If you are planning a move, one of the first questions is which rules apply to it. A move from Dallas to Houston and a move from Dallas to Chicago can look alike on moving day. The same crew wraps the same furniture and loads the same truck. On paper, though, they are two different kinds of moves. One is an intrastate move, regulated by the State of Texas. The other is an interstate move, regulated by the federal government.
That difference decides which license your mover needs, which brochure you should be handed, what your estimate has to show, and where you go if something goes wrong. This guide explains, in plain language, how Texas intrastate movers and interstate movers are regulated, so you can check any mover’s paperwork before you book.
Intrastate vs. Interstate: what decides it
The route decides it, not the distance.
- Intrastate move: the move starts and ends inside Texas. A move across town in Fort Worth is intrastate. So is a move from Dallas to El Paso, even though that trip covers hundreds of miles of highway (see our guide to West Texas cities and towns).
- Interstate move: the move starts in Texas and ends in another state, such as Fort Worth to Oklahoma City or Houston to Atlanta. A short drive across a state line still counts as interstate.
Many people assume “long-distance” means “interstate.” It doesn’t. A long haul between two Texas cities is still a Texas move under Texas rules. A short hop across a state line is a federal move.
Who regulates Texas moves: TxDMV
Moves that stay inside the state fall under the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). According to the TxDMV’s When You Move in Texas brochure, every household goods mover operating within Texas must have an active TxDMV certificate number and follow the rules in Chapter 218 of Title 43 of the Texas Administrative Code. That applies to major van lines and to small local movers with a single truck.
Here’s what the TxDMV says a licensed Texas mover will do:
- Give you the Texas rights brochure. Licensed movers must give you Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move in Texas before they load your items.
- Put the price in writing before loading. Before loading, the mover must give you a written proposal that describes the services and shows the most you could be asked to pay. The proposal becomes part of your moving services contract, which you also receive before loading, and the latest written proposal or contract shows the total you’ll pay at delivery.
- Mark the trucks. TxDMV requires licensed movers to show their name, TxDMV certificate number and USDOT number on both sides of the truck.
- Agree on liability up front. You and the mover agree on the mover’s liability for loss or damage before the move. TxDMV’s own example: at 60 cents per pound per item, a lost 50-pound TV pays $30.
You can confirm any Texas mover’s status in the TxDMV Truck Stop motor carrier lookup. An “Active” status means the mover is licensed.
Who regulates interstate moves: FMCSA
Once your move crosses a state line, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) takes over. Interstate movers need a USDOT number, and for-hire household goods movers also need interstate operating authority, which is the “MC” number.
Under FMCSA rules, interstate movers must give you two documents before the move: the Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet and FMCSA’s Ready to Move brochure. Together they explain the paperwork you’ll sign, including the estimate, the order for service and the bill of lading. They also cover your options if something is lost or damaged.
You can look up any interstate mover’s federal record on the FMCSA SAFER company snapshot. That link opens Condor’s own record, USDOT 1126171, so you can see what a clean lookup looks like.
Side-by-side: what changes between a Texas move and an out-of-state move
| Intrastate (within Texas) | Interstate (Texas to another state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration |
| License to check | TxDMV certificate number | USDOT number and MC number |
| Brochure you should receive | Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move in Texas | Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move and Ready to Move |
| Where to verify | TxDMV Truck Stop | FMCSA SAFER |
| Claim deadline | Written claim within 90 days of delivery | At least nine months, as stated on your bill of lading |
| If a claim isn’t resolved | Free TxDMV mediation, then court | Arbitration program offered by the mover, then court |
How claims work on each kind of move
Most moves end without a claim. Still, the rules are worth knowing before move day.
Texas moves. According to TxDMV, you file a written claim with your mover within 90 days of delivery. Include enough detail for the mover to investigate, and keep the damaged item and its boxes, because the mover may inspect them within 30 days. The mover has 23 days to acknowledge your claim and 90 days to pay, deny or make a settlement offer. If you’re not satisfied, TxDMV offers mediation at no cost. You request it within 35 days of the mover’s response, or after 90 days with no response.
Interstate moves. Federal law says a mover can’t give you less than nine months to file a claim (49 U.S.C. §14706). The claim-handling rules in 49 CFR Part 1005 set the timelines for acknowledging and settling it. FMCSA itself doesn’t resolve individual claims. Disputes that aren’t settled can go to the arbitration program your interstate mover is required to offer.
If you moved with Condor, start on our file-a-claim page.
Coverage: the same on every Condor move
Whichever rules apply, coverage on a Condor move works the same way. Every move includes released value coverage at 60 cents per pound per article, at no extra charge. Released value is based on weight, not on what the item is worth, so it pays little for light, expensive things like electronics or artwork.
If you want your belongings covered for what it would cost to replace them, Condor offers full value replacement coverage only through Baker International, an independent moving-insurance company. You buy it directly from Baker. Our moving coverage page explains how it works, step by step.
Estimates: get a binding number in writing
Every Condor move is priced with a binding estimate, a written price based on your actual inventory, both addresses and the services you choose. To keep the estimate accurate, tell us about:
- every room and storage area, including the garage, attic and any storage unit
- stairs, elevators and long walks from the door to the truck at either home
- items that need special handling, such as pianos, safes, gun safes and large TVs
- any packing you want us to do
At either end of a move, a full-size truck sometimes can’t reach the door because of a narrow street, a low clearance or HOA rules. Then a smaller shuttle truck finishes the trip. Condor’s shuttle fee is $0.75 per cubic foot, and we’ll flag it on your estimate if your addresses need one. Condor also offers price matching, so if you have a comparable written estimate from another licensed mover, share it with your consultant.
How Condor handles both kinds of moves
Condor Moving Systems has been moving Texans since 2003 and is a company based in Fort Worth. We’re licensed for both kinds of moves:
- TxDMV 006041428C for moves within Texas
- USDOT 1126171 and MC-458180 for moves from Texas to other states
For moves inside the state, see our Texas local movers page, which covers moves across town and between Texas cities. For longer hauls, our long-distance movers handle intercity Texas moves and moves out of the state. If you’re leaving Texas, our out-of-state movers page shows the states we move Texans to.
If your employer or a relocation company is paying for the move, Condor can bill them directly.
A quick checklist before you book
- Name your move type. Same state means intrastate; another state means interstate.
- Ask for the right license number. For a Texas move, look for a TxDMV certificate number. For an out-of-state move, look for USDOT and MC numbers.
- Verify it yourself. Use TxDMV Truck Stop or FMCSA SAFER. It takes about two minutes.
- Get the right brochure. If no one hands you a rights brochure, ask for it.
- Get a binding estimate in writing before anything is loaded.
- Decide on coverage before move day, whether that’s released value or full replacement through Baker International.
- Book at least two weeks ahead. Earlier is better around month-end and in summer.
Ready to compare? Request a free moving quote and we’ll follow up with a binding estimate. Our office at 4009 E Loop 820 S, Suite C, Fort Worth, TX 76119 is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Central.
Frequently asked questions
Is a move from Dallas to Houston an intrastate or interstate move?
It’s an intrastate move. Both cities are in Texas, so the move falls under Texas Department of Motor Vehicles rules, and your mover needs an active TxDMV certificate number. Distance doesn’t change that.
What license should a Texas intrastate mover have?
An active TxDMV certificate number. You can check it in the TxDMV Truck Stop lookup. Condor’s Texas number is TxDMV 006041428C.
What license does a mover need to take me from Texas to another state?
A USDOT number and interstate operating authority, the MC number, both from FMCSA. Condor’s are USDOT 1126171 and MC-458180, and you can check them on FMCSA’s SAFER site.
How long do I have to file a damage claim?
For a move within Texas, TxDMV says to file a written claim with your mover within 90 days of delivery. For an interstate move, federal law gives you at least nine months, and the exact deadline is printed on your bill of lading.
Does Condor give binding estimates for both kinds of moves?
Yes. Every Condor move, within Texas or out of state, is priced with a written binding estimate based on your inventory and the services you choose.
How far ahead should I book a move?
Book at least two weeks ahead. For month-end dates, summer moves or long-distance moves, booking earlier gives you more choice of dates.