How to check a California mover's license

Two different systems, depending on your move

Household moves that stay inside California and moves that cross a state line are regulated differently. A company can be legitimate for one and not authorized for the other, so start by identifying which kind of move you're making.

Intrastate household moving in California is overseen at the state level, and permitted household movers are commonly identified by a CAL-T permit number. Interstate household movers operate under federal authority and are identified by a USDOT number.

What to ask for

Ask for the permit or USDOT number in writing — on the estimate, not verbally. A permitted operator will give it without hesitation.

• The exact legal business name on the permit, which may differ from the brand name on the truck
• The CAL-T number for an in-state household move
• The USDOT number for any move crossing a state line
• Proof of liability and workers' compensation coverage

Verify it with the regulator, not the mover

Look the number up yourself with the official California regulator for household movers, and for interstate carriers with the federal registry. Confirm the status is active and that the legal name matches the company writing your estimate.

Listings, directories and review sites — including this one — are not a substitute for the regulator's own record. License information should always be confirmed with the California regulator before booking.

Warning signs worth walking away from

None of these are proof of wrongdoing on their own, but together they're a pattern.

• No written estimate, or a quote given without asking about stairs, access or inventory
• A large cash deposit demanded before move day
• A permit number the company won't put in writing
• A legal name that doesn't match any registered record
• A price dramatically below every other quote you received