--- title: What Is a Moving Broker? Moving Glossary | O'Brien's url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/moving-broker/ 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/) - Moving broker # What is a moving broker? A moving broker is a person who, for compensation, arranges or offers to arrange transportation of property by an authorized motor carrier. The definition sits in 49 CFR 371.2, which separates brokers from the carriers and bona fide agents who actually move shipments. 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/) A broker sells the move and a carrier performs it. Many customers deal with both without realizing they are two companies. The difference affects who gives the estimate, who loads the truck and who answers for a damaged item. ## The legal definition Part 371 says a broker arranges the transportation of property by an authorized motor carrier. Motor carriers, their employees and their bona fide agents are not brokers when they arrange shipments they are authorized to transport and have legally bound themselves to carry. The federal transportation statute uses the same idea: a broker is a person, other than a motor carrier or an employee or agent of one, who sells or arranges transportation for compensation. ## Rules for broker estimates Section 375.409 allows a household goods broker to provide estimates only under a written agreement with the carrier that adopts the broker's estimate as the carrier's own. The carrier must then meet every Part 375 estimate requirement, including the cap of 110 percent of a non-binding estimate at delivery. Under 371.111, a broker must also give shippers the two FMCSA consumer booklets or link to them on its website. ## How to tell which you are talking to Ask who will load the truck and whose U.S. DOT number is on the estimate. A carrier answers with its own crew, its own number and an in-home or video survey. A broker will name another company for the work. O'Brien's is a household goods carrier: its own estimator surveys the home, its crews pack and load, and its credentials are U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375 and Nevada CPCN 1070. The full comparison is in [mover vs moving broker](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/carrier-vs-broker/). ## Questions to ask any company - Whose crew will come to my home? - Whose U.S. DOT and MC number are on the estimate? - Is the estimate written and based on a survey? - Who handles a claim? Answers you can verify on the FMCSA record are better than answers you only hear on the phone. ## A note on reading estimates Whichever company writes the estimate, the document should name the carrier that will perform the move. If the carrier named is a different business from the one you spoke with, ask for the carrier's U.S. DOT number and look it up before you sign. The answer is public. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 371.2 (definitions)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-371/subpart-A/section-371.2) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.409 (broker estimates)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-D/section-375.409) - [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/) - [Booking agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/booking-agent/) - [Mover vs moving broker: how to tell](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/carrier-vs-broker/) - [Household goods carrier](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/household-goods-carrier/) Moving glossary ## Read next - [Dish pack](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/dish-pack/) - [Crating](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/crating/) - [Vault storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/vault-storage/) - [Personally procured move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/personally-procured-move/) - [Non temporary storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/non-temporary-storage/) - [Expedited service](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/expedited-service/) - [Guaranteed pickup and delivery](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/guaranteed-pickup-and-delivery/) - [Third party services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/third-party-services/) 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/). ### Are brokers legal? Yes. Brokers register with FMCSA and operate under rules in Parts 371 and 375. The point is to know which role each company plays. ### Is a booking agent a broker? A bona fide agent of a carrier, working under the carrier's direction, is not a broker under 49 CFR 371.2. See the booking agent entry for how a van line network uses agents. ## 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) A Ami M. February 7, 2023 O'Brien's is great! They made my move easy. They were responsive, professional and accommodating. Trusting them with my move was one less thing I had to worry about. ### Owner's reply Ami thank you so much! It was a pleasure to assist you with your move and knowing that we were able to lessen any stress you may have had with the moving process, makes us so happy!! If you need anything in the future please let us know. M Mike K. August 30, 2019 The best customer service ever! ### Owner's reply Thanks Mike we sincerely appreciate you and your business! P Patrick R. September 19, 2026 The two gentlemen that helped me move today were very Helpful and professional! ## 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