attracts rogue operators who quote low, load your belongings, and then demand far more money before they’ll unload. The good news is that a few minutes of checking can weed out nearly all of them.
Here’s how to confirm a mover is properly licensed, what warning signs to watch for, and which questions to ask before you sign anything.
Why Licensing Matters
A license isn’t just paperwork. To get one, a mover has to register with the government, carry required insurance, and agree to follow rules on pricing, estimates, and how complaints are handled. If something goes wrong with a licensed mover, you have a regulator to complain to and a paper trail to rely on. With an unlicensed mover, you often have nothing but a phone number that stops working.
Which license you need to check depends on where you’re moving.
Moving Within California: Check the Cal-T Number
Any company that moves household goods from one California address to another must hold a Household Mover Permit from the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS), part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. This permit is commonly called a Cal-T number. Oversight used to sit with the California Public Utilities Commission, which is why you’ll still see older guides refer to the CPUC, but BHGS took over in 2018.
California movers must display their Cal-T number on their vehicles and in their advertising, so a legitimate company will make it easy to find. A licensed moving company in California will typically list its Cal-T number right on its website, often alongside its USDOT number.
To verify it:
- Find the Cal-T number on the mover’s website, truck, or estimate. If you can’t find it, ask for it directly.
- Go to the BHGS license lookup tool on the bureau’s website.
- Search by the company name or permit number.
- Confirm the status shows as active and that the business name and address match the company you’re talking to.
If a company dodges the question or gives you a number that doesn’t match its name, move on.
Moving Out of State: Check the USDOT Number
Interstate moves fall under federal rules enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Movers that carry household goods across state lines need a USDOT number, and for-hire interstate movers also need operating authority, usually shown as an MC number.
To verify it:
- Ask for the mover’s USDOT number (and MC number if they handle interstate moves).
- Search the number on the FMCSA’s website, including its Protect Your Move resources for consumers.
- Check that the company is authorized to carry household goods, that its registration is active, and that the name matches.
- Look over its complaint history and safety record while you’re there.
Also note whether you’re talking to an actual moving company or a broker. Brokers arrange moves but don’t own trucks or perform the work themselves. That’s not automatically a problem, but you deserve to know who will actually show up at your door.
Red Flags That Signal a Rogue Mover
Even with a license number in hand, watch for these warning signs:
- A large cash deposit up front: Reputable movers rarely ask for big deposits, and almost never insist on cash. Paying by credit card gives you more protection if something goes wrong.
- No in-home or video walkthrough: A quote given over the phone in two minutes, without anyone seeing your belongings, is a classic setup for a much higher bill on moving day.
- A price far below everyone else’s: If one quote is dramatically lower than three others, it’s usually bait, not a bargain.
- Vague or blank paperwork: Never sign a contract with empty fields, missing prices, or terms you don’t understand.
- No physical address: A real business has a real location. Look it up and make sure it isn’t just a mailbox or a residential address with no sign.
- A rental truck with no company name: Established movers operate their own branded, marked vehicles.
- Pressure to book immediately: Legitimate companies will give you time to compare quotes.
- Reviews that don’t add up: A sudden burst of five-star reviews with no detail, or a company name that changes from one review site to another, deserves a closer look.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
A short conversation tells you a lot. Ask every mover you’re considering:
- What are your Cal-T and USDOT numbers?
- Will your own crew and trucks handle my move, or will it be subcontracted?
- Is this estimate binding, non-binding, or a not-to-exceed price, and what could make the final cost change?
- What valuation coverage is included, and what does full-value protection cost?
- How do you charge for stairs, long carries, packing materials, or storage?
- What form of payment do you accept, and when is payment due?
- How do I file a claim if something is damaged?
- Can you put everything we discussed in writing?
Clear, confident answers are a good sign. Hesitation, vague promises, or “we’ll sort that out on moving day” are not.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If you run into trouble with an in-state mover, you can file a complaint with BHGS. For interstate moves, file with the FMCSA through its National Consumer Complaint Database. Keep copies of your estimate, contract, inventory list, receipts, and any texts or emails with the company. Good records make a claim or complaint far easier to resolve.
The Bottom Line
Checking a mover’s license takes about five minutes, and it’s the single best way to protect yourself from a moving scam. Look up the Cal-T number for moves within California, the USDOT number for moves across state lines, watch for the red flags above, and get everything in writing. A trustworthy mover will welcome the questions.