Maine Moving Company Regulations
Maine no longer licenses movers. The statute that required an operating authority license for carrying household goods for hire (29-A M.R.S. §552) was repealed in 2009.
Do Movers Need a License in Maine?
No. Maine no longer licenses movers. The statute that required an operating authority license for carrying household goods for hire (29-A M.R.S. §552) was repealed in 2009.
- Complaints about movers fall under Maine's Unfair Trade Practices Act, handled by the Attorney General's consumer protection division.
What this means when you hire a mover in Maine
With no state license to check, your protection on an in-state Maine move comes from three places: the written contract, the mover's federal registration if it has a USDOT number, and the state's general consumer protection law, enforced by the Maine Attorney General.
That makes the paperwork matter more. Get the estimate, the services and the payment terms in writing, and don't let anyone load your belongings until you have it.
Moving Out of Maine? Federal Rules Apply
The state rules above only cover moves that start and end in Maine. 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 Auburn to Augusta stays inside Maine, so the state rules on this page apply. A move from Auburn 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 Maine Mover
- In-state move: the Maine 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 Maine
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.
Maine Movers in Our Directory
Of the 70 Maine-based movers we list from FMCSA records, 27 are registered for in-state moves only — for those, the Maine rules above are what governs your move. 43 are registered to cross state lines.
Most are small: 74% report a single truck to the FMCSA, 21% run two to five, and 0 report more than 20. The largest fleet on file belongs to NADEAU'S TOWING & RECOVERY in Lewiston, with 12 trucks. Auburn has the most movers (5), followed by Augusta (4).
Browse all Maine movers →Maine moving rules: common questions
Do movers need a license in Maine?
+
No. Maine no longer licenses movers. The statute that required an operating authority license for carrying household goods for hire (29-A M.R.S. §552) was repealed in 2009.
Who regulates moving companies in Maine?
+
For moves that stay inside Maine: Maine Attorney General (consumer protection). For moves that cross a state line: the federal FMCSA, as in every state.
What rules apply to a move from Maine to another state?
+
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 Maine mover before hiring?
+
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 Maine?
+
No. Crossing a state line needs federal registration for interstate operation. 27 of the Maine 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 Maine moving company?
+
For an in-state move, the Maine 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.
← Moving rules in all 50 states