Before hiring a moving team, it’s important to check their validity and reputation. You can do this by looking at their page on the Better Business Bureau, searching them up on Yelp or Google Reviews, and checking their USDOT number. The USDOT number is one of the most important ways to make sure you’re hiring a legitimate moving company, and it can tell you a lot about their business. Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about USDOT numbers and how to check them.
What is A USDOT Number?
If you’re moving across state lines, the company you choose needs to meet some requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which includes having a registered USDOT number. The USDOT number serves as a way for the government to identify and keep track of moving companies. The number allows anyone to look into the history of the company, their reputation, and any crash investigations they’ve undergone. For clients, the number allows you to properly investigate the moving company before you hire them.
Why Does it Matter?
Searching a company’s USDOT number is one of the easiest ways to weed out moving scams and rogue companies. All interstate moving companies, and some local moving companies, are required to register with the FMCSA and get a USDOT number. If the moving company you’re looking into has a USDOT number, it means they’re most likely a reliable service. USDOT numbers mean the company is registered with the Department of Transportation, and that they are legally allowed to assist in moves across state lines. With the company’s USDOT number, you’ll be able to see important information about their location, fleet size, complaints history, crash investigation history, and safety ratings. Even if a moving business has a registered USDOT number, they might not have the best track record. Searching the USDOT numbers of different companies allows you to compare the performance records of different companies and choose the best service for your move.
How Do I Check?
Interstate moving companies will often display their USDOT numbers at the bottom of their website’s home page. You can also directly ask the moving company for their number, and they should have no problems giving it to you. Once you have their number, go to the FMCSA website. You can enter it into their mover search tool under “U.S DOT”, and then press “Search.” The website should display a full history of the company, which you can survey for any worrying investigations or reviews.
Affordable and Effective Moving With Element Moving and Storage
Element Moving and Storage offers reliable services at a price you can afford. Our moving team can handle as much or as little of the moving process as you like. We can take care of packing, loading/unloading, transporting and even unpacking your belongings according to your specifications. If you have any items you can’t move, take advantage of our long-term and short-term storage, protected by 24/7 security cameras and local law enforcement. Call or visit our website today for a free quote on your move!
Recent Comments