When you move from Pennsylvania to another state, your mover answers to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, not the Pennsylvania PUC. You get a written binding or non-binding estimate, and Full Value Protection unless you waive it. On a non-binding estimate, you can't be made to pay more than 110% at delivery. Damage claims get 9 months.

Who regulates the move?

The PUC covers moves between points inside Pennsylvania. Once your goods cross a state line, FMCSA's household goods rules in 49 CFR Part 375 apply.

There's one odd exception. FMCSA says moves that cross state lines inside a single commercial zone, roughly a metro area, aren't covered by its household goods rules. A short move inside one metro area that crosses a state line might fall into that gap. Ask the mover which rules apply to your move, in writing.

Before you book, confirm the company is registered with FMCSA. Its Protect Your Move site at protectyourmove.gov lets you look up movers and brokers by USDOT number. FMCSA advises steering clear of movers or brokers that aren't registered or won't do a physical survey of your belongings.

What paperwork should you get before the move?

FMCSA lists what a mover or broker must give you:

• a written estimate;
• the "Ready to Move" brochure, or a link to it;
• information about the mover's arbitration program;
• written notice about access to the mover's tariff;
• the claims process;
• the booklet "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move," or a link to it.

The estimate has to be based on a physical survey, in person or by video, unless you waive that in writing. A verbal quote doesn't count.

Binding or non-binding: which is better?

It depends on how sure you are about what you're moving.

Binding estimate. You can't be required to pay more than the estimate at delivery for the items and services listed. If you add things, you and the mover can stick with the estimate, write a new binding one, or switch to non-binding. If nothing new is agreed in writing before loading, the original stands. The mover may charge a fee to prepare one.

Non-binding estimate. Your final bill is based on actual weight, services and the mover's tariff. At delivery, the mover can't require more than 110% of the estimate. It bills you for any remainder after 30 days.

Either way, charges for "impracticable operations," like needing a smaller shuttle truck, are capped at delivery at 15% of the other charges due. The estimate can't be changed after loading.

My view: if you've done a careful walk-through and you're not adding much, a binding estimate gives you a lot more certainty.

FMCSA has a word for a mover who won't release your goods after you pay 100% of a binding or 110% of a non-binding estimate: holding your shipment hostage. That violates federal law. Call FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.

How much protection do you get if something breaks?

Two options, and the default is the better one.

• Full Value Protection. This is what you get unless you waive it in writing. The mover repairs or replaces damaged items, or pays to. It costs more, and the minimum valuation is $6.00 per pound times your shipment's weight.
• Released Value. Free, but it caps the mover's liability at 60 cents per pound per article. FMCSA's example: a 10-pound stereo component worth $1,000 would get you $6.

Under Full Value Protection, list anything worth more than $100 per pound, like jewelry, silver or antiques, on the shipping documents. If you don't, the mover can limit what it pays for those items.

What do you do at delivery?

Check every item against the inventory before you sign. Note new damage on the inventory and make sure it's on the mover's copy too. FMCSA says movers can't have you sign documents that release them from all liability in exchange for delivery. Don't sign blank or incomplete papers, other than blanks for the weight on a non-binding estimate or unforeseen charges.

How long do you have to file a claim?

9 months from delivery. Put it in writing to the mover or its third-party insurer. The mover has 30 days to acknowledge it and 120 days to give you a decision, with possible written 60-day extensions.

If you can't settle, you can ask for arbitration. For claims of $10,000 or less, the mover has to agree to it, and the decision binds both sides. You can also go to court instead.

For the in-state version of these rules, see Pennsylvania's mover inventory and damage rules.

FAQ

Who regulates movers on an interstate move from Pennsylvania?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, under 49 CFR Part 375.

How much can a mover charge at delivery on a non-binding estimate?

No more than 110% of the estimate. The rest is billed after 30 days.

What's the default liability coverage for an interstate move?

Full Value Protection, unless you waive it in writing for Released Value of 60 cents per pound per article.

How long do I have to file a moving damage claim?

9 months from delivery. The mover must acknowledge it within 30 days and decide within 120 days.

What if the mover won't deliver my things?

If you've paid 100% of a binding or 110% of a non-binding estimate, call FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.

Next step

If you're selling in Pennsylvania and buying in another state, ask your licensed local agent to help line up closing dates with the mover's pickup and delivery window, so your goods aren't sitting in storage at your expense.

Sources: 49 CFR Part 375, Appendix A, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move; FMCSA, What is a binding move estimate?.

On a move within Pennsylvania, the mover's automatic protection only covers loss or damage up to 60 cents per pound, per article. A 10-pound TV worth $800 would get you $6. You can buy more coverage, and PUC rules require a detailed inventory and a fair delivery receipt. Those papers decide what you can recover.

What does 60 cents per pound actually cover?

Not much. The PUC's Information for Shippers form says you're protected "only up to but not exceeding 60 cents per pound, per article," and warns that this minimum may not be adequate.

You have two ways to get more:

• Higher coverage from the mover, by paying a higher tariff rate for the level you want.
• A transit insurance policy from an insurance agent, which can cover the full value of your goods.

The mover's estimate has to include a certification that you accept or reject the minimum coverage limits, plus the rates for extra coverage. So you'll be asked. Don't just initial it.

Before you buy, check your homeowners or renters policy. Some cover belongings in transit, some don't, and limits vary. Ask your insurance agent in writing.

How does the inventory work?

Under 52 Pa. Code 31.133, the mover must:

• prepare a written, itemized inventory listing every carton and every uncartoned item;
• put an identification number on each item that matches the inventory;
• note each item's condition;
• do all of this before loading;
• let you watch and check it for accuracy;
• give you a copy signed by both of you before loading.

For moves of 40 miles or less, you can waive the inventory in writing. My advice: don't. Without it, proving an item was fine when it left your house gets a lot harder.

While the crew writes the inventory, walk with them. If they mark your dresser "scratched" and it isn't, say so and write it down. Phone photos of your nicer pieces before they're wrapped help a lot.

What should you do at delivery?

This is where people lose claims. The PUC's form is blunt about the delivery receipt:

• Don't sign any delivery papers until the delivery is finished.
• Before signing, make sure all damage and missing items are written on the receipt or the inventory.
• If the driver won't write it down, write it yourself.
• Telling the driver isn't enough.

The mover has to let you check that the same items are being delivered and what condition they're in, and let you note missing or damaged items in writing. It must give you a copy of those notes.

Watch for release language too. The PUC says not to sign a delivery receipt that claims to release the mover from liability. Strike that language out before signing, or refuse delivery if the mover won't give you a proper receipt. The bill of lading rule in 52 Pa. Code 31.132 backs this up: it can't contain language releasing the mover from liability, though it can say goods were received in apparent good condition except as noted.

What happens after the move?

The mover owes you a bill of lading within 15 days after delivery. It must list the charges, and attach copies of the estimate and the inventory.

Keep your copy of the inventory until every dispute is settled. The PUC says the same thing. Then:

• Put your damage claim to the mover in writing with photos, the inventory numbers and repair estimates.
• Keep copies of everything you send.
• If the mover won't respond fairly, contact the PUC at 1-800-692-7380 with the company name and its A-number.

The cost side of the move has its own rules. See Pennsylvania moving estimates and the 10% rule.

How do you set yourself up for a clean claim?

A little prep before moving day makes any claim far easier:

• Photograph furniture, electronics and anything fragile before it's wrapped, with the date showing.
• Write down serial numbers for TVs and computers.
• Move jewelry, cash, important documents and medications yourself.
• Label boxes by room, and mark the fragile ones clearly.
• Pack fragile items well if you're packing them yourself. A mover may push back on damage inside boxes it didn't pack.

Keep the photos together with your copy of the inventory. If something's damaged, you'll have the before and after side by side.

FAQ

How much does a Pennsylvania mover pay for damaged items?

Automatic protection is up to 60 cents per pound, per article. You can buy more from the mover or get a transit insurance policy.

Can I skip the inventory on a short move?

For moves of 40 miles or less, you can waive it in writing. Keeping it makes damage claims much easier to prove.

Should I sign the delivery receipt if something's broken?

Only after the damage is written on the receipt or inventory. If the driver won't note it, write it yourself.

What if the delivery receipt releases the mover from liability?

Strike out that language before signing, or refuse delivery if the mover won't give you a proper receipt.

When do I get the bill of lading?

Within 15 days after delivery, with the estimate and inventory attached.

Next step

Call your licensed local insurance agent before moving day and ask whether your homeowners or renters policy covers belongings in transit, and what a transit policy would cost for your most valuable items.

Sources: 52 Pa. Code Chapter 31, sections 31.121, 31.132 and 31.133; Pennsylvania PUC, consumer tips on household movers (2019).

For a move within Pennsylvania, a certificated mover must give you a written estimate and the "Information for Shippers" form at least 48 hours ahead, unless you agree in writing to less time. If the bill runs high, you get your things by paying the estimate plus 10% or $25, whichever is more. The rest can wait 15 days.

What does the written estimate have to include?

Under 52 Pa. Code 31.122, the estimate has to be on a form with "Estimated Cost of Services" printed across the top in letters at least half an inch tall. It must show:

• the names and addresses of the mover and you;
• where the move starts and ends;
• the date of the estimate and the date of the move;
• whether you accept or reject the basic coverage limits for loss or damage;
• the rates for handling, packing, containers, vehicles, labor, weight and distance, and any extra coverage;
• a notice that you'll pay any increase if the mover's tariff changes before the move;
• signatures from the mover's representative and you, with the date and time.

A phone quote isn't this. Get the form.

How is the price figured?

Distance decides the method. The Information for Shippers form spells it out:

• 40 miles or less: an hourly rate.
• Over 40 miles: weight and mileage.

For moves over 40 miles, the mover has to weigh the shipment on a public weighmaster's scale and attach the weight tickets to your bill. If there's no public scale within 10 miles of the origin, it can use a constructive weight of 7 pounds per cubic foot of properly loaded van space, and has to say so on the bill of lading. You can ask for copies of the weight tickets.

Don't trust the weight? Ask for a reweigh before delivery. The mover has to do it, and the lower of the two weights is used. You'll pay the reweigh charge listed in its tariff.

The estimate is an estimate. The PUC's form says actual charges may be more or less. The best way to keep it close is to tell the estimator about everything you're moving, including the stuff in the attic and the shed.

What happens if the bill comes in higher?

This is the rule worth remembering. From the Information for Shippers form and 52 Pa. Code 31.123:

• If actual charges are no more than 10% over the estimate, you pay the full amount before the mover unloads.
• If they're more than 10% over, the mover must deliver your full shipment once you pay the estimate plus 10% or $25, whichever is greater.
• The mover has to wait 15 days after delivery to demand the rest.

So on a $2,000 estimate, if the bill comes to $2,600, you'd pay $2,200 to get your things. The remaining $400 can wait 15 days. Movers also have to report every case of charges running more than 10% over to the PUC each quarter, with an explanation.

If you can prove to the PUC that the mover committed fraud or deliberately concealed something in the estimate, you can limit your payment to the estimated amount.

How will you have to pay?

Ask before moving day. Unless the mover tells you ahead of time that it'll extend credit, the form says it'll expect payment at delivery in cash, a cashier's check or a certified check. Some movers take cards, but don't assume it.

If you asked to be told the actual weight and charges and gave your phone number or address, the mover must let you know as soon as it figures them out.

What paperwork comes after?

The mover has to give you a bill of lading within 15 days after delivery. Under 52 Pa. Code 31.132, it lists the charges and rates in detail and the total, and attaches copies of the estimate and the inventory. Compare it line by line with the estimate.

Before you book, make sure the company actually holds a PUC certificate. See check the PUC certificate first.

How do you keep the estimate close to the real bill?

Most surprises come from things the estimator didn't see. A few habits help:

• Walk the estimator through every room, closet, basement, attic, garage and shed.
• Point out what isn't going, so it doesn't get counted.
• Say whether you're packing or the mover is. Packing labor and materials add up.
• Mention stairs, elevators, long walks to the truck and tight parking at both ends. On an hourly move, every extra minute counts.

FAQ

How far ahead must a Pennsylvania mover give an estimate?

At least 48 hours before the move, unless you agree in writing to a shorter period.

Are local moves in Pennsylvania charged by the hour?

Yes, moves of 40 miles or less are charged at an hourly rate. Longer ones are by weight and mileage.

What if my moving bill is more than 10% over the estimate?

Pay the estimate plus 10% or $25, whichever is more, to get your goods. The mover must wait 15 days for the balance.

Can I ask for my shipment to be reweighed?

Yes, before delivery. The lower weight is used, and you pay the mover's listed reweigh charge.

When do I get the final bill?

The bill of lading is due within 15 days after delivery.

Next step

Get written estimates from at least two PUC-certificated movers and compare the rates, not only the totals. If you're closing on a home, ask your licensed local agent to help line up the move date with settlement.

Sources: 52 Pa. Code Chapter 31, sections 31.121 to 31.132; PUC moving company brochure.

After moving to Pennsylvania, you have 20 days from establishing residency to apply for a Pennsylvania title and registration, and 60 days to get a Pennsylvania driver's license. The catch is that you need Pennsylvania ID to title and register, so get the license first. Then the car needs a safety inspection within 10 days of registering.

Why does the order matter?

Because the deadlines don't line up with the paperwork. PennDOT says authorized agents can only issue title and registration to people who show a Pennsylvania credential, like:

• a Pennsylvania photo driver's license;
• a Pennsylvania photo ID card;
• a Pennsylvania exempt license or exempt ID card;
• a valid U.S. Armed Forces Common Access Card.

You have 60 days for the license, but only 20 for the title. PennDOT itself points out there's nothing stopping you from getting the license sooner. So book a driver license center visit in your first week or two.

What do you need to title and register the car?

Form MV-1, the Application for Certificate of Title, isn't online. An authorized agent has to complete it. PennDOT says most notaries, dealers and messenger services are authorized agents, and some can process your title or registration on the spot and give you a temporary plate.

Bring:

• your out-of-state title, in your name. Pennsylvania requires you to surrender it;
• proof of Pennsylvania insurance for every vehicle, like an ID card, declarations page or binder, showing effective and expiration dates;
• a VIN tracing or verification. Rub a pencil over tracing paper on the VIN plate, or have a certified inspection mechanic or a notary at a dealership verify it;
• payment for title, lien and registration fees and any sales tax, by check or money order to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
• Form MV-1L from the leasing company, if the car is leased. A power of attorney may be needed too.

If you still owe money on the car, plan ahead. PennDOT says it only issues a Pennsylvania title when the out-of-state title is turned in, and your current lender may require you to refinance with another lender and pay them off. Call your lender early. This is the step that blows up the 20-day clock.

You'll need Pennsylvania insurance before you register, so set up a Pennsylvania auto policy as soon as you have an address. For what it has to include, see Pennsylvania car insurance minimums.

Do you owe sales tax on the car?

Probably not, if you've had it a while.

• If you have a valid out-of-state title and owned the car for six months before moving, you don't pay Pennsylvania sales tax. The agent lists the exemption code on Form MV-1.
• If you owned it less than six months, you need to prove you paid sales tax. If you can't, you pay Pennsylvania's. You may qualify for a credit.

Your county may also charge a $5 yearly local use fee per vehicle, collected by PennDOT when you register and at each renewal.

What about inspection and emissions?

A newly registered vehicle has to pass a Pennsylvania safety inspection within ten days. Inspections happen at official stations, often repair garages, and check things like lights and brakes. The posted fees don't include repairs.

Emissions testing depends on the county. Check Drive Clean PA or call 1-800-265-0921 to see if yours requires it.

If your car has tinted windows, compare them against PennDOT's window tint rules. They differ from state to state.

Newer cars can have one more hurdle. Under the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program, a 2008 or newer vehicle with a GVWR of 8,500 pounds or less and fewer than 7,500 miles on the odometer must be certified by the California Air Resources Board.

What else is on the new-resident list?

A few non-PennDOT items with their own clocks:

• Health insurance. Moving to Pennsylvania can qualify you for a special enrollment period with Pennie. You generally have 60 days. See Pennie open enrollment.
• Homestead exclusion. If you bought a home, file with your county by March 1. See the homestead exclusion.
• Boats, snowmobiles and ATVs. PennDOT doesn't register these. Boats go through the Fish and Boat Commission, and snowmobiles and ATVs through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

What does a realistic first month look like?

Something like this works for most people:

• Week 1: set up a Pennsylvania auto insurance policy and book a driver license center visit.
• Week 2: get your Pennsylvania license, then gather your title, insurance card and VIN tracing.
• Week 2 or 3: visit an authorized agent to title and register, inside the 20 days.
• Within 10 days of registering: get the safety inspection, plus emissions if your county requires it.

If your car has a loan, call the lender in week 1. That's the step most likely to slow you down.

FAQ

How long do I have to get a Pennsylvania driver's license after moving?

60 days after establishing residency.

How long do I have to register my car in Pennsylvania?

You must apply for title and registration within 20 days of establishing residency.

Do I need a Pennsylvania license before registering my car?

You need a Pennsylvania credential, such as a driver's license or photo ID card, to title and register.

Do I pay sales tax when I bring my car to Pennsylvania?

Not if you have a valid out-of-state title and owned the car for six months before moving.

When does my car need a Pennsylvania inspection?

Within ten days of being registered in Pennsylvania.

Next step

Before you move, call a licensed local insurance agent to set up a Pennsylvania auto policy that starts on your move date. You'll need that proof of insurance at the title and registration appointment.

Sources: PennDOT, Motor Vehicle Information for New Residents; Pennie, Frequently Asked Questions.

To hold street space for a moving truck in Philadelphia, apply to the Streets Department for a Temporary No Parking permit at least four business days ahead. It's $50 per 40 feet of curb per day in Center City and University City, and $25 elsewhere. You get the signs from your police district and post them 24 hours ahead.

What does the permit cover?

The Streets Department issues Temporary No Parking permits, or TNPs, for:

• moving trucks;
• storage containers or pods;
• temporary dumpsters;
• restaurant use and loading.

Closing the street for a crane or a banner needs a different permit.

How much does it cost?

The city prices it by use and location. Forty feet is roughly two parking spaces.

• Moving truck, Center City or University City: $50 per 40 feet of space, per day.
• Moving truck, everywhere else: $25 per 40 feet of space, per day.
• Moving container or pod: $50, for up to five days.
• Temporary dumpster: $40, for up to seven days without a separate permit from Licenses and Inspections.

A big truck plus room to drop the ramp can need more than 40 feet. Measure, or ask the mover how much curb they need, before you apply.

How do you apply?

The steps, from the city's own instructions:

1. Apply online at least four business days before you need the space. Have your name and contact details, the address, the truck length or number of containers, and the start and end times.
2. Wait for a reviewer. A Right-of-Way Unit reviewer processes the application and contacts you with an invoice or a request for more information. If you haven't heard anything three days before you need the permit, call the Right-of-Way Unit at 215-686-5500.
3. Pay the invoice online through the payment center using the reference numbers on the invoice, or by another method the invoice lists.
4. Print the permit once the reviewer verifies payment and issues it.
5. Take it to a police district headquarters. Use the city's police district map to find one near you. The district gives you the Temporary No Parking signs.
6. Post the signs as soon as you get the permit, or at least 24 hours before you need the spaces.

Two rules that trip people up: apply for only one address per permit, and only one permit per address. Multiple addresses on one application means only the first is processed. Duplicate permits for the same date and address slow everything down.

The city may also move your permit location if local parking rules get in the way, like a loading zone or a block with no legal parking.

What if someone parks in your spot anyway?

The city says to contact your local police district and ask that the vehicle be ticketed. It can then be towed. Keep the printed permit with you on moving day so you can show it.

Some practical advice: post the signs early in the 24-hour window, take a dated photo of each one in place, and check them the night before. Signs do disappear.

Can you get a refund?

Usually not. The fee covers processing and issuing the permit, and the city says it's non-refundable. The one exception: if you paid but didn't get your permit in time, you can file a refund petition. You'll need substantial evidence that the permit didn't arrive in time.

Who handles it, you or the mover?

Either can, but someone has to own it. Ask your mover directly whether they pull the TNP or expect you to. If you're moving out of one Philadelphia address and into another, you may need a permit at both ends.

Moving within Pennsylvania also means hiring a PUC-certificated mover. See check the PUC certificate first.

What should you have ready on moving day?

A short checklist for the morning of the move:

• the printed permit, kept with you or in the truck cab;
• photos of the posted signs, with the date and time;
• the police district's phone number, in case someone's parked in the zone;
• the Right-of-Way Unit number, 215-686-5500, for permit questions.

If you're moving between two Philadelphia addresses, you may need two permits, one for each address, since each permit covers only one. Apply for both at the same time so the dates line up.

Moving out of a high-rise or a building with a loading dock? Ask the building manager about elevator reservations and dock hours, too. A permit holds the curb, but it won't get you in the freight elevator.

FAQ

How far ahead do I need to apply for a moving permit in Philadelphia?

At least four business days before you need the space.

How much is a Temporary No Parking permit for a moving truck?

$50 per 40 feet per day in Center City or University City, and $25 per 40 feet per day elsewhere in the city.

Where do I get the no parking signs?

Take your printed permit to a Philadelphia police district headquarters, and they'll give you the signs.

How early do I post the signs?

As soon as you get the permit, or at least 24 hours before you need the spaces.

Is the permit refundable?

No, except through a refund petition if you paid and didn't get the permit in time.

Next step

Once you have a closing or lease date, ask your licensed local agent whether the building or block has loading rules you should know about, then apply for the TNP at least four business days out.

Sources: City of Philadelphia, Apply for a Temporary No Parking (TNP) permit.

If you're moving within Pennsylvania, hire a mover with a certificate of public convenience from the Public Utility Commission. Certificated movers must keep insurance on file and charge their filed rates. Their PUC number starts with "A," runs six to eight digits, and must appear in their ads. No number is a red flag.

Which moves does the PUC cover?

The PUC regulates household goods movers that carry goods between points within the state. Harrisburg to Erie, or Allentown to Lancaster, is a PUC move.

If you're crossing state lines, the federal rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration apply instead. For that, see moving out of Pennsylvania.

How do you spot a certificated mover?

Start with the ad. The PUC says certificated movers must put their certificate number in every form of advertising, including online listings and sites like Craigslist. The number begins with "A" and is six to eight digits long. If an ad doesn't show one, the PUC warns, you may be dealing with an uncertificated and uninsured carrier.

Then look at the truck. Under 52 Pa. Code 31.33, every vehicle a mover operates has to show, on each side in letters at least 2 inches tall, the company's name and address and "PA. P.U.C. NO. A" followed by its number. If the truck is leased, it should say who's operating it.

Last, check the PUC's own list. The Commission keeps a list of licensed household movers on its website at puc.pa.gov. Search by the company's name, and make sure the A-number in the ad matches.

Takes five minutes. Worth it.

What does a PUC certificate actually get you?

A set of rules the mover has to follow, and a regulator you can complain to. A few that matter on moving day:

• Filed rates. The mover must charge according to its tariff on file with the PUC. It can't make up a price on the spot.
• Insurance on file. Certificated movers must keep the required insurance with the PUC.
• A written estimate and the "Information for Shippers" form, at least 48 hours before the move unless you agree in writing to a shorter time. More on that in Pennsylvania moving estimates.
• Background checks. Under 52 Pa. Code 31.134, a mover can't let anyone provide moving services inside your home until it has a criminal history record from the Pennsylvania State Police, and from every other state the person lived in during the past 12 months. It has to recheck employees every 2 years. People convicted of crimes that bear on whether they can safely and legally do the work can't be sent into your home.
• An inventory and a bill of lading. The mover must list your items and their condition, and give you an itemized bill. See inventory, damage and the delivery receipt.

An unlicensed outfit owes you none of that, and if something breaks or disappears, you may have nobody to go after.

What questions should you ask before you book?

Ask these on the phone or at the walk-through:

• What's your PUC A-number?
• Will you do an in-home or video look before the estimate?
• Is your price hourly or by weight and mileage, and what's included?
• What does your basic protection cover, and what would extra coverage cost?
• Who will actually be in my home on moving day, and are they your employees?

Get more than one estimate. The PUC points out that charges vary between companies, since each one files its own rates.

Where do you complain?

Try the mover first, in writing. If that goes nowhere, contact the PUC. Include the company's name and its A-number, which the PUC asks for with every complaint. The PUC's consumer line is 1-800-692-7380.

Keep everything: the estimate, the Information for Shippers form, the inventory, the bill of lading and your photos.

What are the warning signs?

Some red flags show up before you ever sign anything:

• no PUC A-number in the ad, or a number that doesn't match the PUC's list;
• a price quoted over the phone with no written estimate;
• no "Information for Shippers" form before you're asked to sign;
• a truck with no company name or PUC number on the side;
• a request to sign papers that are blank or incomplete.

If two or more of these show up, walk away. A cheap quote from an uncertificated mover can get very expensive when there's no insurance and no regulator behind it.

FAQ

Do movers need a license in Pennsylvania?

Yes, for moves between points within the state. They need a certificate of public convenience from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

What does a PUC number look like?

It starts with "A" and is six to eight digits long. It must appear in the mover's ads and on its trucks.

Does the PUC regulate interstate moves?

No. Moves that cross state lines fall under the FMCSA.

Do Pennsylvania movers have to run background checks?

Yes. Movers must get criminal history records before anyone provides moving services in your home, and recheck every 2 years.

How do I file a complaint against a mover?

Contact the PUC at 1-800-692-7380 and include the company name and its A-number.

Next step

If you're buying or selling and need a mover, ask your licensed local agent who past clients have used, then check each name and A-number against the PUC's list before you book.

Sources: Pennsylvania PUC, consumer tips on household movers (2019); PUC moving company brochure; 52 Pa. Code Chapter 31, household goods transportation.