New York Moving Company Regulations
New York in-state movers need a certificate from NYSDOT (Transportation Law §191). New carriers start with probationary authority.
Do Movers Need a License in New York?
Yes. New York in-state movers need a certificate from NYSDOT (Transportation Law §191). New carriers start with probationary authority.
What this means when you hire a mover in New York
Because New York requires state authority, a mover doing in-state work there has filed with New York State Department of Transportation — and the state can refuse, suspend or revoke that authority. Ask any mover quoting an in-state move for its state license number (Household goods carrier certificate) and check it with the regulator before you sign.
A USDOT number alone doesn't prove a mover holds New York authority: the FMCSA record and the state record are separate. Our listings show the federal record; the state check is one you make with the regulator.
Moving Out of New York? Federal Rules Apply
The state rules above only cover moves that start and end in New York. 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 Brooklyn to New York stays inside New York, so the state rules on this page apply. A move from Brooklyn 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 New York Mover
- In-state move: New York State Department of Transportation, which can act against the mover's state authority, and the New York 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 New York
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.
New York Movers in Our Directory
Of the 1,564 New York-based movers we list from FMCSA records, 1,039 are registered for in-state moves only — for those, the New York rules above are what governs your move. 525 are registered to cross state lines.
Most are small: 75% report a single truck to the FMCSA, 22% run two to five, and 6 report more than 20. The largest fleet on file belongs to MOTHANA MAHER HUSSEIN TR in Staten Island, with 1,188 trucks. Brooklyn has the most movers (121), followed by New York (86).
Browse all New York movers →New York moving rules: common questions
Do movers need a license in New York?
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Yes. New York in-state movers need a certificate from NYSDOT (Transportation Law §191). New carriers start with probationary authority.
Who regulates moving companies in New York?
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For moves that stay inside New York: New York State Department of Transportation. For moves that cross a state line: the federal FMCSA, as in every state.
What rules apply to a move from New York 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 New York mover before hiring?
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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 New York?
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No. Crossing a state line needs federal registration for interstate operation. 1,039 of the New York 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 New York moving company?
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For an in-state move, the regulator (New York State Department of Transportation) and the New York 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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