The official roadmap
to starting a moving
company in Florida.
A verified guide sourced from Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
License type
Florida Mover Registration
Min. insurance
$25,000 cargo / $100,000 liability
Fee range
$300–$500/year
Timeline
3–8 weeks
How to get licensed
in Florida.
Register your business entity
File your LLC or corporation with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). An LLC costs $125 to file. Florida allows online filing at sunbiz.org and processing is typically 3-5 business days.
Agency: Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) · Visit website →
Obtain a federal EIN
Apply for your Employer Identification Number from the IRS at irs.gov/ein. Free and instant. Required before opening a business bank account.
Agency: IRS · Visit website →
Register with FDACS as a Florida Mover
Florida requires all intrastate household goods movers to register with FDACS under Chapter 507, Florida Statutes. You must have a valid certificate of registration before advertising or performing moves. Apply through the FDACS online portal.
Agency: Florida FDACS — Consumer Protection · Visit website →
Get your USDOT number
Required for vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR or any interstate operations. Register at FMCSA.dot.gov. Florida movers doing interstate work also need an MC number.
Agency: FMCSA · Visit website →
Secure required insurance
Florida requires a minimum of $25,000 cargo insurance and $100,000 liability per occurrence. Proof of insurance must be filed with FDACS before registration is approved. Commercial auto insurance is also required for all moving vehicles.
Agency: FDACS (insurance filing)
File your tariff with FDACS
Florida movers must file a tariff — your official rate schedule — with FDACS before operating. The tariff must be made available to customers upon request. This is a Florida-specific requirement that many new movers overlook.
Agency: FDACS · Visit website →
Obtain local business licenses
Most Florida counties and municipalities require a local business tax receipt (formerly called an occupational license). Contact your county tax collector's office for requirements and fees in your specific area.
Agency: County Tax Collector (varies by county)
What makes Florida unique.
Florida has some of the strongest consumer protection laws for movers in the US under Chapter 507, Florida Statutes. This includes strict rules on written estimates, binding vs. non-binding quotes, and delivery timelines. Read the statute carefully before operating.
Florida movers must provide customers with a written binding or non-binding estimate before the move. Non-binding estimates cannot exceed 125% of the original estimate on final billing.
Florida is one of the most competitive moving markets in the country — Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale are all high-volume markets with established competition.
Movers in Florida must display their FDACS registration number on all vehicles and in all advertising. Failure to display is a violation and can result in fines.
Florida has very high seasonal demand (particularly Oct-April for snowbirds moving south). Marketing before peak season is critical for new operators.
Florida moving company
questions answered.
Do I need a special license to move furniture in Florida?
Yes. Florida requires all household goods movers operating intrastate (within Florida) to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) under Chapter 507, Florida Statutes. You cannot legally advertise or perform moves without this registration.
How much does it cost to get a mover's license in Florida?
FDACS registration fees are typically $300-$500 per year depending on fleet size. You'll also need to budget for insurance (commercial auto, cargo, and general liability), your LLC filing ($125), and any local business tax receipts required by your county.
What are the insurance requirements for Florida movers?
Florida requires a minimum of $25,000 cargo insurance and $100,000 liability insurance per occurrence. These must be filed directly with FDACS. Most industry advisors recommend carrying higher limits, especially for full-service moves.
What is a moving tariff and do I need one in Florida?
A tariff is your official published rate schedule. Florida law requires all registered movers to file a tariff with FDACS and make it available to customers. It documents what you charge for labor, truck fees, packing, and any additional services. Without a filed tariff, you cannot legally operate.
Can I do interstate moves with a Florida mover registration?
Your Florida FDACS registration covers intrastate moves only. For interstate moves (crossing state lines), you need a USDOT number and MC authority from FMCSA. Both are federally issued and required in addition to your state registration.
What are the best markets for a new moving company in Florida?
Orlando and Tampa have strong year-round demand with growing populations. Miami is competitive but high-value. Jacksonville is considered an underserved market with less competition than South Florida. The I-4 corridor (Orlando-Tampa) is one of the highest-growth relocation corridors in the US.
Explore other states:
Licensed in Florida?
Now let’s get you found.
Getting licensed is step one. Step two is making sure customers in Florida can find you on Google when they’re ready to move.