In-state movers in Virginia are licensed by DMV Motor Carrier Services, not by the SCC. Moves of more than 30 miles generally need a Household Goods Carrier certificate and a filed tariff. Moves of 30 miles or less usually need Property Carrier authority, unless the company already holds household-goods authority.

How do you check the company before you book?

Look the carrier up in DMV's motor carrier search, or through dmvNOW.com transportation services, and confirm the legal name on the estimate matches the name on the authority. A truck with a painted logo is not a license. Ask for the Motor Carrier number, the type of authority, and whether the job you are booking is over or under the 30-mile line. A Richmond-to-Norfolk move, or a Northern Virginia-to-Charlottesville move, is almost always over 30 miles. A move across town may not be.

For deliveries over 30 miles, DMV says the carrier should have a household-goods tariff on file, should list charges on the estimate and the bill of lading, and should give you the "Making a Better Move in Virginia" booklet. The bill of lading should be on the truck and kept for three years. For moves of 30 miles or less, the company may charge hourly under Property Carrier authority. That difference in how you are billed is why the mileage line matters.

DMV's consumer flyer, form DMV272, tells households to get at least three written estimates, to ask whether an estimate is binding or not, to request a visual or in-home survey rather than a phone guess, and to ask about valuation, deposits, and payment. Keep those written estimates side by side. If a quote is far below the others and the company resists a walk-through, look up the authority again, or pick a different carrier.

You can start the search at DMV's motor carrier applications page and read the household-goods operating page and the intrastate motor carrier FAQs on dmv.virginia.gov. If a company says it is "fully insured" but will not show a certificate or a USDOT number for an interstate job, do not pay a large cash deposit.

Who do you call if something is already wrong?

Complaints about in-state movers can go to DMV at (804) 249-5130, or through the carrier complaint path on dmvNOW.com, and to the Office of the Attorney General's consumer hotline at (804) 786-2042 or (800) 552-9963, or ag.virginia.gov. Have the estimate, bill of lading, dates, and photos ready. A complaint is not a substitute for a written claim of loss or damage, which you should still file with the mover.

Interstate moves, meaning a pickup in Virginia and a delivery in another state, or the reverse, fall under federal household-goods rules and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, not only Virginia's 30-mile line. You still want a company with an active USDOT number and household-goods authority. Check that number on the federal site, and do not confuse a local Property Carrier with an interstate mover.

If friends offer a pickup truck and a weekend, that informal help is not a licensed carrier. For a small, local load you may accept that risk. For a full household, especially over 30 miles, hire a company you can look up, and get the tariff-based paperwork DMV expects. Write down the dates, the origin and destination addresses, and the quoted price on the same page as the authority number. If the crew that arrives is a different company, or a truck with a different name, stop and call DMV before you let the load leave. A subcontracted or brokered job should still be a carrier you can find in the official search, and you should have that name on the paperwork before moving day. If you are moving from an apartment, ask the property manager about elevator reservations, certificates of insurance, and prohibited hours, and put those constraints on the estimate so the carrier cannot claim surprise fees later. The same is true for a house with a long driveway, tight urban parking, or a HOA moving window. If access is limited, say so in writing when you request the survey.

FAQ

Who licenses in-state movers in Virginia?

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Motor Carrier Services, not the SCC Bureau of Insurance and not a city business license alone. Look the company up in DMV's motor carrier search.

What is the 30-mile rule?

Moves of more than 30 miles generally require a Household Goods Carrier certificate and a filed tariff. Moves of 30 miles or less usually require Property Carrier authority, unless the company already has household-goods authority and is only hauling household goods.

Where can I look a mover up?

Use DMV's motor carrier search at the transactions site, or dmvNOW.com transportation services. Confirm that the name on the estimate matches the licensed name.

What if I already have a problem with a mover?

Call DMV at (804) 249-5130 or use the carrier complaint process, and consider the Attorney General's consumer hotline at (800) 552-9963. File a written claim for loss or damage with the mover as well.

Next step

Look up any company you are considering in DMV's motor carrier search, then ask a licensed local agent, or a trusted local contact who has moved recently, to help you compare three written estimates and the type of authority each carrier holds.

Sources: Virginia DMV, household goods carriers; Virginia DMV, motor carrier search; Virginia DMV, Making a Better Move flyer, DMV272 (PDF); Virginia DMV, intrastate motor carrier FAQs.

If your move crosses a state line, into or out of Virginia, federal household-goods rules apply and you should hire a carrier with active FMCSA authority. Get a written estimate, read the federal rights booklet, and look up the USDOT number before you pay a deposit.

How is an interstate move different from a Richmond-to-Norfolk job?

Virginia's 30-mile DMV rules cover in-state jobs, not a shipment that leaves or enters the Commonwealth. An in-state move, even one that crosses many counties, is licensed by Virginia DMV Motor Carrier Services. A move from Arlington to Maryland, from North Carolina into Virginia Beach, or from Richmond to another state is interstate. The company should have a USDOT number and household-goods authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Look that number up on the federal site, and confirm that the name on the estimate matches the authorized name.

FMCSA consumer materials, including Protect Your Move, tell you to be wary of large cash deposits, carriers that will not do a visual survey, and companies that show up under a different name than the one you booked. Get a written estimate. Ask whether it is binding or non-binding. Read the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, which an authorized household-goods carrier should provide. Keep the bill of lading, the inventory, and any order for service.

Valuation and claim rules on an interstate shipment follow federal household-goods regulations, which can differ from an in-state Virginia job. Ask about the released-value and full-value options before the truck is loaded, and get your choice on the paperwork. On delivery, note damage or shortage on the inventory, take photos, and file a written claim by the method and deadline in the bill of lading and the federal booklet. Calendar that deadline the day you receive the papers.

If a website or social media ad offers a surprisingly low interstate price and will not give a USDOT number, stop. Brokers and carriers have different roles. If you are dealing with a broker, ask which authorized carrier will actually haul the goods, and look that carrier up too. Do not sign a blank document, and do not agree to let the load leave until you have the carrier's legal name in writing.

What if something already went wrong?

File the written claim with the carrier first, with a complete list, photos, and estimates. You can also use FMCSA's complaint process and the Protect Your Move resources. If part of the dispute is a Virginia pickup or delivery, you may still call DMV at (804) 249-5130 or the Attorney General's consumer hotline at (800) 552-9963, and ask how they handle a problem that also involves an interstate shipment. Have the USDOT number, dates, and paperwork ready.

A Virginia in-state Household Goods Carrier certificate is not, by itself, federal interstate authority. A company that is properly licensed for a 40-mile move inside Virginia may still be the wrong company for a move to Tennessee or Pennsylvania. Ask the question at the estimate stage: is this shipment interstate, and what authority covers it?

If you are also changing your driver's license and vehicle registration, those DMV resident deadlines are separate from the moving contract. New residents generally have 60 days for a license and 30 days to title and register. Do not let a late or disputed interstate delivery cause you to miss those clocks if you can avoid it. Photograph valuables before they are packed, and keep medicines, documents, and a few days of clothes with you rather than in the trailer.

Insurance on your household goods during an interstate move is still about the carrier's valuation, plus any coverage in a homeowners or renters policy. Ask both the carrier and your insurer, in writing, how a loss would be paid. One conversation does not replace the other. If the delivery is delayed and you will be without furniture, keep a copy of the estimated delivery window from the order for service, and write the company the day that window passes. A paper trail is more useful later than a series of unlogged calls.

FAQ

Does Virginia DMV license an interstate mover?

DMV licenses in-state movers. An interstate household-goods move is subject to federal authority. Look up the company's USDOT number with FMCSA, and do not assume a Virginia certificate is enough.

What should I get before I pay a deposit?

A written estimate, the legal name and USDOT number of the carrier that will haul the goods, and the federal rights booklet. Be cautious about large cash deposits and carriers that refuse a visual survey.

How do I file a claim after an interstate move?

Follow the bill of lading and the federal booklet: note damage at delivery, take photos, and file a written claim by the stated method and deadline. You can also use FMCSA's complaint tools.

Can I complain in Virginia as well?

You can ask DMV and the Attorney General's consumer office for guidance, especially if the pickup or delivery was in Virginia, but the shipment itself is still a federal household-goods job.

Next step

Look up the USDOT number of any interstate mover you are considering, get a written estimate, and read the federal rights booklet before you sign. A licensed local agent can help you plan around a closing date, but the carrier's authority is a federal check you should do yourself.

Sources: FMCSA, Protect Your Move; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Virginia DMV, household goods carriers.

New Virginia residents have 60 days to get a driver's license, or 30 days if they hold a CDL. Title the vehicle and get Virginia plates within 30 days, buy insurance before you register, and display a valid safety inspection sticker before you drive.

What should you do in the first month?

Some Northern Virginia localities also require an emissions inspection. Start with insurance and the safety inspection, because both affect whether you can legally drive and register. Virginia requires an annual safety inspection, done at approved stations, and a valid sticker on the vehicle before you operate it. Driving without a sticker can lead to a ticket, a fine, and a notation on your driving record. State Police information is available at (804) 674-2000, and most repair shops that do inspections can tell you whether they are an official station.

You must also meet Virginia's insurance requirements from the moment you register, even if the car is not being driven. Registering without insurance can bring a $600 non-compliance fee, suspension of your license and registration, a $145 reinstatement fee, and higher premiums later. Buy a policy that meets the current $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 liability minimums, plus required uninsured motorist coverage, before you go to DMV. Paying an uninsured motor vehicle fee is not a substitute policy.

Title the vehicle in Virginia within 30 days of moving, then register and get plates at a DMV customer service center, also within 30 days. Bring the out-of-state title or the documents DMV lists for your situation, proof of identity, and proof of insurance. Some vehicles are subject to a highway use fee. Multi-year registration discounts exist, but first-time registrations and vehicles in emissions localities have limits on those discounts, which DMV explains on its new-resident page.

Emissions inspections apply if the vehicle is kept in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, or Stafford counties, or in the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, or Manassas Park. If you are registering in Virginia for the first time and already have a current, valid emissions certificate from the last 12 months, DMV says you can register without a new Virginia emissions inspection. Otherwise, pass the test before you register. The Department of Environmental Quality can be reached at 703-583-3900 or 1-800-275-3844 in Virginia.

License, REAL ID, and local stickers

Apply for a Virginia driver's license within 60 days of moving, or within 30 days if you have a CDL. You can start the application online, then visit a DMV office with the identity and lawful-presence documents on the official list. Consider a REAL ID credential while you are there if you will need it for a domestic flight or a federal building, and bring the extra documents the REAL ID list requires.

Some localities also require a local sticker or decal within 30 days of moving there. Those are sold by the local Commissioner of the Revenue, treasurer, or director of finance, not by DMV. Ask the locality where you now live, and do not assume a county next door has the same rule.

Keep your address current with DMV so renewal reminders arrive. You can often renew registration later online or by mail, subject to the rules for your vehicle and locality. Voter registration is available at DMV offices if you want to register while you are there for a license.

If you are coordinating a household move with these deadlines, look up your mover in DMV's motor carrier search, and do not wait until the last week to book an inspection station or a DMV appointment. The license deadline is longer than the title and registration deadline. Mark both on a calendar the week you arrive. If you will live in an emissions locality, look up a testing station at the same time you book the safety inspection, so you are not standing in two lines in the last days of the 30-day window. Bring your out-of-state title, current registration, and identity documents to the first DMV visit so you do not have to make a second trip for a missing form.

FAQ

How long do I have to get a Virginia driver's license?

Sixty days after you move to Virginia, or 30 days if you hold a commercial driver's license.

How long do I have to title and register my vehicle?

You must title the vehicle within 30 days of moving, and register and get Virginia plates within 30 days as well. Buy insurance before you register.

Do I need a safety inspection before I drive?

Yes. DMV says the vehicle must pass an annual safety inspection and display a valid sticker before you operate it in Virginia. Driving without a sticker can lead to a ticket.

Who has to get an emissions inspection?

Vehicles kept in listed Northern Virginia localities, including Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford counties and several adjoining cities, generally must pass emissions before registration, unless you are registering for the first time and have a current certificate from the last 12 months.

Next step

Buy a Virginia-compliant auto policy, get the safety inspection sticker, and calendar the 30-day title and registration deadline and the 60-day license deadline. A licensed local agent can write the policy before you visit DMV, which is the order the state wants.

Sources: Virginia DMV, new to Virginia; Virginia DMV, insurance requirements; SCC Bureau of Insurance, Virginia Auto Insurance Consumer Guide (PDF).

Under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a landlord may not take a security deposit of more than two months' periodic rent. After the tenancy ends or you vacate, whichever is later, the landlord generally has 45 days to return the deposit or send a written itemized list of deductions.

What can be deducted, and what is the timeline?

Most residential tenancies are covered by the Act, but confirm that yours is if you have an unusual arrangement. The deposit may be applied only to accrued rent, including reasonable late charges in the rental agreement, damages beyond reasonable wear and tear from a failure to maintain the dwelling, other damages or charges the rental agreement allows, or actual damages for a lease breach. The landlord has to itemize deductions in a written notice, and send any balance to you, within 45 days after the later of the termination date or the date you vacate.

If damages exceed the deposit and require a third-party contractor, the landlord can give you written notice of that fact within the same 45 days, and then has 15 more days to provide the itemized repair costs. That extra time applies only if the notice is given as the statute describes. It is not a silent extension.

You have a right to be present at a move-out inspection. When the landlord asks you to vacate, or within five days after the landlord receives your notice that you intend to leave, the landlord must tell you in writing about that right. If you want to attend, say so in writing. The landlord must then tell you the date and time, and the inspection must be made within 72 hours of delivery of possession. After the inspection, you should receive a written disposition statement with an itemized list of damages. Photograph the empty unit, and keep the report. If the landlord later claims new damage, that report can matter.

If more than one tenant is on the lease, the refund is usually one check payable to all of you, sent to a forwarding address, unless you all agree otherwise in writing. Give a forwarding address. If none is provided, the landlord may hold the money, and after a year from the end of the 45-day period may send it to the State Treasurer as unclaimed property.

If the landlord willfully fails to follow the section, a court can order return of the deposit, actual damages, and reasonable attorney fees, unless you owe rent, in which case the deposit is credited against that rent. The current owner is bound to return a deposit that is duly owed, even if the building was sold.

Practical steps when you move in or out

Do a written move-in inspection, with photos, on the day you get the keys. Note existing marks, stains, and appliance problems. Ask the landlord to sign or acknowledge the list. At move-out, clean reasonably, return the keys, and document the empty unit. A dispute often comes down to wear and tear versus damage, and photos help.

The Act also allows a tenant, in some cases, to provide damage insurance instead of a cash deposit, if the policy meets statutory conditions, including that the provider is licensed or approved by the State Corporation Commission. You may later switch to a cash deposit. Read any insurance alternative carefully, because it is not the same as getting your cash back.

During the tenancy, the landlord must notify you in writing of deductions from the deposit within 30 days of deciding them, except for deductions made less than 30 days before the lease ends. If a utility bill is still open, the statute has a special process for withholding a reasonable portion, with prior written notice, and then reconciling when the bill is paid.

This article is about the residential Act, not about every possible exemption or every commercial lease. If your situation is unusual, or the landlord is holding more than two months' rent, talk with a tenant lawyer or a legal-aid program. Official text is in § 55.1-1226.

FAQ

How large can a Virginia security deposit be?

Under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit of more than two months' periodic rent.

How long does the landlord have to return it?

Generally 45 days after the later of the termination date or the date you vacate, with a written itemization of any deductions. If damages exceed the deposit and need a third-party contractor, and timely notice is given, the landlord has 15 more days to itemize those repairs.

Can I attend the move-out inspection?

Yes. The landlord must tell you about that right, you must ask in writing if you want to be there, and the inspection must be within 72 hours of delivery of possession.

What if I never get a forwarding-address check?

Provide a forwarding address in writing. If none is given, the landlord may hold the funds, and after a year they may be sent to the State Treasurer as unclaimed property.

Next step

Photograph the rental at move-in and move-out, give a forwarding address in writing, and calendar the 45-day mark. If the deposit does not arrive with a proper itemization, consider legal help, and review § 55.1-1226. A licensed local agent can help with the housing search, but deposit disputes are between you, the landlord, and, if needed, the courts.

Sources: Code of Virginia § 55.1-1226, security deposits; Code of Virginia, Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

If household goods are lost or damaged on an in-state Virginia move, file a written claim with the mover and keep the bill of lading, photos, and inventory. Ask about valuation options before moving day, because the payout may be far less than replacement cost.

What should you do on delivery day, and after?

Walk the rooms with the inventory in your hand before the crew leaves. Note dents, scratches, and missing cartons on the form, even if the mover seems rushed. Photograph the damage and the carton or furniture as it comes off the truck. A clean signature with no exceptions can make a later claim harder. If you cannot finish a full inspection in the driveway, write that you are noting obvious damage and will complete the inspection, and still follow up in writing quickly.

DMV's household-goods page tells carriers that a bill of lading should be on the truck and kept for three years, and that they must handle a written claim of loss or damage. Give the company a dated written claim, by the method the bill of lading or the booklet describes, and keep a copy. List each item, a description of the damage or shortage, and what it would cost to repair or replace, with receipts or estimates if you have them. Do not rely on a hallway promise that "we'll make it right next week."

DMV's consumer flyer tells you to ask about valuation, deposits, and payment before you hire the company. Valuation is not the same as a homeowners insurance policy. It is the mover's level of responsibility for the shipment, often with more than one option and a different price. Ask, in writing:

• What valuation options the carrier offers on this job.
• What you would be paid, in simple terms, if a listed item were lost or destroyed.
• Whether you can buy a higher valuation, and what it costs.
• How a claim should be delivered, and what support to attach.

If you have a homeowners or renters policy, call that insurer too, and ask how deductible, scheduled articles, and off-premises coverage would work. One path does not automatically cancel the other, and you should not skip the mover's claim just because you have a home policy.

Who else can help if the mover stalls?

For an in-state move, you can complain to DMV Motor Carrier Services at (804) 249-5130, or through the carrier complaint process on dmvNOW.com, and to the Attorney General's consumer hotline at (804) 786-2042 or (800) 552-9963. Have the estimate, bill of lading, claim letter, and photos ready. A regulator complaint can prompt a response. It is not a substitute for the written claim to the carrier, and it is not a guarantee of payment.

Confirm that the company you hired appears in DMV's motor carrier search, and that the authority matches the mileage. Moves over 30 miles generally need Household Goods Carrier authority and a tariff. A company that was never licensed is a bigger problem than a licensed company with a disputed claim, and you should still document everything.

Interstate moves follow federal household-goods rules. The claim process, time limits, and valuation options can differ from an in-state job. Ask at the estimate stage whether the shipment is interstate, and use the FMCSA consumer tools as well as any state complaint office.

Do not let a damaged high-value item sit unclaimed while you unpack for weeks. File the written claim as soon as you can reasonably inspect, and ask the company in writing to confirm receipt. If a deadline is printed on the bill of lading or in the consumer booklet, calendar it the day you see it. If the paperwork is silent or confusing, ask DMV how to proceed rather than guessing. You can also complain to DMV or the Office of the Attorney General if the company ignores a complete written claim. Keep a simple log of dates, phone calls, and email subject lines so you can show when you reported the damage and when you asked for a response.

FAQ

Should I file a claim with the mover or only with my homeowners insurer?

File a written claim with the mover. Then ask your homeowners or renters insurer how your policy might apply. Keep both conversations documented.

What is valuation?

Valuation is the mover's level of responsibility for lost or damaged goods, and it may be offered at more than one level and price. Ask about the options before the truck is loaded, and get the choice on the estimate or bill of lading.

Who regulates in-state moving claims in Virginia?

DMV Motor Carrier Services licenses in-state movers and takes carrier complaints. The Attorney General's consumer office can also help. For interstate moves, federal rules also apply.

What records matter most?

The bill of lading, the inventory with your delivery-day notes, photos, the estimate, and your dated written claim. Keep copies of everything you send and receive.

Next step

If you have not moved yet, ask each company for its valuation options in writing and look the carrier up with DMV. If goods were already damaged, file a written claim now and, if needed, call DMV at (804) 249-5130 or the Attorney General's consumer hotline. A licensed local agent can help you think through timing around a closing, but the claim itself is with the mover.

Sources: Virginia DMV, household goods carriers; Virginia DMV, Making a Better Move flyer, DMV272 (PDF); Virginia DMV, motor carrier search.

DMV tells Virginians to get at least three written moving estimates and to ask whether each quote is binding. On moves over 30 miles, charges should follow the carrier's DMV-filed tariff, and you should receive the "Making a Better Move in Virginia" booklet. Ask for an in-home survey, not only a phone guess.

What should a written estimate include?

An estimate is easier to compare when it lists the origin and destination, the mileage band (over or under 30 miles), the inventory or rooms surveyed, the labor rate or tariff items, valuation options, deposits, and when payment is due. If one company emails a single number with no inventory, treat that as incomplete. DMV's consumer flyer, DMV272, specifically encourages three written estimates, a discussion of binding versus non-binding quotes, a visual survey, and questions about valuation, deposit, and payment.

A binding estimate, if the company offers one and you do not add goods or services, is meant to cap what you pay for the work described. A non-binding estimate is an approximation. The final bill can be higher if the tariff or hourly charges, and the actual inventory, exceed the guess. Ask which kind you are holding, in writing. If the crew arrives and finds a basement, a shed, or a piano that was not on the survey, the price can change. Walk the mover through every space you expect to have packed or hauled.

For deliveries over 30 miles, DMV says the household-goods carrier should have a tariff on file, and the estimate and bill of lading should list the charges. Ask to see how your quote was built from that tariff. For moves of 30 miles or less, hourly billing under Property Carrier authority is common. In that case, ask how many people and trucks will be on the job, when the clock starts and stops, and whether travel time, stairs, long carries, or packing materials are extra.

The "Making a Better Move in Virginia" booklet is a consumer document the carrier should give you on a household-goods move. Read it before moving day. Keep it with the estimate, the bill of lading, and any change order you sign if the inventory grows.

How do you compare companies without getting boxed in?

Look each carrier up in DMV's motor carrier search and confirm the authority matches the job. Then compare the three written estimates on the same inventory. A low hourly rate with a larger crew, or a low non-binding estimate with a thin inventory, can cost more in the end than a higher, complete quote.

Ask, and get the answers in writing:

• Is this estimate binding or non-binding?
• Was it based on a visual survey?
• What valuation options are available, and what do they cost?
• What deposit is required, and which payment methods are accepted on delivery day?
• When will the bill of lading be issued, and will a copy stay with the shipment?

Do not pay a large cash deposit to a company you cannot look up. Do not sign a blank or incomplete bill of lading. On delivery, note damage or shortage on the inventory before the crew leaves, take photos, and follow the mover's written claim instructions promptly.

If the dispute is about the estimate, the tariff, or how you were billed, you can complain to DMV at (804) 249-5130 or through dmvNOW.com, and to the Attorney General's consumer hotline at (800) 552-9963. For interstate moves, federal household-goods rules apply, and the estimate rules can differ. Ask whether the job is intrastate or interstate before you compare quotes. If a company will not do a visual survey, or wants a large cash deposit before it will put anything in writing, treat that as a warning and get another estimate. Keep every version of the quote, including texts and emails, so you can show what changed after the walk-through. If packing is included, ask whether wardrobes, mattress bags, and boxes are in the price, and who is responsible if a packed carton fails. Those details belong on the estimate, not in a hallway conversation on moving morning.

FAQ

How many estimates should I get?

DMV's consumer flyer tells households to ask for at least three written estimates. Use the same inventory for each company so the numbers are comparable.

What is the difference between a binding and a non-binding estimate?

A binding estimate, for the work it describes, is meant to lock the price unless you add goods or services. A non-binding estimate is an approximation, and the final charges can be higher based on the tariff or hourly work actually performed.

Do I get a booklet from the mover?

On household-goods moves, the carrier should give you "Making a Better Move in Virginia." Ask for it if it is not offered, and read it before moving day.

Why does the 30-mile line change the paperwork?

Moves over 30 miles generally use a Household Goods Carrier tariff filed with DMV. Shorter moves are often billed hourly under Property Carrier authority. The estimate should say which kind of job you have.

Next step

Get three written estimates from companies you have looked up in DMV's motor carrier search, and ask each one to walk the house and to state whether the quote is binding. A licensed local agent who knows the area can help you think through timing, but the authority and the tariff are DMV issues.

Sources: Virginia DMV, Making a Better Move flyer, DMV272 (PDF); Virginia DMV, household goods carriers; Virginia DMV, motor carrier search.