Of the 479 household-goods movers on record in Alabama, 147 (30.7%) have no federal interstate operating authority. They can legally haul your belongings only between two points in Alabama. That figure comes from MovePricer's analysis of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) licensing, insurance, revocation and out-of-service data, compiled on October 24, 2026.
Alabama is close to the national picture. Across the United States, 12,031 of 37,681 movers on record (31.9%) are in-state only. On this measure, Alabama ranks 19th of the 51 jurisdictions MovePricer ranked. In the same data, 113 Alabama-based household-goods carriers hold active federal interstate authority. That number rises to 120 when you add household-goods brokers with active authority.
Why the line on the map matters
Inside Alabama, movers answer to the state. The Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) requires a certificate or permit whenever household goods are moved for pay from one point in Alabama to another, unless the law exempts the job. To get a household-goods certificate, a mover applies on APSC Form 14H, pays a filing fee and files proof of insurance with the commission.
Once your belongings cross into another state, federal rules generally take over. Every mover hauling household goods across state lines needs FMCSA registration: a USDOT number plus active interstate operating authority. A state certificate doesn't count. A mover with only APSC authority hasn't been cleared by FMCSA to take your sofa from Huntsville to Nashville or from Mobile to Pensacola.
FMCSA does take unauthorized interstate moving to court. In September 2024, a federal court in California entered a final judgment ordering USA Logistics, Inc. to pay $25,000 for repeated unauthorized transportation of household goods. According to FMCSA, the company admitted the violations.
Short metro moves are where people get caught
Several Alabama metro areas spill across a state line, so a move of only a few miles can still be interstate. If you hire a crew for what feels like a local job and it crosses the border, check that the mover is allowed to cross it.
There is one exception to know about. FMCSA's consumer booklet says that moves crossing a state line within certain federally defined commercial zones are exempt from FMCSA's household-goods rules. Its example is a move between Brooklyn, N.Y., and Hackensack, N.J. Whether your short cross-border move falls inside such a zone depends on the exact addresses. Ask the mover in writing which rules it says apply, and confirm with FMCSA if you're unsure.
What federal rules give you on an interstate move
When a properly registered mover handles an interstate move, FMCSA's rules require it to:
- Give you a written estimate. A verbal quote is not an official estimate. The written estimate must be dated and signed by you and the mover.
- Honor price limits at delivery. The mover must deliver your goods once you pay 100% of a binding estimate or 110% of a non-binding estimate, plus any extra services you asked for after the contract was signed.
- Offer a choice of liability coverage. The options are Full (Replacement) Value Protection or a waiver that pays 60 cents per pound per article.
- Give you the FMCSA booklet Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.
These protections only help if the company is actually under FMCSA's authority. FMCSA also says it cannot settle a dispute between you and your mover. Its role is enforcement, including the annual Operation Protect Your Move sweeps aimed at companies with the worst complaint records. FMCSA reports that its 2024 operation led to 60 investigations and more than 30 enforcement actions.
The scam pattern to watch for
The Better Business Bureau describes a common pattern. A dishonest mover waits until your goods are on the truck, then says the load is bigger than estimated and demands more money. Some refuse to unload until you pay. The BBB notes that raising the price after goods are loaded is illegal. FMCSA has run enforcement sweeps specifically to address the jump in complaints about movers holding possessions hostage.
MovePricer did not find a recent Alabama attorney-general action against a specific moving company to report here. If you have a problem, the Alabama Attorney General's Consumer Interest Division takes complaints online or at 1-800-392-5658. For Alabama-only moves, the APSC handles complaints about regulated movers. For interstate moves, file with FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database. This article is not legal advice. For your specific situation, contact FMCSA, the APSC or the Attorney General's office.
How to check a mover before you sign
- Get the USDOT number in writing, along with the company's exact legal name.
- Match the authority to the trip. For an Alabama-only move, confirm the company's APSC authority. For any move that leaves the state, confirm active federal interstate authority for household goods. You can look up any USDOT number for free at movepricer.com/check, or use FMCSA's Protect Your Move tools.
- Ask whether the company is a mover or a broker. A broker arranges the move; a mover actually carries your things.
- Insist on a written estimate that says whether it is binding or non-binding, and choose your liability coverage deliberately.
- Don't sign blank or post-loading contracts, and be wary of large up-front deposits.