How to Find Licensed Movers (And Why It Matters)
Moving Tips · 2025-08-22 · 6 min read
Unlicensed movers cost Americans millions in damages, scams, and lost deposits every year. Here's exactly how to verify a mover is legitimate — and why Scan To Move only works with licensed, insured professionals.
Hiring an unlicensed mover is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. Every year, thousands of customers lose deposits, watch their belongings held hostage, or discover their "mover" was a guy with a rented truck and no insurance.
The good news: verifying a mover takes five minutes. Here's exactly what to check, where to check it, and the red flags that should send you running.
Why Licensing Matters
Licensed movers are regulated. They carry mandated insurance, follow DOT pricing rules, and can be held accountable if something goes wrong. Unlicensed movers operate in a gray zone — and when they disappear with your deposit or damage your furniture, you have almost no recourse.
In 2024–2025, the Better Business Bureau received over 12,000 complaints about moving companies. A majority involved unlicensed or uninsured operators. The average financial loss: $1,800.
What to Look For: USDOT Number
Any company that moves goods across state lines must have a USDOT number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Here's how to verify one:
- Ask the mover for their USDOT number.
- Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and search the number.
- Check that the company name matches exactly.
- Review their safety rating, insurance status, and complaint history.
If the mover refuses to provide a USDOT number, or the number doesn't match the company name, do not book.
What to Look For: State Licensing
Local and intrastate moves don't require a USDOT number, but they do require state-level licensing. Requirements vary by state:
- New York: NY DOT number (verify at dmv.ny.gov).
- California: CPUC permit (verify at cpuc.ca.gov).
- Texas: TX DMV number.
- Florida: FDACS mover registration.
If you're unsure what your state requires, search "[your state] mover license lookup." Most states maintain a public database.
What to Look For: Insurance Coverage
Licensed movers carry two types of insurance:
- General liability: covers damage to buildings, hallways, and common areas.
- Cargo / shipment insurance: covers damage to your actual belongings.
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before booking. Reputable movers issue these in 24–48 hours. Many buildings require a COI before they'll allow a move at all.
Also understand valuation options. Federal law requires movers to offer two levels:
- Released value protection: free, but only covers $0.60 per pound per item. A 50-pound TV gets you $30 if it's destroyed.
- Full value protection: costs extra, but covers repair, replacement, or cash value of damaged items.
If a mover only offers released value and won't discuss full value protection, that's a warning sign.
Red Flags to Avoid
- No license number on the website or quote. Legitimate movers display this proudly.
- A quote 40%+ lower than every other bid. Classic bait-and-switch. The low price gets you to book; the real price arrives on move day.
- Demands a large deposit. Reputable movers rarely require more than 20% upfront. Some take nothing until delivery.
- No physical address. A PO box or residential address is a red flag. Look for a commercial warehouse or office.
- Multiple business names. Search the phone number online. If it turns up under three different company names, it's likely a shell operation.
- Cash-only or wire-transfer-only payments. Legitimate movers accept credit cards, which give you dispute protection.
- Generic trucks without company branding. This often means the "company" is a broker or day-labor ring, not an actual moving business.
How to Verify a Mover Is Legitimate
Beyond checking USDOT and state licenses, do this before you sign anything:
- Search the company name + "complaint" or "scam." Read the first page of results.
- Check the BBB. Look for accreditation and complaint resolution patterns.
- Call the company. Do they answer with a professional greeting and the company name? Or just "moving company"?
- Ask for references. A real mover can provide 2–3 recent customer references.
- Request an in-person or video walkthrough. Scammers avoid detailed inventory discussions because they plan to change the price later.
How Scan To Move Protects You
Every mover on the Scan To Move platform is verified before they can bid. We check USDOT numbers, state licensing, insurance status, and complaint history. Movers who don't meet our standards don't get access.
That means when you scan your home and receive bids, every quote comes from a licensed, insured professional — not a guy with a rented van and a fake Yelp profile. Your inventory is verified by AI, your bids are binding, and your move is protected.