Texas

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

License Required

Yes

Yes — Intrastate Household Goods Carrier Certificate is mandatory

Insurance Required

Yes

Yes — Liability and cargo insurance must be filed via Form E and Form H/I

Tariff Required

Yes

Yes — Movers must maintain a filed tariff of their rates

USDOT / UCR Required

Yes

Yes — Required for interstate or federally regulated operations

Written Proposal Required

Yes

Yes — Written “proposal” or estimate must be provided before loading

Contract Required

Yes

Yes — A moving services contract must be issued to the shipper prior to loading and at delivery

Application Fee

$100 application fee, plus $10 per vehicle and $100 per insurance filing per Form E/H/I

Consumer Complaints

Through TxDMV’s enforcement division – Online Form

OverviewOverview & Scope

Texas law mandates that every household goods carrier operating within state boundaries hold a valid TxDMV intrastate mover certificate. Operating without one is illegal and may result in significant penalties.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Requirements

Movers must:

1. Apply for a Carrier Certificate through TxDMV.
2. Maintain Proper Insurance Filing:
   • Liability (via Form E)
   • Cargo insurance (via Form H/I)
3. File a Tariff that details services, pricing, and valuation levels.
4. Provide a Written Proposal (binding or not-to-exceed estimate) before loading. It must include carrier name, address, liability limits, and payment terms.
5. Issue a Contract for moving services prior to loading and again at delivery, detailing shipment information, carrier liability, and claims process.
6. Display Official Identifiers:
   • TxDMV certificate number
   • USDOT number (if applicable)
     on all vehicles and marketing materials.
7. Renew annually and update all operational, insurance, and tariff records as needed.

ConsumerConsumer Protections

• Licensure ensures regulation, transparency, and recourse for disputes.
• Required documents—proposal, contract, and tariff—provide clarity and prevent hidden charges.
• Standard mover liability applies automatically, with options for higher declared values.
• Consumers have 90 days to file damage claims, and carriers have timelines to respond and resolve issues.
• Unlicensed movers or “rogue” operators expose consumers to fraud, unregulated practices, and risk of loss.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

• TxDMV Intrastate Household Goods CertificateYes
• Liability & Cargo Insurance FiledYes
• Filed TariffYes
• Written Proposal (Prior to Loading)Yes
• Moving Services Contract (Before & Upon Delivery)Yes
• TxDMV Certificate & USDOT Number DisplayedRequired
• Annual Renewal & Filing UpdatesRequired
• Consumer Complaint Process AvailableProvided