How to Check a Moving Company in Florida Before You Book
Ten minutes and a registration number. That’s what it takes to confirm a mover is allowed to move your things. A move inside Florida is checked with the state. A move to another state is checked with the federal government. Call +1 (941) 392-6022. Bradenton Mover Line connects you with an independent mover, and you can run every check on this page on that mover too.
Calls may be recorded. We may be paid when we connect your call. You pay us nothing.
Which Check Do You Need?
It turns on where your things are going.
| Your move | Who oversees it | Number and where to check it |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Florida, even Bradenton to Pensacola | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services | Fla. Mover Reg. No. or Fla. IM No., in the state’s business search |
| To or from another state | FMCSA, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation | USDOT number, in FMCSA’s SAFER system |
| Through a broker | Florida for in-state, FMCSA for interstate | Fla. Moving Broker Reg. No. or the broker’s federal number, in the same places |
That’s how to check a moving company in Florida: match the move to the right agency, then look up the number.
How Do You Check a Florida Mover’s State Registration?
Four steps.
- Find the number. Florida movers must show their state registration number in their ads. On trucks, it appears on the driver’s door. It should be on your written estimate too.
- Look it up. Search the mover’s name or number in the FDACS Business Search.
- Match the details. The name and address on the record should match the estimate, the website and the truck.
- Call if unsure. The department’s consumer line is 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352).
A moving broker shows a “Fla. Moving Broker Reg. No.” and a statement that it arranges moves with a registered mover. Under Florida law, a broker can’t give you an estimate or a contract. If the company you called is a broker, ask which registered mover will do the job, and check that mover too.
As of December 2023, Florida had 1,348 registered movers and 39 registered brokers, a Florida Senate bill analysis found. A company that isn’t on the state’s list shouldn’t be moving your household goods.
How Do You Check an Interstate Mover?
With its USDOT number. FreightWaves’ 2026 guide says licensed interstate movers must list it on their website, contracts and trucks.
Search the number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov, or through the FMCSA’s protectyourmove.gov site. Then confirm:
- The status is active.
- It has operating authority for household goods. A USDOT number alone only shows a company is in the federal system. The authority is what allows it to move your things for pay.
- It’s listed as a carrier, not a broker, if it says it will do the move itself.
- Insurance is on file. The FMCSA won’t grant authority without it.
- The complaint and safety record. SAFER shows inspections, crash data and complaints.
For an interstate move, the mover must also give you the federal booklet “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.”
What Insurance Should a Florida Mover Carry?
Florida’s moving law, section 507.04, sets minimums. A mover must carry cargo liability coverage of $10,000 per shipment. A mover with two or fewer vehicles can post a $50,000 bond or certificate of deposit instead. Its trucks need liability insurance too.
Ask for a certificate of insurance. Many local condo buildings and Lakewood Ranch associations want one on file before the truck arrives. The name on it should match the registration.
Coverage for your belongings is a separate question. Florida’s minimum is 60 cents per pound per item, so a 50-pound TV pays $30 unless you buy more.
Does Your County License Movers Too?
A few do. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have their own mover rules on top of the state’s. Palm Beach County’s consumer affairs office, for example, licenses movers doing residential moves there.
For a move within Manatee County, the state registration is the check. If either end of your move is in one of those three counties, check the county rules as well.
What Won’t a Lookup Show You?
A registration proves a company is allowed to work. It doesn’t prove the company is honest. The FMCSA lists red flags that no database catches:
- A firm price by phone, sight unseen
- A demand for cash or a large deposit
- Blank paperwork to sign
- A rental truck instead of a marked company truck
- The phone answered with a generic “Movers”
Florida’s Senate analysis adds one more: a price far below the others, followed by a much higher price at the truck. See how to choose a moving company for the full checklist.
What If the Mover Isn’t Registered?
Don’t hire it. An unregistered mover can’t show the coverage Florida requires, and your options are fewer if something goes wrong.
Report it to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA. The Senate analysis notes that unregistered operators can face a cease-and-desist order and a civil penalty of up to $5,000. For an interstate mover without authority, file with the FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.
How Does Bradenton Mover Line Fit In?
Bradenton Mover Line connects your call with an independent mover. It doesn’t vouch for the mover, so check it like any other. Call +1 (941) 392-6022, ask the mover for its registration number on the first call, look it up and read the written estimate before you sign.
If something goes wrong after you hire a mover, see moving problems.
More Questions About Checking a Mover
What If the Name on the Truck Doesn’t Match the Estimate?
Stop and ask why before anything is loaded. The name on the estimate, the registration and the certificate of insurance should all match. A different name can mean a broker passed your job to another company, or a mover working under someone else’s number.
Can You Check a Mover by Phone?
Yes. Call the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA with the company’s name or number. For interstate movers, the FMCSA’s line is 1-888-368-7238.
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One free call. A local mover on the line. A written estimate you can check before you sign.
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Both addresses, your date, the home size, and any stairs or heavy pieces.
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