Louisiana moving company license, rules and marketing

Do you need a license to move households in Louisiana?

Yes. Under state law (La. R.S. 45:164), every intrastate mover of household goods must get a common carrier certificate from the LPSC before doing any moving work. You must also carry the required insurance, file a surety bond, carry workers' compensation and keep a staffed permanent place of business in Louisiana.

Movers in Louisiana are regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Transportation Division (LPSC). The permit is called the Common Carrier Certificate (Household Goods).

1. Set up a permanent establishment in Louisiana, such as an office or terminal, open and staffed during regular business hours. Out-of-state carriers must register this location with the Louisiana Secretary of State and the LPSC.
2. Register your company with the Louisiana Secretary of State and get a certificate of good standing if you are an LLC or corporation.
3. File LPSC form T-77, the Common Carrier of Household Goods Application, signed and notarized, with the $200 non-refundable filing fee and a letter from your insurer saying it will write your coverage.
4. Submit your initial tariff showing how you charge (flat, hourly or mileage), when hourly charges start and stop, and any fuel surcharge.
5. Within 30 days, have your insurer file Form E (liability) and Form H (cargo), send proof of workers' compensation, and file the original $5,000 surety bond.
6. Buy LPSC identification stamps with Form T-44 ($10 per vehicle) and put a stamped cab card in each truck. Stamps and cab cards are renewed every year.
7. File annual reports with the LPSC and pay the quarterly inspection and supervision fees collected by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

What insurance and paperwork does a Louisiana mover need?

• Liability: $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury plus $10,000 property damage, or a $510,000 combined single limit.
• Cargo: at least $50,000 per truck and $100,000 per catastrophe.
• Workers' compensation insurance is required.
• A $5,000 surety bond must be filed with the LPSC.

When you work with customers in Louisiana, plan for these rules:

• Give a written estimate before any moving work, signed by your company and the customer, that includes all expected charges under your tariff. If the customer skips the estimate, both sides must sign a written waiver.
• The final bill may be up to 10% above the written estimate without extra paperwork. If it runs higher, you must release the goods once the customer pays the estimate plus 10%.
• If the bill is more than 10% but not more than 20% over the estimate, give the customer a written explanation. Going over 20% can lead to a citation and a public hearing.
• Keep estimates, waivers and signed final invoices for one year and give them to the LPSC on request.
• Show your legal name, physical address and LPSC certificate number in all advertising and on every invoice, bid and estimate.

Do Louisiana movers need a USDOT number?

Louisiana is not on FMCSA's list of states that require a USDOT number for intrastate-only carriers, and the LPSC household goods packet does not ask for one. Larger trucks may still fall under safety rules, so confirm with the LPSC.

If you take jobs that cross the Louisiana state line, federal rules apply on top of the state rules:

• USDOT number: every mover that carries household goods across state lines needs one from the FMCSA.
• Operating authority (MC number): for-hire household goods movers need FMCSA authority before taking interstate jobs.
• Insurance on file: your insurer files proof of liability and cargo coverage with the FMCSA.
• Process agent (BOC-3): someone in each state who can accept legal papers on your behalf.
• Unified Carrier Registration: a yearly registration, priced by fleet size.
• Customer paperwork: a written estimate, a bill of lading, the FMCSA booklet “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” and access to an arbitration program for loss and damage claims.

The licenses and insurance guide explains each one.

What is the moving market like in Louisiana?

• Hurricane season shapes the calendar. Storms bring evacuation moves, storage demand and long rebuild periods when families move out and back in.
• New Orleans has narrow streets, raised homes, tight stairs and historic neighborhoods, so crews often need smaller trucks and more carrying time.
• Fort Johnson near Leesville and Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City bring steady military moves.
• Oil, gas and petrochemical jobs around Lake Charles, Houma and Lafayette make demand rise and fall with the energy industry.
• LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana Tech in Ruston and the New Orleans universities create busy student move seasons.

Most moves in Louisiana happen around New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport-Bossier City, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Houma-Thibodaux.

How do you market a moving company in Louisiana?

• Put your LPSC certificate number, legal name and physical address on your website, ads and estimates. The LPSC requires it in advertising, and it shows customers you are licensed.
• Explain the written estimate and 10% rule on your site. Customers worried about surprise bills will trust a mover who spells out the rules.
• Create pages for each parish and town you serve, like Metairie, Kenner, Slidell, Prairieville and Broussard. Local town pages help you show up for each one.
• Before and after hurricanes, calls spike at odd hours. Answer every call and text fast, or let an AI receptionist book jobs while your crews work.