What a mover's ads must show
Two things, in every ad: the company name as registered with FMCSA, and the USDOT number. This is federal rule 49 CFR 375.207, and it applies to interstate household goods movers and their agents.
"Your FMCSA-assigned U.S. DOT number must be displayed only in the following form in every advertisement: U.S. DOT No. (assigned number)." (eCFR: 49 CFR 375.207(c))
| Item | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | The name or trade name on your FMCSA USDOT document, or the name of the carrier whose authority the move runs under | "Blue River Moving LLC" |
| USDOT number | Required, in this exact form | "U.S. DOT No. 1234567" |
| Honest content | "only truthful, straightforward, and honest advertisements" | No "licensed in all 50 states" unless true |
Sources: eCFR: 49 CFR 375.207. The rule covers "all advertisements for all services", including add-on services such as packing that are part of the interstate move (same source).
Does my website or Google listing count as an ad?
Read the definition: it is broad, and online listings are named in it.
"Advertisement means any communication to the public in connection with an offer or sale of any interstate household goods transportation service. This includes written or electronic database listings of your name, address, and telephone number in an on-line database or displayed on an Internet website." (eCFR: 49 CFR 375.103)
So treat your website, search ads, social ads, directory profiles and printed flyers as ads. The definition excludes a plain name, address and phone listing in a telephone directory, but Yellow Pages advertising is included (same source).
Where to put it:
- Website: in the header or footer of every page, so it is on whichever page an ad sends people to.
- Search and social ads: in the ad text and on the landing page. The rule has no exception for short ads.
- Online profiles: in the description or business details fields the platform offers.
- Print and trucks: on every flyer, mailer and sign that offers interstate moves.
FMCSA also tells consumers to treat a website with "no information about their registration or insurance" as a red flag (FMCSA: Spot the Red Flags).
What else must a mover's website have?
A link to FMCSA's moving guide. "If you have a website, you are required to display prominently either a link to the DOT publication titled 'Ready to Move?—Tips for a Successful Interstate Move'" on the FMCSA website, or a true copy of it (eCFR: 49 CFR 375.213(e)). With a written estimate, you must also give customers "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move", as a copy or a link on your website (same source, paragraph (a)).
Do I also need the MC number?
It depends on whether you move the goods or arrange the move.
| You are | USDOT number in ads | MC number in ads | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interstate mover (carrier) | Required | Not required by 375.207 | Name as registered |
| Household goods broker | Required | Required | Physical address; broker status statement |
Brokers have their own rule. They must prominently show "your U.S. DOT registration number(s) and MC license number issued by the FMCSA" in ads and on the website homepage, plus their street address, city and state (eCFR: 49 CFR 371.107). They must also state their broker status and that they won't move the goods but will arrange for an FMCSA-authorized mover to do it, and may only show the names or logos of movers they have a written agreement with (same source).
The MC number may go away. As of its April 16, 2026 update, FMCSA says:
"FMCSA has proposed no longer assigning MC Numbers. Consistent with statutory requirements, the USDOT Number would become the sole identifier for all FMCSA registrants." (FMCSA: Motus USDOT Number Suffixes)
The same page says this is under consideration, will go through a proposed rule open for comment, and will not take effect with the first release of the new registration system. Until a final rule changes it, the broker rule above still names the MC number.
Local moves and Canada
Part 375 applies "only when you transport household goods for individual shippers by motor vehicle in interstate commerce" (eCFR: 49 CFR 375.101). A mover doing only in-state moves is outside this federal ad rule; check your state's rules for in-state movers.
These are US federal rules. A move between a US state and a place outside the US, such as Canada, is interstate commerce (eCFR: 49 CFR 390.5), so ads for US–Canada moves fall under them. Moves within Canada don't; check your province's rules.
Example
Local mover adding long-distance moves
A mover that has only done in-state jobs starts offering interstate moves. Every page of the website gets "Blue River Moving LLC, U.S. DOT No. 1234567" in the footer, plus a link to FMCSA's "Ready to Move?" brochure. The Google Ads landing page for "long distance movers" shows the same line near the quote form.
Broker running Facebook ads
A broker's ad says "Cross-country moves from $1,500". The ad and homepage show its USDOT and MC numbers, its street address, and a plain statement that it arranges the move with an FMCSA-authorized mover and doesn't move goods itself.
Different for you?
- Your state license number in ads too: Contractor license number in ads.
- Building the page your ads land on: Landing page for Google Ads.
- No public office address: Service-area business on Google.
- Fake movers taking your calls: Report fake Google Business listings.
- A website that carries every required line by default: Website.