Minnesota

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

License Required

Yes

Yes. Household Goods Mover Permit issued by MnDOT (Minn. Stat. § 221.121)

Insurance Required

Yes. Public liability: $100,000/$300,000; property damage: $50,000 (Form E, where the mover operates its own vehicles); cargo: $50,000 minimum (Form H); plus proof of workers’ compensation coverage

Tariff Required

Yes. Movers must maintain and make available a tariff of rates and charges (Minn. Stat. § 221.161), and may not charge rates other than those on file (§ 221.171)

USDOT Number

Required to apply. Applicants must already hold, or obtain, a USDOT number before a permit can be issued

UCR Required

If engaged in interstate commerce

Driver/Carrier Training

Initial Motor Carrier Contact (IMCC) training must be completed within 90 days of receiving the permit

Registration Fee

$75 per vehicle, annually (Minn. Stat. § 221.131)

Permit Term

12 months, renewed annually along with vehicle registration

Consumer Complaints

Minnesota Attorney General’s Office or MnDOT Commercial Vehicle Operations

OverviewOverview & Scope

Minnesota does require state-level licensing for intrastate household goods movers. Any person providing for-hire household goods transportation within the state must hold a Household Goods Mover Permit issued by MnDOT under Minn. Stat. § 221.121, regardless of whether they also hold interstate operating authority.

Operators are also subject to relevant federal requirements where applicable, including UCR registration if engaged in interstate commerce.

OperationalOperational Requirements

Movers operating in Minnesota must:

1. Obtain a USDOT number, which is required before MnDOT will issue a Household Goods Mover Permit.
2. Submit a completed permit application packet to MnDOT, including the application, a Workers’ Compensation form, and a vehicle registration form.
3. Carry required insurance, filed directly with MnDOT by the insurance company (not a local agent):
   • Form E (Uniform Motor Carrier Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Certificate): $100,000/$300,000 public liability, $50,000 property damage
   • Form H (Cargo): $50,000 minimum coverage
   • Coverage must be maintained continuously; the carrier is responsible for this.
4. Provide proof of workers’ compensation coverage before MnDOT will issue or renew the permit (Minn. Stat. § 176.182).
5. Register each vehicle operated under the permit and pay the $75 annual per-vehicle fee.
6. Complete Initial Motor Carrier Contact (IMCC) training within 90 days of permit issuance.
7. Maintain a tariff of rates and charges at the principal place of business and all terminal locations, prepared in accordance with 49 CFR Part 1310.3, and make it available for public inspection.
8. Charge only the rates on file: a mover may not charge, receive, or refund an amount different from its filed tariff.
9. Display USDOT number on vehicles as required.
10. Comply with vehicle safety standards and inspections as required by state and federal motor carrier regulations.

Certain transports are exempt from some of these requirements, including transportation for government entities under competitive bid and transportation performed for qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

ConsumerConsumer Protections

Minnesota consumers are advised to:

• Verify the mover’s MnDOT permit before booking, since operating without one is a violation of state law.
• Request a copy of the mover’s tariff, since movers are legally required to maintain one and charge only the filed rates.
• Confirm insurance coverage, including proof of liability, cargo, and workers’ compensation coverage.
• Contact the Attorney General’s Office or MnDOT to report issues such as:
  • Damage to property
  • Non-delivery or unreasonable delays
  • Unlicensed operation or overcharging beyond filed tariff rates

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• MnDOT Household Goods Mover Permit (Minn. Stat. § 221.121), renewed annuallyWhere applicable (mover provides for-hire household goods transportation within Minnesota)Verified by DocumentRequired
• USDOT number (required before the permit is issued)Where applicable (mover holds or applies for the MnDOT permit)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Cargo insurance, Form H ($50,000 minimum), filed with MnDOT by the insurerWhere applicable (mover holds the MnDOT permit)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Workers’ compensation coverage, proof provided to MnDOT (Minn. Stat. § 176.182)Where applicable (mover holds the MnDOT permit)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Initial Motor Carrier Contact (IMCC) training completed within 90 days of permit issuanceWhere applicable (mover holds the MnDOT permit)Verified by AffirmationRequired
• Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)Where applicable (mover engaged in interstate commerce)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 under the permit, with the $75 annual per-vehicle fee paid (Minn. Stat. § 221.131)Where applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Liability insurance, Form E ($100,000/$300,000 public liability; $50,000 property damage), filed with MnDOT by the insurerWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• USDOT number displayed on vehicles and vehicle safety standards and inspections complied withWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by AffirmationRequired

Customer practices

• Tariff of rates and charges maintained at the principal place of business and all terminals and available for public inspection (Minn. Stat. § 221.161); only filed rates charged (§ 221.171)Where applicable (mover holds the MnDOT permit)Verified by AffirmationRequired