Moving to Texas From Out of State: Interstate Estimates and FMCSA Checks

By James Brazil

James Brazil lives in Mérida, Mexico. He founded Swift Agent Sites and studied Classics at the University of Mississippi.

Published 5 November 2026 · Updated 5 November 2026

Interstate movers must be registered with FMCSA, give you a written estimate based on an inspection, and provide Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. Verify the USDOT number and complaint history before you pay a deposit.

Plenty of people are making this move from California, New York, and other states. The paperwork is where these moves go right or wrong, and federal rules apply once the truck crosses a state line into Texas.

Who regulates a move into Texas?

A household goods move that crosses state lines is interstate. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the rules. The mover must have a valid USDOT number and authority to transport household goods in interstate commerce.

Moves that stay entirely inside Texas are different. Those fall under TxDMV household goods licensing. Our guide on how to vet a Texas moving company covers Truck Stop checks for in-state carriers. TxDMV's own tip sheet sends people leaving or entering Texas to Protect Your Move for the interstate process.

What documents should an interstate mover give me?

Under FMCSA rules, before the move you should receive:

• A written estimate, signed and dated by you and the mover
• The booklet Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move
• FMCSA's Ready to Move brochure (copy or link)
• Information about the mover's arbitration program
• Written notice about how to see the mover's tariff (published rates)
• An explanation of how claims are handled

Do not sign blank or incomplete documents. If a mover cannot produce the rights booklet or a written estimate based on a real look at your belongings, that is a reason to stop.

How do I verify the company?

FMCSA's steps to select a mover boil down to five practical checks:

• Get written estimates from several movers, each based on an in-person or virtual inspection of your goods.
• Confirm the mover is authorized and insured, with a U.S. DOT number for interstate work.
• Check complaint history in the FMCSA registered mover search.
• Do not pick solely on lowest price. FMCSA notes that for a non-binding estimate, movers generally must deliver for no more than 10% above that estimate (the 110 percent rule).
• Read Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move before you sign.

You can also run a quick screen with our free mover check before you dig into the federal search results.

The mover search tool shows headquarters location, contact info, registration status, business type (carrier, broker, freight forwarder), complaint information, and safety information. Read the complaint history, not just the marketing site.

Binding vs non-binding estimates

A phone quote is not an estimate. FMCSA expects a written estimate that covers transportation, extra services, and advance charges, signed and dated by both sides.

• Binding estimate. You generally cannot be required to pay more than the estimate at delivery for the listed items and services. If you add items or services, you and the mover agree in writing before loading.
• Non-binding estimate. The final bill depends on actual weight and services under the mover's tariff. It should still be reasonably accurate, and the 110 percent rule limits how much you can be required to pay at delivery above a non-binding estimate.

If you can get a binding estimate, get one. Some movers charge a fee to prepare it. Show the estimator everything, including the garage and shed. Surprises at loading are what blow up numbers.

Full Value Protection or Released Value?

Interstate movers must offer both valuation options:

• Full Value Protection is the default. The mover is responsible for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods. It costs more.
• Released Value is free, but pays no more than 60 cents per pound per item. TxDMV and FMCSA both flag this number because people are often shocked by it after a loss.

You only get Released Value if you sign a specific statement choosing it. Read the bill of lading before you sign at the door. Neither option is a substitute for asking your own insurance agent whether homeowners or renters coverage applies in transit.

What else should I expect on move day?

TxDMV's interstate tips (pointing to FMCSA) also stress:

• An inventory list detailing each item and its condition
• A bill of lading, which is your contract and a receipt for your belongings
• Supervising loading and unloading yourself when you can

Keep copies of the estimate, inventory, bill of lading, and photos until your claim window closes. For damage claims, FMCSA rules generally give you nine months from delivery to file in writing with the mover. Note visible damage on delivery paperwork and do not sign away liability lightly.

FAQ

Does a mover need a USDOT number to move me to Texas? Yes. Any mover taking your household goods across state lines must be registered with FMCSA and have a valid USDOT number plus proper operating authority.

Is a phone quote enough? No. FMCSA requires a written estimate based on an inspection of your goods, signed and dated by you and the mover. Do not accept verbal estimates alone.

What is the 110 percent rule? For a non-binding estimate, FMCSA says movers are generally required to deliver your goods for no more than 10% above that estimate. Binding estimates work differently and lock the listed price more tightly.

How much will my mover pay if something is lost? It depends on the valuation you chose. Full Value Protection covers replacement value. Released Value pays no more than 60 cents per pound per item.

Where do I complain about an interstate mover? Use FMCSA's Protect Your Move complaint resources. FMCSA notes it does not resolve private claims against movers, but a complaint still documents the problem. For in-state Texas-only moves, use TxDMV instead.

Next step

A licensed interstate mover that will survey your home, put the price in writing, and hand you the federal rights booklet is the baseline, not a luxury. Talk with a licensed mover, compare two or three written estimates, and verify the USDOT number before any deposit. Once you arrive, Texas newcomers often ask about homestead tax breaks and flood or windstorm coverage next, so plan those conversations early too.

Sources: FMCSA Protect Your Move, FMCSA steps to select a mover, FMCSA search for a registered mover, TxDMV Moving Tips PDF.