The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implements Federal consumer protection regulations associated with the interstate consignment of household goods i.e., household moves that cross State lines. FMCSA has apprehended this responsibility since 1999, and the Department of Transportation has held this responsibility since 1995.

Rules and Regulations

The FMCSA controls interstate household moving companies under the power of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which Congress passed in 2005. Interstate moving companies must search for authority from the FMCSA to perform household goods moves and must obey with Federal requirements.

An estimation of 40 million American family circles move each year, including about 600,000 moves where customers employ a best moving company to help them with a move that crosses State lines. These interstate moves are synchronized by the FMCSA (moves totally within the boundaries of one State are regulated by State law). While most of these moves are performed without event, a major number leave customers disappointed, overcharged, or without their personal belongings.

Customer Alertness

While both the FMCSA and State enforcement agencies can take authorized action against dishonest movers, public education is critical: The more the moving public knows about dishonest movers and good moving practices, the better talented those individual consumers will be to avoid becoming sufferers.

Enforcement & fulfillment

The FMCSA manages an inclusive household goods compliance and enforcement program that make use of education, outreach, and enforcement plans to decrease scam moving company and to increase compliance with Federal regulations. The FMCSA's national household goods conformity and enforcement program encourages more compliance through data analysis, enforcement, investigations, and education and outreach actions.

Liability for household goods enforcement and observance actions within the FMCSA is shared through:

The Commercial Enforcement Division together with the Household Goods Enforcement and Compliance Team, which places general rule, examines data and directs enforcement activity;

Some dedicated Commercial Enforcement experts and over 100 Field Investigators, who carry out roadside examinations and compliance appraisal (the FMCSA charged more than $1 million in penalties throughout Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010 next to movers who failed to obey with Federal regulations);

Field Administrators, who supervise the household supplies program for States inside their areas;

Division Administrators, who devise enforcement plans and apply planned actions within their States;

The Outreach Division, which performs customer education and outreach labors, together with preserving to the Protect Your Move Web site;

The Communication Division, which collect complaints by means of a hotline and the National Consumer Complaint Database.

Joint venture

Also, the FMCSA organizes household goods actions with State and local authorities such as customer relationships divisions, attorneys general, departments of transportation and licensing agencies. These agencies give information to consumers, handle consumer complaints, confirm state licensing compliance and join up local law enforcement agencies as required. SAFETEA-LU authorizes the FMCSA to hand over its enforcement power to State regulatory groups and State Attorneys General; the FMCSA is in the development of confirming preparations with some States to delegate this authority so that States can turn into full enforcement partners.

The FMCSA also works with moving industry associations and groups to raise consumer and transporters' understanding of household goods regulations.

Related Articles

Enjoy Your Moving With Mover Rankings

How To Identify The Best Moving Company?

Professional Moving Companies Provide Efficient Services

Take Free Moving Quotes from the Leading Moving Company