In the 12 months before October 17, 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) involuntarily revoked the federal operating authority of 58 North Carolina household-goods movers. North Carolina has 343 movers with active federal authority, so that's 16.9% of them. Nationally, 1,050 movers lost authority this way, out of 8,473 licensed: 12.4%. Among the 48 states ranked, North Carolina's rate is the 6th highest. These figures come from MovePricer's compilation of FMCSA licensing, insurance and revocation data.
What an involuntary revocation usually means
When a mover gives up its own authority, the revocation is voluntary. An involuntary revocation means FMCSA took the authority away. In nearly every case the mover either stopped keeping its required insurance on file or failed to keep a legal-process filing current.
Interstate household-goods movers have to keep liability insurance on file, and household goods movers also need cargo coverage on file. Industry compliance guides say that once an insurer cancels a policy and notifies FMCSA, a carrier typically has 30 days before its authority is revoked. The other common filing is the BOC-3. It names a process agent in each state, so legal documents can be served. If that filing lapses, it gets harder for customers to take the company to court.
What it means if you already booked one
- Your deposit may be at risk. A company that has lost its authority can't legally carry your belongings across state lines. If it has also stopped operating, getting money back can be hard.
- Belongings in storage or on a truck. A revoked mover may still have your things. You may have to locate them and negotiate their release with a company that no longer answers to federal licensing.
- No insurer behind a claim. In most cases the mover lost its license because its required coverage lapsed. That means there may be no policy to pay a loss or damage claim.
Recent North Carolina cases
North Carolina families have dealt with movers that wouldn't release their goods. In Charlotte, a Mecklenburg County judge granted the Kellys a temporary restraining order that forbids Global Moving from selling their belongings, according to WSOC-TV. The station also reported that the North Carolina Attorney General's Office is investigating 31 complaints against the company. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said they received 37 complaints last year. The company didn't respond to the station's questions.
In a separate case, a Waxhaw couple sued New Era Relocation, saying it held their furniture after their move to New York. Their account is in the lawsuit; the court order and what was found afterward are below. A judge ordered the company to turn over the items. It turns out they were still on the truck, secured only by a single Master Lock that had been cut.
North Carolina's own mover rules
Moves that start and end inside North Carolina fall under state rules, not federal ones. Under North Carolina law, intrastate movers of household goods must obtain a certificate from the Utilities Commission to operate. Such certificated movers are required to have insurance, to meet other consumer protection requirements, and to comply with the provisions of the Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT).
The Commission publishes a list of certified movers, but the list is updated monthly. Subsequent cancelled, suspended, and newly-issued certificates will not be reflected in the list until the next update. To confirm a mover's current status, you may contact the Commission (919-733-4036) or the Public Staff (919-733-7766).
For moves across state lines, the state attorney general's office will usually refer you to the federal government. In one past case, because the move was interstate, Stein's office referred the complaint to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which oversees interstate movers.
If your mover has lost its license
- Stop sending money until you've confirmed the company's status in writing. Keep your contract, estimate, receipts and every message.
- Find out who has your goods. If a broker booked your move, ask the broker which carrier is actually doing it, and look that carrier up too.
- File complaints. FMCSA takes household-goods complaints through FMCSA's nationwide complaint hotline at 1-888-368-7238 (1-888-DOT-SAFT). For North Carolina moves or companies, file with the N.C. Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. For moves within the state, also contact the Utilities Commission's Public Staff.
- Get advice that fits your situation. This article isn't legal advice. In the cases above, families went to court to get their belongings released. FMCSA and the attorney general's office can explain your options.
How to check a mover before you sign
- Ask for the company's USDOT number, plus its MC number for interstate moves, and its N.C. Utilities Commission certificate ("C" number) for moves within the state.
- Look up the USDOT number in FMCSA's tools at protectyourmove.gov. Make sure the authority is active, it covers household goods, and the name matches your contract.
- You can also check any mover's USDOT record, including its authority and insurance status, with MovePricer's free lookup at movepricer.com/check.
- Check again right before moving day. A mover's authority can be revoked after you book.