When you start planning a move, one of the first questions that actually matters — even if you haven't thought to ask it yet — is whether your move is intrastate or interstate. It sounds like legal jargon, but the distinction has real consequences for who can legally move you, how your belongings are protected, and which agency has oversight if something goes wrong.
The Simple Definitions
An intrastate move stays entirely within one state. If you're moving from Atlanta to Savannah, Marietta to Alpharetta, or Decatur to Duluth, that's intrastate. Everything — the truck, the crew, the start, and the destination — remains inside Georgia.
An interstate move crosses at least one state line. Atlanta to Charlotte, Roswell to Nashville, Augusta to Columbia — the moment your belongings leave Georgia's borders, your move is interstate, and an entirely different regulatory framework kicks in.
Why the Distinction Matters for Licensing
Georgia regulates intrastate movers through the Georgia Department of Public Safety. Any company legally moving households within the state must hold a Georgia HHG (Household Goods) license. This license requires proof of insurance, a valid USDOT number, and compliance with state consumer-protection rules. If a company can't show you their HHG license number, they're not supposed to be moving you inside Georgia.
Interstate moves fall under federal authority — specifically the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These movers must be registered with FMCSA, hold an active USDOT number, and have interstate operating authority (MC number). They're also required to offer you valuation coverage options and follow federal rules around binding and non-binding estimates.
Intrastate moves: regulated by Georgia DPS, requires GA HHG license · Interstate moves: regulated by FMCSA, requires USDOT number and MC authority · A company doing both must hold both sets of credentials · You can verify Georgia licenses at the DPS website and FMCSA credentials at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
How It Affects Your Quote and Your Rights
For intrastate moves in Georgia, movers must provide a written estimate and are bound by specific state rules on how charges are calculated. For interstate moves, federal law gives you the right to request a binding estimate — meaning the final price can't exceed what was quoted — and requires the mover to release your goods once you pay that amount.
If a dispute arises on an intrastate move, Georgia DPS handles complaints. If it's interstate and the company is unresponsive, FMCSA and the Better Business Bureau are your go-to resources. Knowing which lane your move falls into tells you exactly where to turn if something goes sideways.
What to Ask Your Mover Before Signing Anything
Before you commit, confirm that your mover holds the right credentials for your move type. If you're staying in Georgia, ask for their GA HHG license number. If you're crossing state lines, ask for their USDOT number and MC number and verify both on the FMCSA website. A legitimate company will hand that information over without hesitation.
Bears Moving Co. holds Georgia HHG license #9320 and maintains all required credentials for the moves we serve in the Atlanta metro area. We're transparent about what we're licensed to do — and we'll tell you straight if a move falls outside our current scope.
Call us: (404) 514-4814 · Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm · Licensed GA HHG #9320 · BBB A+