The Official Roadmap to Starting a Moving Company in Arizona

A verified guide sourced exclusively from Arizona Revised Statutes and the Department of Public Safety.

Regulation Check: Do I need a state license?

Arizona is an "unregulated" state for household goods. This means there is no "PUC" or "DMV" moving permit.

Step 1: Federal Registration (USDOT)

Even though the state doesn't license you, the Feds do.

USDOT Number: Required for ALL commercial vehicles in Arizona, even if you stay within the state.
Apply: Register for free via the FMCSA website to get your number immediately.

Mark Step 1 as Complete

Step 2: Contract Compliance (A.R.S. 44-1612)

Your contract MUST contain specific legal language.

Written Contract: You must provide a signed contract before loading any goods.
Fees: Every potential fee must be listed. You cannot charge fees that were not disclosed.
Disclaimer: Must include a signed disclaimer stating the customer can cancel at any time before services begin.

Mark Step 2 as Complete

Step 3: Insurance & Weights

No state filing, but you must be covered.

Insurance: You must carry commercial auto liability. Cargo insurance is optional but strongly recommended to avoid liability lawsuits.
Weights & Measures: If you charge by weight, your truck scales must be certified by the AZ Dept. of Agriculture.

Mark Step 3 as Complete

Step 4: Operational "Must Haves"

Required by Arizona Consumer Fraud statutes.

No Hostage Loads: You MUST release the goods if the customer pays the estimated price listed in the contract.
Markings: Truck should display your Company Name and USDOT number.

Mark Step 4 as Complete

The "Don't Get Fined" Zone

$10,000 Fine: Violating the contract disclosure rules (A.R.S. 44-1612) can trigger fines up to $10,000 per violation.
Police Enforcement: Arizona law allows police officers to force you to unload a truck if you are holding goods hostage illegally.
Local Permits: Cities like Phoenix and Tucson may require "Right-of-Way" permits for parking your truck on the street.

Official Government Portals

Frequently Asked Questions
      1. Do I need a moving license in Arizona?
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        No. Arizona does not issue a specific "Household Goods Mover" license. However, you MUST have a federal USDOT number to operate commercial vehicles, and you must comply with state consumer protection statutes.
      
      2. Do I need a USDOT number?
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        Yes. Arizona requires all commercial motor carriers (including intrastate movers) to obtain and display a USDOT number for safety tracking purposes.
      
      3. What is the "Hostage Load" law?
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        Under A.R.S. 44-1614, it is illegal for a mover to refuse to unload goods if the customer pays the total estimated price listed in the contract. You cannot hold goods to force payment of extra, undisclosed fees.
      
      4. Do I need to file a Tariff?
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        No. Arizona is a "free market" state for movers. You do not file rates with the government. However, you must disclose your rates clearly in your written contract before the move begins.
      
      5. What insurance do I need?
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        Arizona does not have a state agency that monitors "Form H" cargo filings for intrastate movers. However, you should carry commercial auto liability (typically $750k) and cargo insurance to protect yourself from liability lawsuits and meet federal standards if you ever cross state lines.
      
      6. Can I give a verbal estimate?
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        No. A written contract containing the estimate is legally required before you provide any services. Providing services without a signed contract is a violation of Arizona law.
      
      7. What if the final price is higher than the estimate?
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        If the customer pays the estimated price, you must unload their goods. You can then bill them for the difference, but you cannot hold their property as leverage to collect the overage immediately.
      
      8. Who enforces moving laws in AZ?
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        The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) enforces safety and USDOT rules on the road. The Arizona Attorney General enforces consumer fraud and contract violations.
      
      9. Do I need local city permits?
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        Possibly. Cities like Phoenix and Tucson may require "Right-of-Way" permits if you need to reserve parking spaces or block a lane of traffic for your truck.
      
      10. Can I charge for packing materials?
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        Yes, but only if these fees were disclosed in the written contract signed before the move. Adding "surprise" packing fees at the end is considered a deceptive practice.

NOT SURE WHERE TO START? LET’S TALK STRATEGY.

Stop guessing. Hop on a quick 15-minute call with us. We’ll look at your current setup, identify your biggest bottlenecks, and give you an honest recommendation on how to grow.

What to expect on this call:

No High-Pressure Sales Tactics: We hate them too. If we aren't a good fit, we'll tell you.
A "Mini-Audit": We’ll pull up your current website or Google profile live on the call.
Real Advice: You’re talking to actual movers who have scaled companies, not a script-reading salesperson.