How to Start a Moving Company in Illinois: The ICC Household Goods License

Starting a household goods moving company in Illinois requires a household goods license from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), state business registration, and strict compliance with tariff and operational rules. The process is straightforward for sole proprietors but requires legal representation for other business structures. This guide walks through each step of obtaining household goods carrier authority in Illinois.

What You Need to Know About ICC Household Goods Authority

The ICC licenses household goods carriers (movers) that move household goods for hire within Illinois. Moves that cross state lines need separate federal authority from the FMCSA. This is separate from your Illinois business registration and applies whether you are operating as an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation.

The application process includes a $900 filing fee, a mandatory fitness hearing (where the ICC determines if you are fit to operate), a required seminar and test, and ongoing compliance with the ICC's tariff rules (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1225). Interstate operations also require FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) household goods (HHG) authority.

Prerequisites and Materials You Will Need

Before you apply for ICC household goods authority, gather the following:

• Business entity registration: An Illinois LLC or corporation registered with the Illinois Secretary of State, or a sole proprietorship. If you operate as an LLC or corporation, you will need an attorney to represent you at the fitness hearing.
• Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN): Obtain a free EIN from the IRS at irs.gov/ein. You can apply online and receive your number immediately.
• Insurance documentation: Proof of commercial general liability insurance and cargo insurance. Confirm the ICC's current insurance requirements for household goods carriers before filing.
• Vehicle documentation: Title and registration for each truck or van you will use. Vehicles must meet Department of Transportation safety standards.
• Operating address: A physical business address in Illinois where the ICC can reach you by mail. A P.O. Box alone is not sufficient.
• Tariff: A published list of your services and prices, filed with the ICC under 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1225.
• Legal representation (if applicable): If your business is not a sole proprietorship, hire an attorney licensed to practice before the ICC. Sole proprietors can represent themselves.

Step-by-Step: Getting Your ICC Household Goods License

Step 1: Register Your Business with Illinois

Before applying to the ICC, register your moving company with the Illinois Secretary of State. You can form an LLC or corporation online through the Secretary of State's business filing portal at apps.ilsos.gov.

LLC formation costs $150 (standard 10 business day filing) or $250 for 24 hour service. Corporation formation also costs $150. Once registered, you will receive Articles of Organization or Incorporation and a formal business registration number. Save this documentation; you will need it for your ICC application.

Step 2: Obtain Your EIN and Insurance

Apply for an EIN online at the IRS website (no fee). Have your EIN ready before moving forward. Simultaneously, work with an insurance broker to secure commercial general liability coverage and cargo insurance. The ICC requires proof of insurance but does not set minimums; confirm what federal and state law require with your broker.

Step 3: Download and Complete the ICC HHG-1 Application

The ICC Form HHG-1 is the Application for Household Goods Authority within Illinois. Download the form and the Applicant's Handbook from the Illinois Commerce Commission website at icc.illinois.gov. The form asks for your business structure, operating history, insurance details, and vehicle information.

Complete all fields accurately. Incomplete applications will be returned. If you are a sole proprietor, you can sign the form yourself. If your business is an LLC or corporation, you will need an attorney for the hearing.

Step 4: File with the ICC and Pay the $900 Fee

Submit your completed HHG-1 application to the ICC along with:

• The non-refundable $900 filing fee (confirm current payment methods on the ICC website)
• Proof of insurance
• A proposed tariff book (your rate schedule and terms of service)
• Your EIN letter from the IRS

File through the ICC Transportation Portal or at an ICC office in Springfield, Chicago, or Des Plaines.

Step 5: Attend the Mandatory Household Goods Seminar

The ICC requires all new household goods carriers to complete a mandatory seminar before the fitness hearing. Confirm the seminar schedule, format, and location on the ICC website.

Ask the ICC when the seminar must be completed relative to your filing and hearing.

Step 6: Pass the ICC Household Goods Test

After the seminar, you take a test covering the material. Confirm the test format, passing score, and retake rules with the ICC when you register for the seminar.

Step 7: Appear at Your Fitness Hearing

The ICC schedules an oral hearing to determine if you are fit to operate as a household goods carrier. This hearing is mandatory and cannot be waived. At the hearing, you (if a sole proprietor) or your attorney (if an LLC or corporation) must demonstrate your fitness to operate safely and lawfully.

Fitness criteria include adequate insurance, financial stability, safe vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications, and knowledge of federal regulations. The ICC examiner will ask questions about your operating plan, safety procedures, and compliance history. Prepare to discuss your business model, target market, and how you will comply with the ICC's tariff and record-keeping rules.

If you are not a sole proprietor, retaining an attorney for this hearing is not optional; it is a practical necessity. The hearing is formal and adversarial. An attorney who regularly represents carriers before the ICC can present your case persuasively.

Step 8: Order Cab Cards and Apply for FMCSA Number

If the ICC approves your application, you receive an Illinois household goods license. Order an ICC cab card for each vehicle you operate. Cab cards cost $37.50 per vehicle plus a $15 order processing fee. Order these from the ICC.

Simultaneously, register with FMCSA for your USDOT number and HHG (Household Goods) authority if you operate interstate. This is a separate process from the ICC, and FMCSA charges a fee for operating authority. Register at fmcsa.dot.gov/registration.

Costs at a Glance

Item	Cost
ICC application filing fee	$900
Illinois LLC/corporation registration	$150 to $250
EIN (IRS)	Free
Cab cards (per vehicle)	$37.50 + $15 processing
Mandatory seminar	Confirm with ICC
Attorney fees (if not sole proprietor)	Varies by attorney
Insurance (annual)	Quote from broker

Note: The seminar is run by the ICC. Confirm any current cost when you register.

Timeline: How Long Does This Take?

Timing depends on hearing scheduling and any deficiencies in your application, so ask the ICC for current timelines and build in a cushion.

Some operators complete the seminar before filing to accelerate the timeline. Others file first and attend the seminar during the waiting period before the hearing.

Annual Compliance: What Happens After Approval

Once approved, you must file an annual report with the ICC. The report is due by May 15 each year. You must maintain your insurance and keep your tariff current.

Non-compliance can result in fines, suspension, or revocation of your authority. Take these obligations seriously.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incomplete insurance: Some applicants underestimate insurance requirements. Confirm minimum federal and state requirements with your broker before you apply.
• No published tariff: You must have a written tariff (rate schedule) filed with the ICC. Do not operate without one, even temporarily.
• Missing the seminar: Some applicants skip the mandatory seminar, believing they can take the test without it. The hearing cannot proceed until you have completed the seminar and passed the test.
• Sole proprietor representing themselves at a complex hearing: Even sole proprietors benefit from an attorney's guidance, especially if your application raises questions. Consider at least a consultation.
• Ignoring annual filing deadlines: Missing the May 15 annual report deadline can put your license at risk. Use a calendar reminder and plan to file by May 1 each year.
• Operating vehicles that do not meet safety standards: Keep every vehicle maintained and confirm which safety inspections apply to your trucks before you operate.

When to Hire Professional Help

If your business is structured as an LLC or corporation, hire an attorney licensed to represent carriers before the ICC. This is not negotiable; the ICC requires it. For sole proprietors, legal representation is optional but strongly recommended if your application is complex or if you have any prior regulatory violations.

Simultaneously, work with a CPA or tax professional on sales tax registration, income tax obligations, and payroll if you hire employees. Illinois sales tax applies to sales of goods, not to moving services; confirm your registration requirements (such as payroll withholding) with the Illinois Department of Revenue at tax.illinois.gov.

Expected Results and What's Next

Upon approval, you will have:

• An ICC household goods license that authorizes you to move household goods within Illinois
• Cab cards for each vehicle in your fleet
• Authority to operate interstate (if you applied for FMCSA HHG authority)
• Legal permission to charge customers and advertise your moving services

Your business is now licensed under Illinois household goods rules. Market your services, build your customer base, and maintain your compliance obligations carefully. Keep your insurance current, file your annual report on time, and update your tariff if your rates or terms change.

Resources

• Illinois Commerce Commission: icc.illinois.gov (HHG-1 application, seminar and test, tariff rules)
• FMCSA: fmcsa.dot.gov (interstate household goods authority, USDOT registration)
• Illinois Secretary of State: ilsos.gov/departments/business-services.html (business registration)
• Illinois Department of Revenue: tax.illinois.gov (sales tax and business tax requirements)
• U.S. Small Business Administration Illinois: sba.gov/district/illinois (free business counseling and resources)

Disclaimer

This article is informational only and does not constitute legal, tax, or regulatory advice. ICC requirements and fees change periodically; verify all current rules, fees, and timelines with the FMCSA and ICC before submitting your application. The specific costs and procedures described here are based on ICC rules current as of October 2026 and should be confirmed with the agencies before you proceed. For complex business structures or regulatory questions, consult a licensed attorney and a CPA with experience in motor carrier operations.