The Florida numbers
Florida has 3,874 household-goods movers on record. Of those, 1,422 (36.7%) have no federal interstate operating authority. That means they may only move you from one Florida address to another. Across the United States the share is 31.9% (12,031 of 37,681 movers on record). Florida ranks 15th of 51 on this measure. By comparison, 595 household-goods carriers based in Florida hold active federal interstate authority. These figures come from MovePricer's analysis of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) licensing and insurance, revocation and out-of-service data, compiled November 1, 2026.
Being an in-state-only mover isn't a red flag in itself. Many legitimate local companies never leave Florida. The risk comes when your move crosses a state line and the company you hired isn't allowed to do it.
Why the state line matters
FMCSA says interstate moving companies must get authority from the agency and follow federal requirements. Moves that stay entirely inside one state are regulated by state law. In Florida, Chapter 507 of the Florida Statutes requires anyone doing intrastate moving to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). That state registration covers moves within Florida. It doesn't give a company federal authority to move you across state lines.
Distance has nothing to do with it. A move from the Panhandle into Alabama, or from north Florida into Georgia, is an interstate move even if it's shorter than a trip across one Florida county. The Surface Transportation Board also limits its oversight to moves that cross state lines. It sends questions about in-state moves to state agencies and attorneys general.
What protections apply to an interstate move
When a mover with federal authority takes you across a state line, federal consumer-protection rules apply. They include:
- Written estimates. FMCSA says your mover must give you a written estimate of all charges, and that a "rate quote" isn't an estimate. On a binding estimate, you don't pay more than the estimated amount at delivery. On a non-binding estimate, the mover can't make you pay more than 110% of it at delivery.
- Liability options. Interstate movers must offer Full Value Protection or Released Value. Released Value is free but covers very little, typically 60 cents per pound per article.
- Dispute resolution. Interstate movers must have an arbitration program for disputes over loss, damage and certain charges.
- The rights booklet. Movers must give you FMCSA's guide, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. The guide notes that FMCSA itself can't settle your dispute with a mover.
Federal rules can only be enforced against a company that is actually under federal authority. If you hire an in-state-only mover for an interstate job, these protections may be much harder to use.
Recent Florida enforcement
On May 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General, working with the Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, reached a civil settlement with Nationwide Moving Services, Inc. and its owner, Frank Lucido. Investigators found failures that included misrepresenting who would move consumers' goods, raising prices arbitrarily during moves, and losing or damaging property. Those practices violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The settlement totals $600,000: $415,000 in restitution to customers, $50,000 in civil penalties and $135,000 in the Attorney General's investigation costs.
In 2022, the Attorney General's office filed legal action against three individuals and several moving brokerage businesses, including Gold Standard Moving and Storage. The office alleged the businesses deceived more than 400 Floridians into believing the company handled the moves itself. Attorney General James Uthmeier later announced court orders that permanently ban the operators and entities from the moving business in Florida and require them to pay monetary judgments. His office said the brokerages had presented themselves as moving carriers.
Both cases point to the same lesson: find out who will actually carry your belongings, and confirm that company has the authority to do it.
How to check a mover before you sign
- Get the numbers in writing. Ask for the USDOT number, the federal operating authority (MC) number and the Florida registration number. Under Florida law, a mover's advertisements must include a "Fla. Mover Reg. No." or "Fla. IM No."
- Look up the USDOT record. Use MovePricer's free lookup at movepricer.com/check or FMCSA's tools to confirm active interstate authority for household goods. You need this for any move that crosses a state line. Make sure the legal name matches the name on your estimate.
- For in-state moves, check the company's registration with FDACS.
- Watch for warning signs. The Florida Attorney General's office has warned about estimates given without seeing your belongings, rushed estimates, demands for a deposit, businesses that change names often, surprise fees, and missing paperwork.
- Report problems. For interstate moves, contact FMCSA through Protect Your Move. Florida residents can also call the Attorney General's office at 1-866-9NO-SCAM or visit MyFloridaLegal.com. This article isn't legal advice. For your specific situation, contact FMCSA or the Florida Attorney General.