Every state regulates moving companies differently — Texas included. This guide covers what a legal Texas mover must hold, what the law says about estimates and deposits, where residents are actually moving, and one phone line that reaches professional moving companies serving the state.
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The rulebook
Moving within Texas is state-regulated. Under 43 TAC Section 218.11, a household goods carrier may not operate a vehicle on a Texas public highway without first obtaining a certificate of registration from TxDMV and a valid, active USDOT number. TxDMV says a legal Texas mover will show an 'Active' TxDMV certificate number, which you can check for free in the department's Truck Stop Motor Carrier Lookup. Under 43 TAC Section 218.65 (implementing Transportation Code Section 643.153), every household goods carrier must also have a moving-services tariff on file with TxDMV, either its own or one filed by an approved ratemaking association. TxDMV requires licensed movers to display the company name, TxDMV certificate number, and USDOT number on both sides of the truck.
| Question | Texas answer |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), Motor Carrier Division |
| Credential a legal mover holds | Motor carrier certificate of registration with household goods authority (an 'Active' TxDMV certificate number), plus an active USDOT number |
| Estimate rules | Under 43 TAC Section 218.56, before loading anything a Texas mover must give you a written proposal that states the maximum amount you could be required to pay for the listed items and services. The proposal must clearly say whether it is binding (exact price) or not-to-exceed (a stated maximum the mover may charge less than), must state when payment is due and what payment forms are accepted, and must conspicuously state the mover's liability, if any, for loss or damage. If items or services are added, the mover and customer must agree in writing before the extra work is done; under 43 TAC Section 218.56(e), if the mover fails to properly amend or substitute the proposal, it may only charge what the original proposal stated. Under 43 TAC Section 218.55, the mover must also hand you TxDMV's consumer disclosure, 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move in Texas,' when it gives you the proposal. |
| Deposit rules | Texas law does not set a dollar cap on deposits or down payments. Instead, 43 TAC Section 218.56 requires the written proposal to state when payment is required and what forms of payment are accepted, and 43 TAC Section 218.57 requires the mover to release your goods at destination once you pay the maximum price listed on the moving services contract - a mover cannot demand more than that last written maximum to unload. |
| Liability / valuation | Under 43 TAC Section 218.53 (as amended effective January 2, 2025), Texas adopts by reference the federal voluntary standard for uniform household goods cargo liability in 49 CFR Section 375.201, pursuant to Transportation Code Section 643.152. In practice, TxDMV explains that you and the mover agree in writing to the mover's liability level before the move - including, if you both agree, a limit such as 60 cents per pound per article, or even no carrier liability at all. Under 43 TAC Section 218.57, the moving services contract must expressly state if the mover's liability is $0.00 and must disclose any cost tied to a higher liability level, along with a statement that a liability agreement is not an insurance policy. Separate transit insurance covering loss above the mover's liability may be offered by the mover or bought from an insurer (43 TAC Section 218.54). |
| Where to complain | File mover complaints with TxDMV: use the department's online Complaint Management System (linked from https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/consumer-protection/dont-make-a-move), or call the TxDMV consumer helpline at (888) 368-4689 (8 a.m.-4 p.m. Central, Monday-Friday). For loss or damage, 43 TAC Section 218.61 requires you to first file a written claim with the mover within 90 days of delivery; the mover has 23 days to acknowledge and 90 days to pay, decline, or make a firm settlement offer. If you are unhappy with the outcome, TxDMV offers free mediation under 43 TAC Section 218.62 (Household Goods Mover Mediation Request Form). Rule violations can lead to TxDMV enforcement action and administrative penalties under 43 TAC Chapter 218, Subchapter F, with contested cases set for administrative hearing. |
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TxDMV reorganized its motor carrier rules in 43 TAC Chapter 218 effective January 2, 2025 (adopted December 27, 2024, 49 TexReg 10678 and 10684). Household goods consumer-protection rules are now consolidated in Subchapter E (Sections 218.50-218.65), and the cargo-liability rule - now Section 218.53 - adopts the federal voluntary standard in 49 CFR Section 375.201. Note for older guides: Section 218.32 is now 'Motor Carrier Records,' not the valuation rule.
The moment your move leaves Texas, federal FMCSA rules take over: the mover needs an active USDOT number, estimates must be in writing, non-binding estimates carry the federal 110% cap on what's due at delivery, and you're entitled to the 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet plus access to arbitration. Our field guide walks each protection in plain English.
Texas took in 611,942 people from other states and sent 478,570 out in the most recent Census migration year — net +133,372, ranking #13 of 51 on arrivals per 1,000 residents. 14.1% of residents changed homes within the year (ACS). Here is where the traffic actually goes:
| Destination | Movers/yr |
|---|---|
| California | 38,732 |
| Florida | 37,781 |
| Colorado | 32,150 |
| Oklahoma | 31,506 |
| Georgia | 20,923 |
| Origin | Movers/yr |
|---|---|
| California | 93,970 |
| Florida | 50,513 |
| Oklahoma | 29,743 |
| New York | 29,610 |
| Louisiana | 28,458 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS state-to-state migration flows. Full 51-state rankings on the study page.
Season & timing
Texas moving demand peaks in summer, when highs above 100 degrees F are routine across much of the state - schedule loading for early morning, keep people hydrated, and do not leave electronics, candles, medications, or houseplants in a closed van during the heat of the day. Gulf Coast movers should also watch hurricane season (June through November), which can force short-notice rescheduling.
The national demand math still applies on top of the weather: May through September is peak, month-ends spike with leases, and mid-month mid-week dates are the reliable capacity valley. Flexible dates are worth more than any coupon.
Services
How it works in Texas, what drives the estimate, and the questions that catch problems early.
How it works →How it works in Texas, what drives the estimate, and the questions that catch problems early.
How it works →How it works in Texas, what drives the estimate, and the questions that catch problems early.
How it works →How it works in Texas, what drives the estimate, and the questions that catch problems early.
How it works →Q & A
Modest deposits happen, especially peak season, but large cash-only deposits are the signature move of moving fraud. Texas law does not set a dollar cap on deposits or down payments. Instead, 43 TAC Section 218.56 requires the written proposal to state when payment is required and what forms of payment are accepted, and 43 TAC Section…
Released value is the free federal minimum on interstate moves — sixty cents per pound per article, which turns a shattered TV into pocket change. Full-value protection costs more and makes the mover repair, replace, or pay out actual value. Which one you have is decided on paper before loading, not after breakage.
Two to four weeks works most of the year; summer month-ends and long-distance dates reward six-plus. Booking early buys you date choice, not just availability. If you're inside two weeks, flexibility on the exact day is your best card — dispatchers fill gaps constantly.
Interstate pricing is built on shipment weight, mileage, and services (packing, stairs, shuttles, storage), documented on a rated order for service. That's why phone estimates without an inventory are guesses — and why the written estimate rules exist.
Tipping is customary but never required, and no legitimate crew will pressure you. If the crew was careful and fast, cash per mover at the end of the day is the norm; if something went wrong, your money should go to the claims process instead.
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