In the 12 months before November 1, 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) involuntarily revoked the federal operating authority of 78 New Jersey household-goods movers. That equals 16.4% of the 476 movers based in New Jersey that currently hold active interstate authority. Nationally the rate was 11.3%: 960 involuntary revocations measured against 8,473 licensed movers. New Jersey's rate ranks 5th of 48 states. MovePricer compiled the figures from FMCSA licensing, insurance, revocation and out-of-service datasets.
What an involuntary revocation usually means
A revocation is involuntary when the company didn't ask for it. FMCSA took the authority away. Almost every time, this happens because the mover stopped keeping its required filings with the agency. One is proof of insurance. The other is the designation of a process agent, the person who accepts legal papers for the company. FMCSA requires both to stay on file after authority is granted to avoid revocation. Household-goods carriers have to file public liability insurance and also cargo insurance of at least $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence. The insurance company sends these filings to FMCSA directly.
A revocation doesn't always mean a company is dishonest. A carrier can lose its authority because an insurer made a filing error. A revoked carrier can also petition FMCSA for reinstatement once it fixes the problem, which for an insurance lapse means getting a new filing on record. Still, until the record shows the authority is active again, the company isn't authorized to haul your goods across state lines.
What it means for a family that already booked
- Deposits. If you paid up front, you may be dealing with a company that can't legally do the interstate move it sold you. Get any refund promise in writing.
- Belongings in storage. If your goods are already in a warehouse or on a truck, find out exactly where they are and who controls that facility. In a September 2026 FOX 10 Phoenix report, an Arizona couple found only part of their belongings in a Kansas warehouse after a chain of moving companies handed off the job.
- No insurer behind a claim. If the authority was revoked because insurance lapsed, there may be no insurance company on file to pay a loss or damage claim. That leaves you pursuing the company directly.
New Jersey's own rules and recent enforcement
The federal license covers moves that cross state lines. A move that starts and ends inside New Jersey is covered by a separate state license. All public movers and warehousemen operating within New Jersey must be licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs. Licensed movers have to give a written estimate after an on-site or virtual survey, plus the state brochure "Important Notice to Consumers Using Public Movers and Warehousemen." Know the liability limit before you sign: under the Division's consumer brief, a mover must pay you only up to $1.00 per pound, per article for damage. The Division says its jurisdiction over moves outside New Jersey is limited.
The state runs undercover stings against unlicensed movers. In late 2025, "Operation Safe Move," a two-day operation in Hamilton Township, ended with notices of violation and $5,000 civil penalties against 11 moving companies that the Attorney General's office says were operating without a state license. In 2024 an earlier round, which targeted movers advertising online, cited 23 companies with penalties totaling $125,000. Announcing that round, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said, "Unlicensed movers can be a consumer's worst nightmare."
Holding belongings hostage is an old pattern in the state. In 2013, the state got a $21.2 million default judgment against two North Jersey moving companies. The state said they gave low estimates and then held possessions until customers paid much more.
If your mover has lost its license
- Look up the company's current status on FMCSA's mover search. It shows registration status, complaints and safety information.
- Keep your estimate, bill of lading, inventory and payment receipts. Write down every call.
- File a complaint with FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database or by calling 1-888-368-7238. FMCSA lists a mover operating without required insurance on file as a reportable problem.
- For moves within New Jersey, or for help with any New Jersey company, contact the Division of Consumer Affairs, which works under the state Attorney General.
- This article isn't legal advice. For your specific situation, talk to FMCSA, the New Jersey Attorney General's office or a lawyer.
How to check a mover before you sign
- Moving out of state? Get the company's USDOT number and confirm its authority is active. You can do this with FMCSA's search tool or MovePricer's free lookup at movepricer.com/check, which shows a mover's USDOT record.
- Moving within New Jersey? Verify the state license at newjersey.mylicense.com/verification or call the Division at (973) 504-6442.
- Check twice. Check when you book and again a few days before moving day. Authority can be revoked between the two.
- Know who you're hiring. Ask whether the company is the mover or a broker, and get the name of the carrier that will actually show up.