KY · In-state moves
Kentucky moving company rules
A mover hauling household goods from one Kentucky address to another must hold a household goods certificate from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Motor Carriers. The carrier must file a tariff of its rates and policies, keep liability and cargo insurance on file, and run national criminal background checks on workers who drive or enter homes. The Cabinet also takes consumer complaints about in-state movers.
| In-state oversight | State license compare states |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Department of Vehicle Regulation, Division of Motor Carriers |
| License lookup | Kentucky Intrastate Household Goods Certificate (Household Goods Authority) lookup Search by: Legal name, DBA name, or certificate number in the Cabinet's HHG Carrier Listing (PDF linked from the Household Goods page) |
| Business registration | Kentucky Secretary of State business entity search |
Estimates
Under 601 KAR 1:080, a carrier that gives an estimate must base it on a visual inspection of the goods, use the form the Cabinet specifies, give the shipper the original or a legible copy, and keep a copy. The shipper may not be asked to sign the estimate form.
Liability for loss or damage
601 KAR 1:080 bars a household goods carrier from contracting out of its common-law liability for the goods. Each carrier's filed tariff must spell out its liability, valuation and claims policies.
Insurance or bond
KRS 281.655 requires a household goods carrier to keep cargo insurance or a bond on file at the amounts federal rules set for interstate household goods movers (49 CFR 387.303(c)), plus liability coverage of at least $100,000 per person, $300,000 per incident and $50,000 property damage for vehicles of 18,000 lbs. or less ($600,000 per incident above that weight). Operating rights end immediately if the coverage is canceled.
Where to complain
Other Kentucky rules to know
- Each mover must file a tariff listing its rates, packing charges, policies and the charge for added coverage; the Cabinet posts notice of proposed tariffs, which can be protested before final approval.
- Applicants must run a nationwide criminal background check on each owner, employee, contractor or agent who drives a vehicle or enters a home or storage facility for the move.
- Every vehicle used under the certificate must be qualified with the Division of Motor Carriers.
- Complaints filed with the Cabinet may be shared with the mover and are open to public view on request under the state Open Records Act.
- Moves that cross the state line fall under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, not the Cabinet.
Moving into or out of Kentucky? A move that crosses a state line follows federal rules instead. Check an interstate mover.
Sources
- Household Goods , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
- HHG Carrier Listing , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
- TC 95-629 Household Goods Authority Application , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
- TC 95-622 Consumer Complaint , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
- 601 KAR 1:080 Household goods carriers , Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
- KRS 281.655 Bonds or insurance policies , Kentucky General Assembly
- 49 CFR 387.303 Minimum limits , U.S. Government Publishing Office (eCFR)
- Consumer Complaints , Kentucky Office of the Attorney General
- Business Entity Search , Kentucky Secretary of State