CALIFORNIA HOUSEHOLD MOVERS' EXAM
Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
Complete Practice Exam: 150+ Questions with Answers &
Rationales
1. Which state agency currently regulates household movers conducting
intrastate moves in California?
• A. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
• B. Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) .✅ Correct
Answer
• C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
• D. California Highway Patrol (CHP)
Rationale: As of July 1, 2018, regulatory authority for household movers was
transferred from the CPUC to the Bureau of Household Goods and Services
(BHGS) within the Department of Consumer Affairs.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
All intrastate household movers must now be licensed by BHGS.
www.instagram.com
2. A "Household Mover" under California law is defined as a business that:
• A. Transports new furniture from manufacturers to retailers
• B. Is paid to transport used household goods and personal effects by motor
vehicle over public highways in California.✅ Correct Answer
• C. Provides only packing services without transportation
• D. Moves commercial office equipment exclusively
,Rationale: Per BPC § 19225.5(h), a "household mover" includes every corporation
or person engaged in the transportation for compensation of used household
goods and personal effects by motor vehicle over any public highway in California.
[[BHGS Law Book]]
3. Which type of move requires a BHGS Household Mover Permit?
• A. Interstate moves only (into or out of California)
• B. Intrastate moves (entirely within California).✅ Correct Answer
• C. International moves only
• D. Moves of new household goods only
Rationale: A General Household Mover Permit from BHGS is required for
businesses that move household goods entirely within California.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
Interstate-only movers require a different Interstate Mover License and FMCSA
authority.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
4. What is the minimum passing score for the BHGS Household Mover written
examination?
• A. 60%
• B. 65%
• C. 70%.✅ Correct Answer
• D. 75%
Rationale: Applicants must pass a written examination on Maximum Rate Tariff 4
with a minimum score of 70% to obtain a household mover permit.
www.mx.trustedmovepro.com
,bhgs.dca.ca.gov
5. The BHGS written examination primarily tests knowledge of:
• A. Federal motor carrier safety regulations
• B. Maximum Rate Tariff 4 (Max 4) rules and regulations.✅ Correct
Answer
• C. California vehicle code only
• D. General business management principles
Rationale: The exam covers the maximum rates, rules, and regulations contained
in Maximum Rate Tariff 4 ("Max 4") and Distance Table 8 for movers conducting
statewide moves.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
6. Who is eligible to take the Max 4 examination for a corporate applicant?
• A. Only the CEO of the corporation
• B. Any employee of the company
• C. A partner, responsible managing officer, or employee working at least 32
hours/week.✅ Correct Answer
• D. Only licensed attorneys
Rationale: For corporations or other business organizations, the exam may be
taken by a partner, the responsible managing officer, or an employee who works
for the firm at least 32 hours per week.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
7. If an applicant fails the Max 4 examination, when may they retake it?
• A. Immediately
, • B. After 7 calendar days
• C. After 30 calendar days.✅ Correct Answer
• D. After 90 calendar days
Rationale: By law, an applicant who fails the examination must wait at least 30
calendar days before retaking it.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
8. What is the application fee for a new Household Mover Permit?
• A. $250
• B. $500.✅ Correct Answer
• C. $750
• D. $1,000
Rationale: The filing fee for a household mover permit application is $500,
submitted to BHGS.
www.mx.trustedmovepro.com
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
9. Which of the following businesses is EXEMPT from requiring a BHGS
Household Mover Permit?
• A. A company that moves household goods between California cities
• B. A restoration company moving goods after flood damage
• C. A storage container company (e.g., PODS) where customers load/unload
their own containers.✅ Correct Answer
• D. A business advertising as a household mover
Rationale: Storage container companies are exempt if containers are loaded and
unloaded entirely by individuals other than company employees.
Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
Complete Practice Exam: 150+ Questions with Answers &
Rationales
1. Which state agency currently regulates household movers conducting
intrastate moves in California?
• A. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
• B. Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) .✅ Correct
Answer
• C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
• D. California Highway Patrol (CHP)
Rationale: As of July 1, 2018, regulatory authority for household movers was
transferred from the CPUC to the Bureau of Household Goods and Services
(BHGS) within the Department of Consumer Affairs.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
All intrastate household movers must now be licensed by BHGS.
www.instagram.com
2. A "Household Mover" under California law is defined as a business that:
• A. Transports new furniture from manufacturers to retailers
• B. Is paid to transport used household goods and personal effects by motor
vehicle over public highways in California.✅ Correct Answer
• C. Provides only packing services without transportation
• D. Moves commercial office equipment exclusively
,Rationale: Per BPC § 19225.5(h), a "household mover" includes every corporation
or person engaged in the transportation for compensation of used household
goods and personal effects by motor vehicle over any public highway in California.
[[BHGS Law Book]]
3. Which type of move requires a BHGS Household Mover Permit?
• A. Interstate moves only (into or out of California)
• B. Intrastate moves (entirely within California).✅ Correct Answer
• C. International moves only
• D. Moves of new household goods only
Rationale: A General Household Mover Permit from BHGS is required for
businesses that move household goods entirely within California.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
Interstate-only movers require a different Interstate Mover License and FMCSA
authority.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
4. What is the minimum passing score for the BHGS Household Mover written
examination?
• A. 60%
• B. 65%
• C. 70%.✅ Correct Answer
• D. 75%
Rationale: Applicants must pass a written examination on Maximum Rate Tariff 4
with a minimum score of 70% to obtain a household mover permit.
www.mx.trustedmovepro.com
,bhgs.dca.ca.gov
5. The BHGS written examination primarily tests knowledge of:
• A. Federal motor carrier safety regulations
• B. Maximum Rate Tariff 4 (Max 4) rules and regulations.✅ Correct
Answer
• C. California vehicle code only
• D. General business management principles
Rationale: The exam covers the maximum rates, rules, and regulations contained
in Maximum Rate Tariff 4 ("Max 4") and Distance Table 8 for movers conducting
statewide moves.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
6. Who is eligible to take the Max 4 examination for a corporate applicant?
• A. Only the CEO of the corporation
• B. Any employee of the company
• C. A partner, responsible managing officer, or employee working at least 32
hours/week.✅ Correct Answer
• D. Only licensed attorneys
Rationale: For corporations or other business organizations, the exam may be
taken by a partner, the responsible managing officer, or an employee who works
for the firm at least 32 hours per week.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
7. If an applicant fails the Max 4 examination, when may they retake it?
• A. Immediately
, • B. After 7 calendar days
• C. After 30 calendar days.✅ Correct Answer
• D. After 90 calendar days
Rationale: By law, an applicant who fails the examination must wait at least 30
calendar days before retaking it.
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
8. What is the application fee for a new Household Mover Permit?
• A. $250
• B. $500.✅ Correct Answer
• C. $750
• D. $1,000
Rationale: The filing fee for a household mover permit application is $500,
submitted to BHGS.
www.mx.trustedmovepro.com
bhgs.dca.ca.gov
9. Which of the following businesses is EXEMPT from requiring a BHGS
Household Mover Permit?
• A. A company that moves household goods between California cities
• B. A restoration company moving goods after flood damage
• C. A storage container company (e.g., PODS) where customers load/unload
their own containers.✅ Correct Answer
• D. A business advertising as a household mover
Rationale: Storage container companies are exempt if containers are loaded and
unloaded entirely by individuals other than company employees.
