Independent federal mover lookup
Check the mover
before you pay.
Search the company name or USDOT number on your estimate. We organize the federal record and explain what still needs to be checked.
Federal registration and safety records, updated Aug 2026.
About the data
What the federal records can tell you.
Registration, authority, insurance filings and safety activity answer different questions. If a field is missing, we say so instead of treating it as good or bad news.
Select any row to browse and search the records included in that number. Some companies have no recent inspections, so they may have little or no safety data.
Who moves your belongings?
the role matters88%carriers
Carriers move belongings6,339
Brokers arrange moves868
What to verify before paying
official evidenceGuides
View all guides →Practical help before moving day
Costs & Quotes
Cheap Movers: How to Save Money Without Hiring a Risky Moving Company
Looking for cheap movers? Learn how to cut moving costs safely, compare low quotes, spot lowball estimates, check deposits and fees, and verify the mover.
Read the guide →Costs & Quotes
Full-Service Movers: What 'Full Service' Actually Includes—and What Costs Extra
Full-service movers can pack, load, transport, unload, and more. Learn what is really included, what costs extra, and how to compare quotes before booking.
Read the guide →Estimates & Contracts
Moving Company Storage: What Happens When Movers Store Your Belongings?
Using moving company storage? Learn how storage-in-transit works, what it costs, when liability changes, what to ask about the warehouse, and key red flags.
Read the guide →Check a Mover
Long-Distance Movers: How to Vet a Company Before an Interstate Move
Hiring long-distance movers? Verify the carrier, broker, estimate, delivery window, fees, insurance, complaints, and payment terms before you book.
Read the guide →Check a Mover
Moving Company Checklist: 30 Things to Check Before You Pay a Deposit
Use this moving company checklist before you book: verify the mover, compare quotes, check fees, contracts, insurance, complaints, payment, and delivery.
Read the guide →Check a Mover
20 Questions to Ask a Moving Company Before You Hire Them
Use these 20 questions to ask movers before hiring. Check licensing, broker status, estimates, fees, delivery, insurance, claims and payment terms.
Read the guide →Before you pay
Check the company named on your estimate.
Start with the legal name and USDOT number. Then check permission, insurance filings and the available safety record.
Is this the exact company on your estimate?
- Legal name matches
- USDOT and MC numbers match
- Carrier or broker role is clear
If yes
Continue to authority and insurance.
If no
Do not pay. Ask for corrected paperwork identifying the legal company.
Can it legally perform or arrange this move?
- Active household-goods authority matched
- Expected liability, cargo, or bond filings found
- No current stop order found
If confirmed
Review the safety and operating record.
If missing or unclear
Open the live FMCSA record and get written clarification before paying.
Does the operating record raise questions?
- Enough inspections to interpret rates
- Crash severity viewed alongside fleet size
- Safety dates and MCS-150 filing are current
If the evidence is current
Compare the contract, deposit terms, and mover identity one final time.
If data is old or sparse
Do not assume “zero” means safe. Verify directly and ask more questions.
Before any depositSave the estimate, inventory, authority check, insurance check, and payment receipt.Check a moving company →
Before you pay a moving deposit
How do I check if a moving company is legitimate?
First, match the exact legal name and federal ID number on your estimate. Then confirm the company is currently allowed to move household goods, has the required insurance records, and is not under an order to stop operating.
What is the difference between a carrier and a broker?
A carrier owns or operates the trucks that move your belongings. A broker finds another company to do the move. If you hire a broker, ask which carrier will handle your shipment and check that company too.
What does “out of service” mean?
During an inspection, a vehicle or driver can be stopped from continuing because inspectors found a serious safety problem. The percentage shows how often that happened across the company’s inspections.
What should I verify before paying a deposit?
Confirm the legal company name, USDOT and MC numbers, household-goods authority, required insurance filings, the company that will physically handle the move, and every charge in the written estimate. Save a copy of each record.