Short answer: In Florida, a moving company that moves you within the state must be registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and every ad it runs must show its Florida mover registration number, which starts with “IM.” If your move crosses state lines, the mover must also be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a USDOT number. You can check both online before you book.
Why this check matters
Anyone can buy a truck and print a business card. A registration number means the company has filed with the state, carries the required coverage, and can be held to Florida’s moving law, Chapter 507. When a move goes wrong, a registered mover is one you can file a complaint against. An unregistered one can disappear.
Step 1: Find the Florida registration number
Look at the company’s website footer, quote, or ad. Florida law requires every mover advertisement to include the phrase “Fla. Mover Reg. No.” followed by the IM number. If you can’t find it anywhere, that is your first warning sign.
Step 2: Look it up with FDACS
Go to FDACS.gov and use the business license lookup. Search by company name or IM number. Check three things:
- The registration is active, not expired
- The business name matches the company you’re talking to
- There are no open complaints you’re uncomfortable with
Florida law also says a registered mover can’t do business under more than one name unless that name is registered. If the truck, the quote, and the website all show different names, ask why.
Step 3: For out-of-state moves, check FMCSA
If you’re leaving Florida, look up the company’s USDOT number on FMCSA’s Protect Your Move site. A legitimate interstate mover is registered there. FMCSA also requires your mover to give you a written estimate and a copy of the booklet “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.”
Step 4: Get it in writing
Before moving day, you should have a written quote that names the company, its registration number, and what is included. If a company will only quote over the phone and won’t put it on paper, keep looking.
Common red flags
- No IM number in any ad or on the website
- A large cash deposit before anyone has seen your home
- A quote far below every other quote you received
- A different company name on the truck than on the contract
For more warning signs, see our guide to red flags when hiring movers in Fort Lauderdale.
How Albert’s Relocation Services makes this easy
We put our numbers where you can see them. Albert’s Relocation Services is registered with the State of Florida (Fla. Mover Reg. No. IM2653) and with the federal government for interstate moves (USDOT 3615333, MC 01232950). You’ll find them on every page of our website and on every quote we send.
We’re a veteran-owned, family-owned moving company based in Cooper City. Our owner is a US Army veteran who grew up in the moving business, and every move gets a written quote before we lift a box. We handle local moves, long distance moves, and residential moves across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, including Pembroke Pines (https://albertsrelocation.com/mover-services/pembroke-pines- fl/) and Deerfield Beach. Look us up first. Then call (954) 226-7912 or request your free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Florida movers need to register?
Movers and moving brokers that handle moves starting and ending in Florida must register with FDACS under Chapter 507.
Is a USDOT number enough for a move inside Florida?
No. A USDOT number covers interstate work. For a move within Florida, look for the Florida IM registration.
Where do I report a problem with a mover?
For moves within Florida, file a complaint with FDACS. For interstate moves, use FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database.
Fla. Mover Reg. No. IM2653 · USDOT 3615333