New York

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

License Required

Yes

Yes. A Household Goods Operating Authority must be obtained from NYSDOT before intrastate service.

Insurance Required

Yes. Must file standard liability insurance via Form E and cargo insurance coverage.

Tariff Required

Yes. Mover must file a tariff with NYSDOT; rates and accessorial charges must be publicly available.

USDOT / UCR Required

Where applicable. A USDOT number is required for certain 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

Varies by application scope; includes licensing and tariff-filing costs.

Consumer Complaints

Handled by NYSDOT’s moving complaints unit under intrastate jurisdiction.

OverviewOverview & Scope

Operating as a household goods mover between any locations within New York State requires operating authority issued by NYSDOT. The process includes safety evaluation, insurance verification, and a 30-day public notice period.

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 Steps

Movers must complete the following to operate legally:

1. Submit an Application through NYSDOT’s Carrier Certification System using a NY.GOV ID.
2. Attend an Entrance Conference and Safety & Compliance Class where fitness, tariffs, claims, and operational practices are evaluated.
3. File Form E (liability insurance) and cargo insurance (minimum $5,000 per vehicle; $10,000 aggregate).
4. Provide a filed tariff detailing all rates, services, and accessorial charges.
5. Establish a bona fide business location within New York State.
6. After the 30-day public notification period, if approved, receive a probationary operating certificate, which can be converted to permanent authority upon successful performance.

Advertising must include the authorized name, certificate number, and address, and carriers must provide a “Summary of Information for Shippers of Household Goods” before the move begins.

ConsumerConsumer Protections

New York regulations ensure strong consumer safeguards:

• Movers must provide written estimates and disclose all applicable charges.
• If the final cost exceeds the estimate, consumers are entitled to 15 days to pay the overage.
• Claims for damage or overcharge must be submitted in writing; the mover must respond within 30 days and resolve within 120.
• Consumers can file unlicensed or service-related complaints directly with NYSDOT’s intrastate moving complaints unit.
• A Bill of Lading and “Important Notice to Consumers” must be issued at pickup.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• NYSDOT Household Goods Operating Authority (probationary certificate, or permanent authority once converted)Where applicable (mover performs household goods moves between locations within New York State)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Form E liability insurance and cargo insurance (minimum $5,000 per vehicle; $10,000 aggregate) filed with NYSDOTWhere applicable (mover holds NYSDOT Household Goods Operating Authority)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Tariff filed with NYSDOT, including all rates, services and accessorial chargesWhere applicable (mover holds NYSDOT Household Goods Operating Authority)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)

• USDOT numberWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles that meet federal thresholds or are used interstate)Verified by DocumentRequired

Customer practices

• Advertising shows the authorized name, certificate number and addressWhere applicable (mover holds NYSDOT Household Goods Operating Authority)Verified by AffirmationRequired
• “Summary of Information for Shippers of Household Goods” provided before the move beginsWhere applicable (mover holds NYSDOT Household Goods Operating Authority)Verified by AffirmationRequired
• Written estimates disclosing all applicable charges, with 15 days allowed to pay any amount over the estimateWhere applicable (mover holds NYSDOT Household Goods Operating Authority)Verified by AffirmationRequired
• Bill of lading and “Important Notice to Consumers” issued at pickupWhere applicable (mover holds NYSDOT Household Goods Operating Authority)Verified by AffirmationRequired
• Written claims responded to within 30 days and resolved within 120 daysWhere applicable (mover holds NYSDOT Household Goods Operating Authority)Verified by AffirmationRequired