California Moving Company Regulations
Movers doing in-state household moves in California need a permit from the Bureau of Household Goods and Services.
Do Movers Need a License in California?
Yes. Movers doing in-state household moves in California need a permit from the Bureau of Household Goods and Services.
- Permitted movers can be checked on the Bureau's website.
What this means when you hire a mover in California
Because California requires state authority, a mover doing in-state work there has filed with Bureau of Household Goods and Services (Dept. of Consumer Affairs) — and the state can refuse, suspend or revoke that authority. Ask any mover quoting an in-state move for its state license number (Household movers permit) and check it with the regulator before you sign.
A USDOT number alone doesn't prove a mover holds California authority: the FMCSA record and the state record are separate. Our listings show the federal record; the state check is one you make with BHGS — verify a mover.
Moving Out of California? Federal Rules Apply
The state rules above only cover moves that start and end in California. The moment your move crosses a state line, the mover answers to the FMCSA, and the federal consumer rules below protect you instead.
In short: the mover must give you a written estimate with two federal booklets, survey your belongings before quoting unless you waive it in writing, collect no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, offer full value protection, and give you at least nine months to file a damage claim. Each guide below explains one of those rules and links to the regulation text.
Is Your Move In-State or Interstate?
It depends on where your belongings start and end, not on how far they travel. A move from Los Angeles to Sacramento stays inside California, so the state rules on this page apply. A move from Los Angeles to any city in another state is interstate, and federal rules apply instead — even if it's a short drive across the line.
The difference matters when you pick a mover. A company registered for in-state moves only can't legally take your belongings across a state line, so check the registration type before you compare prices.
Where to Complain About a California Mover
- In-state move: Bureau of Household Goods and Services (Dept. of Consumer Affairs), which can act against the mover's state authority, and the California Attorney General's consumer protection office.
- Interstate move: the FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database — or, if a mover won't release your goods after you've paid what the rules allow, the FMCSA at (888) 368-7238. For loss or damage, file a written claim with the mover first — see damage claims & arbitration.
- Either way: keep the estimate, the bill of lading, the inventory, receipts and photos. A complaint with paperwork attached is one a regulator can act on.
Red Flags When Hiring a Mover in California
None of these proves a scam on its own. Two or more together is a reason to walk away.
- A quote over the phone or by email with no survey of your belongings.
- A large cash deposit demanded before the move.
- No company name on the truck, or a name and USDOT number that don't match the estimate.
- A blank or incomplete contract you're asked to sign "to save time".
- A price that changes once your belongings are already on the truck.
- A company that can't give you a physical address or a license number.
California Movers in Our Directory
Of the 3,305 California-based movers we list from FMCSA records, 2,237 are registered for in-state moves only — for those, the California rules above are what governs your move. 1,068 are registered to cross state lines.
Most are small: 77% report a single truck to the FMCSA, 20% run two to five, and 17 report more than 20. The largest fleet on file belongs to ND FREIGHTS INC in Richmond, with 54 trucks. Los Angeles has the most movers (205), followed by Sacramento (144).
Browse all California movers →California moving rules: common questions
Do movers need a license in California?
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Yes. Movers doing in-state household moves in California need a permit from the Bureau of Household Goods and Services.
Who regulates moving companies in California?
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For moves that stay inside California: Bureau of Household Goods and Services (Dept. of Consumer Affairs). For moves that cross a state line: the federal FMCSA, as in every state.
What rules apply to a move from California to another state?
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Federal ones. The mover needs a USDOT number and interstate registration, must give you a written estimate with the two federal booklets, can't collect more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, and must give you at least nine months to file a damage claim.
How do I check a California mover before hiring?
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For in-state moves, check the mover with BHGS — verify a mover. For any mover, look up its USDOT number — our USDOT lookup shows the federal record, including whether it's registered for interstate moves.
Can a mover registered for in-state moves only take me out of California?
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No. Crossing a state line needs federal registration for interstate operation. 2,237 of the California movers we list are registered for in-state moves only; each listing on our site says which kind of registration a mover holds.
Where can I complain about a California moving company?
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For an in-state move, the regulator (Bureau of Household Goods and Services (Dept. of Consumer Affairs)) and the California Attorney General's consumer protection office. For a move across state lines, the FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database.
Sources
Checked October 26, 2026. State rules change; confirm with the regulator before you rely on them. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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