New Hampshire

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

License Required

Yes

Yes. Household goods carriers must obtain a Certificate of Authority before operating.

Insurance Required

Yes. Movers must file insurance or a surety bond sufficient to protect property.

Tariff

No. Statutory tariff requirements have been eliminated; carriers now set and disclose rates independently.

USDOT/UCR Required

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

Application Fee

Yes. Modest fees apply upon application; annual per-vehicle fees may apply.

Consumer Complaints

Managed through the DMV’s Bureau of Road Toll; hearings and complaint process.

OverviewOverview & Scope

Effective January 1, 2023, New Hampshire implemented a new intrastate moving framework under RSA Chapter 359-T, replacing older tariff and utility-based mandates with a streamlined Certificate of Authority regime. Household goods movers must now be licensed to operate, but tariffs no longer need to be filed with the state.

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 & Documentation Requirements

To operate legally:

1. Obtain a Certificate of Authority from the DMV’s Bureau of Road Toll.
2. Post Insurance or Bond as required under RSA 359-T:8 to ensure protection of consumer property.
3. Provide Written Estimates before performing moves, including:
   • Cost estimates
   • Customer’s rights
   • Over-estimate procedures
4. Be prepared for inspections or hearings as needed.

ConsumerConsumer Protections

The updated New Hampshire framework enhances transparency and safeguards consumers by requiring:

• Written estimates outlining costs and protections
• A process to address disputes via DMV hearings
• Public accountability of carrier operations

Consumers can file complaints under RSA 359-T:15 to initiate review or hearing proceedings.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• Certificate of Authority from the DMV Bureau of Road Toll under RSA 359-TWhere applicable (mover performs intrastate household goods moves within New Hampshire)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Insurance or surety bond under RSA 359-T:8Where applicable (mover holds a Certificate of 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

• Written estimate given before the move, including cost estimate, customer’s rights and over-estimate proceduresWhere applicable (mover holds a Certificate of Authority)Verified by AffirmationRequired