Regulatory & compliance · Intrastate household goods

Wisconsin

State license required for intrastate household goods moves

Regulated byWisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

License Required: Yes; Yes. Certificate of Authority for Intrastate Household Goods Carriers.
Insurance Required: Yes. Public liability and cargo insurance required.
Tariff Filing Required: Yes. Must file tariffs detailing rates and charges.
Registration Number: Where the mover operates its own commercial motor vehicles within the state, it must obtain a Wisconsin USDOT number for intrastate operation.
Annual Filing: Yes. Renewal and insurance updates are required annually.

OverviewOverview & Scope

Any company transporting household goods for compensation within the state of Wisconsin must obtain a Certificate of Authority from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. This includes services such as loading, transporting, and unloading household items for intrastate moves.

The USDOT number attaches to the company operating the vehicles. Where a mover subcontracts transport, the carrier’s own registrations cover the transport it performs.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Movers must:

Apply for Certificate of Authority to operate as a household goods carrier in Wisconsin.
Maintain insurance coverage, including:
- Public liability insurance
- Property damage coverage
- Cargo insurance
File a tariff that lists all charges, rates, and services offered.
Register with a Wisconsin USDOT number if operating commercial motor vehicles only within the state.
Comply with annual filing requirements, including updates to insurance and contact information.

ConsumerConsumer Protections

Movers must provide written estimates and contracts.
Charges must comply with the filed tariff.
Insurance coverage must be in place to protect consumer goods in transit.
Consumers can contact WisDOT for verification or to file a complaint regarding service quality, overcharges, or damage.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

WisDOT Certificate of Authority for Intrastate Household Goods Carriers, with annual renewal and filing updatesWhere applicable (mover transports household goods for compensation within Wisconsin)Verified by DocumentRequired
Public liability, property damage and cargo insuranceWhere applicable (mover holds a WisDOT Certificate of Authority)Verified by DocumentRequired
Tariff filed, listing all charges, rates and servicesWhere applicable (mover holds a WisDOT Certificate of Authority)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)

Wisconsin intrastate USDOT numberWhere applicable (mover operates its own commercial motor vehicles only within Wisconsin)Verified by DocumentRequired

Customer practices

Written estimates and contracts providedWhere applicable (mover holds a WisDOT Certificate of Authority)Verified by AffirmationRequired
Charges consistent with the filed tariffWhere applicable (mover holds a WisDOT Certificate of Authority)Verified by AffirmationRequired