--- title: Shuttle Service Meaning | Moving Glossary | O'Brien's url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/shuttle-service/ 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/) - Shuttle service # What is shuttle service? Shuttle service uses a smaller vehicle to carry your goods between your home and the large moving truck when the big truck cannot reach the door. The charge falls under impracticable operations, and at delivery it is capped at 15 percent of the other charges due. 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/) Some addresses simply cannot take a full-size moving trailer: a narrow mountain road, a low bridge, a dense block with no turning room. The answer is a second, smaller truck that shuttles loads back and forth to the big one. ## Why a shuttle is used A road-haul trailer needs room to approach and room to turn. Where the road does not allow it, the crew parks the large unit at the nearest safe place and loads a smaller truck at your door. The smaller truck makes one trip after another, transferring goods until the load is complete. At delivery the process runs in reverse, which adds time and labor to both ends of a move. ## The federal frame FMCSA's booklet defines impracticable operations as conditions that make it physically impossible to pick up or deliver with normal road-haul equipment, so specialized equipment or added labor is needed. A mover may require additional charges for such services even if you did not request them, and the tariff names the services involved. At delivery, the mover may collect impracticable operations charges only up to 15 percent of all other charges due, and bills the rest afterward. ## What to tell your estimator Photos and a map pin help, and a conversation about access is more useful than a guess. - Street width, grade and turning room near the house - Overhead lines, low branches or bridges on the way in - Gates, HOA rules and truck length limits - Seasonal road limits at higher elevations ## Shuttles in the O'Brien's service area Northern Nevada and the Sierra have plenty of steep and narrow approaches, from Tahoe shoreline lanes to older Reno blocks. The O'Brien's estimator looks at the access during the in-home visit and puts any shuttle on the itemized estimate, so the charge is part of the number you see first. If a shuttle looks likely, ask whether closer truck parking can be arranged. Call 775-359-6683, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.405](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-D/section-375.405) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.407](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-D/section-375.407) - [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/) - [Long carry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/long-carry/) - [Accessorial charges](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/accessorial-charges/) - [Elevator carry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/elevator-carry/) Moving glossary ## Read next - [Flight charge](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/flight-charge/) - [Origin agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/origin-agent/) - [Destination agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/destination-agent/) - [Booking agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/booking-agent/) - [Hauling agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/hauling-agent/) - [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/) 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/). ### Do I pay for a shuttle if I did not ask for one? Impracticable operations can be charged even if you did not request them, which is why the access conversation matters at the estimate. ### How do I know a shuttle is needed? The estimator assesses the street and the driveway. Telling the estimator about tight spots helps. ### Does a shuttle slow the move down? It adds handling steps, so the written plan and schedule should reflect it. ## 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) M Michelle C. August 28, 2024 Extremely happy with the moving experience. The moving team showed up on time, friendly and polite. They did a wonderful job moving our boxes and furniture to the new location. We moved a three bedroom home and I could not be more pleased with the employees who assisted with the move. Highly recommend O'Brien moving for your move. ### Owner's reply Michelle, thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. We are so happy to hear about the move experience you had with our company and glad to know we met your expectations! It means a lot to us to know that. Thank you for choosing us as your moving partner. S Sonia P. August 4, 2023 Talk about organized people. I peeked in the truck about an hour into the job and was amazed at how well organized it was and how many of my things had protective coverings. Our bed is a mechanical one and a nightmare to us, but these guys had no issue with it at all. Although I have no desire to ever move again--but if I did, I would be calling these guys for sure!!! J Jennifer C. August 3, 2023 Customer service, packers, and loaders were very responsive, professional, and did an overall great job. ## 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