--- title: What Is a Hauling Agent? Moving Glossary | O'Brien's url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/hauling-agent/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - Hauling agent # What is a hauling agent? A hauling agent is the agent whose crew and truck physically carry your shipment for the carrier that holds the operating authority. Federal rule 49 CFR 375.205 lets a household goods carrier work through agents under written agreements, and the carrier answers for them. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) The phrase hauling agent comes from how national moving networks are organized, not from a definition in the federal rule book. Part 375 speaks of agents in general and gives the customer the tools to see who is involved in a shipment. Knowing the role helps you read an estimate that names more than one company. ## Where the term comes from Section 375.205 of the federal household goods rules says a carrier may have agents, and it names two kinds. A prime agent provides a transportation service for the carrier, including selling or arranging it. An emergency or temporary agent provides origin or destination services but does not sell or arrange the transportation. Moving companies in a network add their own working labels, such as origin agent, booking agent, destination agent and hauling agent, to say who does which part of one shipment. The hauling agent is the label for the part of the job that moves the load over the road. On a long-distance move that is the leg between the origin city and the destination city. On a short move inside one metro area the same company often does every part, so the label rarely comes up. ## How the rule treats agents Section 375.103 defines the words you and your in Part 375 as a household goods motor carrier and its household goods agents. In plain terms, the requirements for estimates, weighing, the bill of lading and delivery apply to the agent doing the work just as they apply to the carrier. A hauling agent is not outside those rules. Section 375.505(b)(2) adds a practical safeguard. The bill of lading must list the names, telephone numbers, addresses and U.S. DOT numbers of any motor carriers, when known, who will take part in moving the shipment. That is where a customer sees the companies behind the truck. ## What it means on a move with O'Brien's O'Brien's Moving & Storage has been a Bekins Van Lines agent since 1955. On a move leaving Northern Nevada, the Sparks office handles the estimate, the packing, storage if you need it and the loading, and the shipment is carried by the Bekins network. On a move coming to Nevada, you book with O'Brien's and the move is coordinated from your origin through the Bekins network, then delivered, unpacked and stored in Sparks. Read more about how that works on [how an interstate move works with a Bekins agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/how-interstate-moves-work/) and on the page about [what being a Bekins agent means](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/bekins-agent/). Your written estimate sets the delivery window. ## What to check in your paperwork - The carrier name and U.S. DOT number printed on the estimate - The list of carriers on the bill of lading - The agreed pickup and delivery dates or periods - The phone number you call if plans change If a name on the paperwork is unfamiliar, ask the estimator who it is and what part of the move that company handles. A clear answer before you sign is part of a good estimate. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.205 (agents)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-B/subject-group-ECFR26b58a956b3b018/section-375.205) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.103 (definitions)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-A/section-375.103) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - [Van line](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/van-line/) - [Origin agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/origin-agent/) - [Bekins Van Lines agent since 1955: what that means for your move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/bekins-agent/) Moving glossary ## Read next - [Van line](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/van-line/) - [Cube sheet](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/cube-sheet/) - [Delivery spread](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/delivery-spread/) - [Pickup spread](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/pickup-spread/) - [Tariff](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/tariff/) - [Weight ticket](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/weight-ticket/) - [Reweigh](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/reweigh/) - [Usdot number](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/usdot-number/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Does the hauling agent have to hold its own license? A carrier that moves household goods across state lines needs federal authority. Section 375.205 requires written agent agreements, and the bill of lading lists participating carriers with their U.S. DOT numbers when they are known. You can look up any U.S. DOT number on the FMCSA website. ### Can I ask who will haul my shipment? Yes. Ask your estimator, and compare the answer with the bill of lading you receive at loading. Both should name the carriers involved. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! E Edward G. September 14, 2025 James and the crew were terrific. N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070