Local movers in Hawaii only work within a set of islands. So, if you’re trying to relocate to the mainland, some companies might not have any experience transporting household belongings to the mainland U.S.
Before moving on to that, let’s understand the regulations involved.
Movers in Hawaii have to abide by the rules and regulations of:
- United States Department of Transportation
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Public Utilities Commission
- Federal Maritime Commission
How Do Regulations Work?
The United States Department of Transportation imposes transportation regulations nationwide and keeps a database of registered companies/individuals. Its subdivision, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, deals with safety standards.
The Public Utilities Commission deals with local regulations (in this case, within Hawaii). The Federal Maritime Commission, which regulates the transportation of goods via maritime routes (from the island to the mainland in this case), has the following regulatory duties:
- Reviewing and supervising contracts between ocean transport carriers and marine port operators.
- Ensuring there are no unexpected increases in transportation fees.
- Reviewing all the confidential service contracts.
- Making sure the movers have the right forums for exporters, importers, and shipping containers.
- Ensuring that the moving tariff charges are available to the public.
- Monitoring all the government-issued carrier vehicles and shipping containers.
- Helping cruise companies take financial responsibility and reimburse their customers for any damage.
- Resolving disputes among the transport of cargo and personal belongings.
Together, these regulatory authorities ensure that transporters are capable of and adequately insured to handle your job.
However, you must also stay vigilant and look for any red flags. Don’t fall for a low quote; you might pick an unscrupulous party for the job. These regulations will ensure your safety; your moving company must be familiar with and follow them.
Ask them outright if they’re registered with the authorities, insured, etc.
Double-check their credentials.
Don’t proceed unless you’re 100% sure about the moving company you want to work with.
How Does Regulation Help Consumers?
It doesn’t matter if you have insane organization skills; moving can take a toll on anyone. After all, packing up and starting over in a new place is stressful. You must ensure that there are no loose ends and that your belongings are taken care of.
This is why there are regulations to begin with!
The idea is to ensure a smooth relocation for you.
You are allowed to cross-check the credentials of your chosen moving company to make sure they’re well within the state’s regulations. Think of moving as an investment, and don’t forget to file a complaint if your movers don’t fill all the state’s requirements!
How to Verify a Moving Company’s License?
The FMCSA has all the information you need before selecting your moving company. You can visit the agency’s online portal and check out the “Safety Measurement System.” Here, you’ll find all the data about any company’s license, registration, and record.
Any reliable moving company will always display its United States Department of Transportation or DOT number on its website. This lets you know if the movers registered themselves with the state. You can also double-check the following things when you visit FMCSA’s website.
Here’s what you’ll find there:
- The moving company’s safety rating
- All the contact information, such as address and phone numbers
- What type of services do they provide
- How long their business has been established
- Their insurance requirements
Scammers can and do fake their government-issued DOT numbers. But you can verify the details in a couple of minutes (please do). As mentioned above, just visit the official government website and enter the DOT number. That’s it!
Beyond this, you’ll also want to check for online reviews, past customer experience, and the general reputation of the moving company before hiring them. Avoid doing things at the last minute. This way, you can have complete peace of mind.
Remember, there’s nothing wrong with asking your moving company for their DOT number or referrals. After all, you’re trusting them with your household goods. Trust is a two-way lane. Hopefully, you’ll be able to make informed choices!
