Licensing & Compliance Texas, USA

Household Goods Movers

We understand moving is stressful and the TxDMV wants to help you to protect yourself. That’s why we say “Don’t Make A Move Without Us!” By law, Texas movers must be licensed with the TxDMV. If you hire one that isn’t, you risk losing your belongings.

Keep in mind that the lowest price may not be the best deal – especially those offered on Internet message boards or sites. You might fall prey to a dishonest moving company that may demand more money to unload your possessions or fails to show up for delivery.

Before you hire a mover, first check our Truck Stop, the database that can tell you whether a company is licensed with the TxDMV. A licensed Texas mover will have an “Active” TxDMV certificate number on file.

We also prepared Moving Tips and a Moving Checklist to help you with your move. If you do have a problem, we’ll try to help. Please take the time to read the information below so you know what steps to take before and after the move.

• Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move in Texas

Consumer Protection Guide to Moving – Webinar

This presentation will provide anyone looking to hire a moving company with guidance to help prepare for their upcoming household goods move. Representatives from the TxDMV Enforcement Division will provide valuable information to assist consumers with thoroughly searching for a licensed moving company and will promote awareness of the potential red flags for moving fraud.

Click on the following link to see when the next Training Webinar will occur and sign up.

Read all documents before you sign your name.

Even though most movers are legitimate and reputable, unwary consumers may fall prey to dishonest moving companies and could lose more than just what they paid to have their items moved.

Proposals

Once you’ve selected your mover, make sure to get your agreement in writing. A licensed mover will provide you with both a proposal/estimate and a moving services contract BEFORE they begin to load your items. Some will give you a combined form that includes both the proposal and the contract together.

Prior to loading, the mover must provide you with a written proposal describing the services to be performed and indicating the maximum amount that you could be required to pay for their services. The proposal may be either binding or not-to-exceed:

• A binding proposal states the exact price of the move.
• A not-to-exceed proposal states the maximum price of the move but allows the mover to charge less than the maximum.

To receive an accurate estimate, you must notify your mover of all items to be moved and specify required services such as moving your items up or down several flights of stairs, via long carries to/from your dwelling or using an elevator. Some movers will provide services such as these at an additional cost. The proposal should also indicate when payment is due and what forms of payment are accepted.

Contracts

Licensed movers will also provide you with a moving services contract prior to loading your items. The items written on your proposal become a part of your contract along with the contract terms and conditions.

Don’t rely on any verbal agreements.

Be sure all agreements between you and your mover are written into the moving services contract. Last, but not least, remember to read all documents thoroughly and carefully before signing them.

Read all documents before you sign your name.

Even though most movers are legitimate and reputable, unwary consumers may fall prey to dishonest moving companies and could lose more than just what they paid to have their items moved.

Proposals

Once you’ve selected your mover, make sure to get your agreement in writing. A licensed mover will provide you with both a proposal/estimate and a moving services contract BEFORE they begin to load your items. Some will give you a combined form that includes both the proposal and the contract together.

Prior to loading, the mover must provide you with a written proposal describing the services to be performed and indicating the maximum amount that you could be required to pay for their services. The proposal may be either binding or not-to-exceed:

• A binding proposal states the exact price of the move.
• A not-to-exceed proposal states the maximum price of the move but allows the mover to charge less than the maximum.

To receive an accurate estimate, you must notify your mover of all items to be moved and specify required services such as moving your items up or down several flights of stairs, via long carries to/from your dwelling or using an elevator. Some movers will provide services such as these at an additional cost. The proposal should also indicate when payment is due and what forms of payment are accepted.

Contracts

Licensed movers will also provide you with a moving services contract prior to loading your items. The items written on your proposal become a part of your contract along with the contract terms and conditions.

Don’t rely on any verbal agreements.

Be sure all agreements between you and your mover are written into the moving services contract. Last, but not least, remember to read all documents thoroughly and carefully before signing them.

Damage Claims

If you have a dispute about the charges or loss/damage to your goods, you must first file a written claim with your mover within 90 days of the delivery date. You must include enough information for the mover to investigate your claim along with any specific monetary amounts requested or other type of compensation you are seeking. If your mover does not receive your claim on time, your claim could be denied. If your claim involves damaged goods, you should preserve the containers along with the damaged goods so your mover may inspect them.

Your mover has 20 days (excluding Sundays and nationally recognized holidays) to acknowledge your claim in any written form, unless the claim is resolved within 20 days. The Claim Acknowledgement Letter must contain specific language required by the TxDMV rule regarding the claims process and the claimant’s right to request mediation from TxDMV. Your mover’s acknowledgment letter will look similar to the sample posted below. Your mover has 90 days from receipt of a claim to pay, decline to pay, or make a firm settlement offer in writing to the claimant. Your mover has the right to inspect containers or damaged goods within 30 days of receiving your claim. If you are not satisfied with your settlement, you can contact the TxDMV for mediation or you may pursue the claim in a court of law (some counties require mediation before you can pursue your claim in a court of law).

Mediation

Mediation is conducted by a neutral third party and coordinated by TxDMV at no cost to you. Ideally, mediation will be held by telephone conference, by written submission or in person at TxDMV facilities in Austin, Texas. If mediation is unsuccessful, you may pursue the claim in a court of law at your expense.

If you wish to file for mediation through TxDMV, please download our Household Goods Mover Mediation Request Form and submit your request within 30 days after the mover has responded to your claim with an unsatisfactory offer or a denial of your claim, or 90 days after the date you submitted your original claim you have not received a response from the mover.

Mover Complaints

If you feel that your mover is not complying within the rules and regulations set out by the State of Texas you can file a complaint with TxDMV against a mover in several ways:

• Use our automated Complaint Management System (CMS)
• Let us know via e-mail
• Call our consumer helpline at (888) 368-4689. Hours of operation are between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Consumer Protection Guide to Moving – Webinar