This article was originally posted hereand copied with permission.

Household furniture moving is a big business; the bigger the company, the more they know about the legalities involved. Unfortunately, one of those legalities that are most likely overlooked by smaller family-owned companies without much knowledge in this area has to do with licensing.

Until recently, it wasn't necessary to have a licence in order to move household goods within your state or another state (although some states require interstate licences). However, now a household good moving licence is required by law. Violators can be fined up to $250,000 and even spend time in prison for knowingly transporting someone else's property for money or other considerations.

If you're thinking about starting a business that involves transporting goods, such as goods moving service, delivery service, trucking company, or airport shuttle service, then you'll need to get your goods moving licence.

This article will cover the things that you need to know about the need for a household moving permit.

Need of licence for moving companies

For owning a moving business, it's mandatory to have a licence, and the licence requirements depend upon the law of the state where you operate the business and where you are going to move the commodities.

Interstate movers are required by federal law to register their trucks with the US Department of Transportation. Additionally, many states require that drivers have a commercial driver's licence and that moving businesses have a state licence.

In addition, because it displays their dedication to offering a high-quality service, many moving businesses actively pursue voluntary moving certification.

Types of Licence

If you are wondering what types of licence you require to start a moving company, then here are the helpful things.

Federal licence

You must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) if you plan to transport products over state boundaries (FMCSA). USDOT number will be provided to identify the commercial vehicles used for record-keeping and regulatory purposes. Additionally, an interstate transportation company needs a federal operating authority number or several numbers. This is because they grant you permission to run your moving company and carry specific cargo. You must submit documentation of your insurance and bonding, as well as the names and contact details for your process servers, as part of the application process for these numbers.

Local and state licence

The licence requirement can vary depending on the rules and regulations of the state. Therefore, to apply for the local or state licence you need to check their official website and follow the procedure accordingly.

International moving licence requirements

Moving internationally does not usually mean relocating to another nation. It also covers any move that requires going over international boundaries, such as going through Canada to get to Alaska. A freight forwarder licence or a Federal Maritime Commission identification number is required for international movers. Potential clients will also see that you operate a professional moving service if you have an AMSA certification or membership in a moving federation like the FIDI Global Alliance.

Wrapping Up

Household goods moving permit is required to start a moving business because of several reasons. It ensures the safety of the vehicle and also allows the state to identify the vehicle.