New Jersey

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

License Required

Yes

Yes. Intrastate movers must obtain a Public Mover License (or Warehouseman or Combo License).

Insurance Required

Yes. Must maintain cargo, bodily injury, property damage, and workers’ compensation insurance.

Tariff Required

Yes. Must keep a filed tariff; estimates must be based on that tariff.

USDOT/UCR Required

Where applicable. A USDOT number is required for interstate or threshold vehicles; UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) applies if operating interstate. Official UCR guidance is at plan.ucr.gov and filing at www.ucr.gov.

Application Fee

Annual licensing fee; varies by mover and number of vehicles.

Consumer Complaints

Filed with the Division of Consumer Affairs regulatedbusiness@dca.njoag.gov Online Form

OverviewOverview & Scope

Anyone operating intrastate household goods moves (that is, moves both originating and terminating within New Jersey) must be licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Public Movers & Warehousemen Licensing Act. This includes public movers, warehousemen, or combo operators (PC license types).

Federal requirements are separate: a USDOT number attaches to the company operating vehicles that meet federal thresholds or run interstate, and UCR applies to interstate operations. Where a mover subcontracts transport, the carrier’s own registrations cover the transport it performs.

RegistrationRegistration & Licensing Requirements

Movers must:

1. Obtain the appropriate license type:
   • PM: Public Mover only
   • PW: Warehouseman only
   • PC: Combo license permitting both services
2. Maintain and file required insurance, including:
   • Cargo liability
   • Bodily injury and property damage
   • Workers’ compensation
3. Register each vehicle (where the mover operates its own vehicles), prominently displaying the mover license number on both sides of the truck.
4. Use tariff-based pricing:
   • Provide estimates and contracts based on a filed tariff.
   • Keep tariff documents available at the main office and for consumer access.
5. Issue written estimates and contracts, including the state’s “Important Notice to Consumers” brochure.

ConsumerConsumer Protections & Enforcement

• Unlicensed operators face civil penalties, typically $2,500 per violation; repeat offenders may receive heightened fines and vehicle impoundment.
• Intrastate movers must provide:
  • Written estimates based on tariff
  • Bill of Lading before the move
  • Liability compensation up to $1.00 per pound, per article, unless greater valuation coverage is purchased
• Consumers can verify mover license status and complaint history online or via phone and report issues such as fraud, damage, or unprofessional conduct.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• Division of Consumer Affairs license of the type matching the services offered (PM Public Mover, PW Warehouseman, or PC Combo)Where applicable (mover performs intrastate household goods moves or storage within New Jersey)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Cargo, bodily injury and property damage, and workers’ compensation insurance maintained and filedWhere applicable (mover holds a New Jersey mover or warehouseman license)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Tariff filed and kept available at the main office for consumer accessWhere applicable (mover holds a New Jersey mover or warehouseman license)Verified by DocumentRequired
• UCR registrationWhere applicable (mover engages in interstate operations)Verified by DocumentRequired

Subcontracted transport

• Where transport is subcontracted, the mover uses carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they performWhere applicableVerified by AffirmationRequired

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

• Each vehicle registered, with the mover license number displayed on both sidesWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• USDOT numberWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles that meet federal thresholds or are used interstate)Verified by DocumentRequired

Customer practices

• Written estimates and contracts based on the filed tariff, with the state’s “Important Notice to Consumers” brochureWhere applicable (licensed intrastate mover)Verified by AffirmationRequired
• Bill of lading provided before the moveWhere applicable (licensed intrastate mover)Verified by AffirmationRequired
• Liability of up to $1.00 per pound, per article, unless greater valuation coverage is purchasedWhere applicable (licensed intrastate mover)Verified by AffirmationRequired