Household Goods Carrier

Type of Operation: Household Goods Carrier

Description:

A person who transports only household goods.

Household Goods - personal effects and property used or to be used in a dwelling, when a part of the equipment or supplies of such dwelling, and similar property if the transportation of such effects or property is (i) arranged and paid for by the householder, including transportation of the property from a factory or store when the property is purchased by the householder with intent to use it in his dwelling or (ii) arranged and paid for by another party.

Authority Document:

Certificate

Operating Requirements:

• This certificate authorizes your operations only in Virginia.
• You must have written approval from DMV to transfer this type of certificate.
• You are limited to transporting household goods as defined above.
• For deliveries over 30 miles, you must charge the same rates as listed in the tariff filed with DMV.
• Before you can change your rates, you must
  • notify DMV at least 30 days before you wish to make the change, and
  • have received written approval from DMV.
• You or your agent may publish a joint tariff with another carrier(s) if a power of attorney or notice of concurrence is filed with DMV. You must send written notification to DMV, at least 60 days in advance, before you can revoke the power of attorney or notice of concurrence.
• A copy of the bill of lading must be carried when you are transporting the household goods.
• You must maintain a copy of the bill of lading at your place of business for at least three years.
• If you receive a written claim of loss or damage, you must:
  • Write on the claim the date you received it.
  • Send to the person, within 30 days, a written acknowledgement of receipt of the claim.
  • Within 120 days:
    • pay the claim, or
    • send written notification that you decline to pay the claim, or
    • make, in writing, a firm compromise settlement offer.
• If the claim is not processed or disposed of within the 120 days, send to the person, every 30 days, a written report of the status of the claim and the reasons for the delay.
• You may not, by contract or otherwise, shorten the length of time a person has for filing a claim to less that 30 days or shorten the time for filing a suit to less than two years.

Tariff and Time Schedule Requirements:

Tariff: You must file a tariff that includes all of your rates and any rules, policies or guidelines you will impose on your customers (example: refund policy). See form OA450, Sample Tariff for Household Goods Carriers.

Time Schedule: None

Insurance Requirements:

$750,000 Bodily Injury and Property Damage
$50,000 Cargo

Bond Requirements:

You must keep a $50,000 surety bond or letter of credit on file with DMV's Motor Carrier Services for five years from the date your operating authority certificate is issued. (See Household Goods Carrier Bond, form OA436 or the property irrevocable letter of credit, form OA456.)

Registration and License Plate Requirements:

Vehicle Registration:
Must be registered as for-hire

Operating Authority Registration:

• IRP Vehicles - Obtain operating authority decals as proof of operating authority registration
• All Other Vehicles - The operating authority information will be displayed on the vehicle registration card when the for-hire license plates are issued.

Fees:
$50 filing fee
$10 Operating Authority Registration fee per vehicle
$3 for a duplicate certificate

Miscellaneous Requirements:
Address Change - You must report any new address to DMV's Motor Carriers Services within 30 days.

Discontinuing Service - If you go out of business or stop providing the service authorized, you must notify DMV in writing within 30 days.