Check the DOT number for both the van line and the local mover. (For those who don't know, a van line is like a franchisor, and the agents are like its franchisees in major markets around the country -- see this article for more background on the moving industry.) 

If you don’t know the local agent’s DOT number, ask them for it, or search for them by name on the FMCSA Website or the ProtectYourMove.gov Website. (Both Websites use the same database, but ProtectYourMove.gov is just moving companies, and a little easier to navigate.)
                                                                                                                                                                              
Here’s how all this works.

If a van line agent is moving a customer between states (interstate), the move is likely under the van line’s authority. So the number you see on the bill of lading is likely to be the van line’s DOT number, not the moving company’s. Transporting goods under the van line’s authority allows the agent to draw on the van line’s large fleet of vehicles, giving it greater flexibility in choosing routes and being more specific with delivery dates.

However, if you’re using the agent to make a local or in-state move, the moving company will be making that move under its own DOT number.

So what’s the rub?

Very little. Whether the move is made under the van line’s number, or the agent’s number, you shouldn’t see any difference in terms of quality. In fact, the agent is generally motivated to provide solid service for all its moves because the van line can (and does) kick out agents that are poor performers.

So why did I say earlier to check out the DOT info for both the van line and its agent?

Because you might not know under whose authority the move is being made. And frankly, if you’re already taking the initiative to check out licensing information, you might as well check both.