West Virginia

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

License Required

Yes

Yes. Must hold a Certificate of Convenience & Necessity to operate intrastate household goods moves.

Insurance Required

Yes. Liability and cargo insurance must be maintained and filed with the PSC.

Tariff Required

Yes. Movers must operate under a PSC-approved tariff with regulated rates.

Oversize/Overweight Moves

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles. Separate permits are required from the WV Department of Transportation.

Local Permits

May be needed for restricted parking or curb use, especially in cities like Charleston or Huntington.

Federal Compliance

USDOT number and FMCSA compliance required for interstate moves.

Consumer Complaints

Consumers have complaint mechanisms through the PSC. The State Attorney General also accepts consumer complaints: Online Form

OverviewOverview & Scope

In West Virginia, any company transporting household goods for compensation within state lines must be authorized by the Public Service Commission with a Certificate of Convenience & Necessity. Movers must comply with insurance, tariff, and permit regulations to ensure legal and transparent operations.

Interstate moves fall under federal USDOT and FMCSA requirements instead. Vehicle permits attach to the company operating the vehicles; where a mover subcontracts transport, the carrier’s own registrations and permits cover the transport it performs.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Requirements

To legally operate:

1. Obtain a Certificate of Convenience & Necessity from the PSC.
2. File Required Insurance, including liability and cargo coverage, as regulated.
3. Operate Within Filed Tariff: all rates and charges must be approved by the PSC.
4. Secure Oversize/Overweight Permits for moves exceeding standard vehicle dimensions or weight, where the mover operates its own vehicles.
5. Comply with City Permitting, such as temporary parking or loading permits in municipal areas, where the mover operates its own vehicles.
6. Meet Federal Requirements, including USDOT registration and compliance with FMCSA if transporting across state lines.

ConsumerConsumer Protections

• Movers are limited to delivering final charges no more than 10% above a nonbinding estimate.
• Consumers may report violations or complaints through the PSC’s enforcement process.
• Transparent tariff pricing ensures clarity and protection from unexpected fees.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• PSC Certificate of Convenience & NecessityWhere applicable (mover transports household goods for compensation within West Virginia)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Liability and cargo insurance filed with the PSCWhere applicable (mover holds a PSC Certificate)Verified by DocumentRequired
• USDOT number and FMCSA registrationWhere applicable (mover transports household goods across state lines)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)

• WV Department of Transportation oversize/overweight permitsWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles on moves exceeding standard dimensions or weight)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Local parking or loading permitsWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles and municipal rules require a permit)Verified by DocumentRequired

Customer practices

• Rates and charges kept within the PSC-approved tariffWhere applicable (mover holds a PSC Certificate)Verified by AffirmationRequired
• Final charges no more than 10% above a nonbinding estimateWhere applicable (mover holds a PSC Certificate)Verified by AffirmationRequired