California Household Movers
Practice Exam
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
Household Goods Carrier Regulatory Compliance Assessment
2026/2027 Edition
165 Questions | Original & Verified
Testing Time: 180–240 Minutes | Passing Score: 75–80%
CPUC/California Public Utilities Code–Aligned
,Table of Contents
Section 1: CPUC Licensing & Permit Requirements (Q1–18)
Section 2: Consumer Protection Regulations (Q19–36)
Section 3: Tariff Regulations (Q37–52)
Section 4: Liability & Insurance Requirements (Q53–70)
Section 5: Moving Operations & Documentation (Q71–82)
Section 6: Pricing & Payment Regulations (Q83–100)
Section 7: Safety & Operational Standards (Q101–116)
Section 8: Dispute Resolution & Enforcement (Q117–134)
Section 9: Special Regulations (Q135–148)
Section 10: Scenario-Based Compliance Decision-Making (Q149–165)
Answer Key Summary
,Section 1: CPUC Licensing & Permit Requirements (Q1–18)
1. Under California law, who must obtain a CPUC Permit to Operate (PSC license)?
A) Any carrier transporting household goods for compensation within California
B) Only carriers operating vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVW
C) Only interstate moving companies with a USDOT number
D) Any person who rents a truck for a personal move
Rationale: California Public Utilities Code requires every carrier transporting household goods for
compensation within the state to hold a valid PSC license issued by the CPUC. This applies regardless
of vehicle size and covers both intrastate and interstate carriers operating within California.
2. Which of the following is NOT a requirement when applying for a PSC license?
A) Proof of cargo and vehicle liability insurance
B) Filing of a tariff with the CPUC
C) A college degree in logistics or transportation
D) Proof of vehicle registration and driver qualifications
Rationale: PSC license applicants must demonstrate proof of insurance, filed tariffs, valid vehicle
registrations, and qualified drivers. No educational degree is required by the CPUC for a household
goods carrier permit.
3. Where must a carrier's PSC license number be displayed?
A) On all vehicles, advertising, estimates, and contracts
B) Only on the carrier's website and business cards
C) Only on the side of the moving truck
D) Only on filed tariff documents
Rationale: The CPUC requires that the PSC number appear on all motor vehicles used in the
operation, as well as on all advertising, estimates, contracts, and other consumer-facing documents.
Failure to display the number is a violation subject to penalties.
4. What distinguishes a registered broker from a licensed carrier in California?
A) Brokers must be registered with the CPUC but are not permitted to directly
transport household goods
B) Brokers are exempt from all CPUC regulations
C) Brokers may transport goods without insurance requirements
D) There is no distinction; brokers and carriers have identical requirements
Rationale: Brokers arrange transportation by connecting consumers with licensed carriers but may
not directly transport household goods themselves. They must register with the CPUC and are subject
to consumer protection requirements.
5. Which agency has regulatory authority over an intrastate move entirely within
California?
A) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
B) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
C) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
D) California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Rationale: The CPUC regulates intrastate household goods moves that begin and end within
California. The FMCSA regulates interstate moves that cross state lines, while the DMV handles
vehicle registration and driver licensing.
6. When must a carrier renew its PSC license, and what is required for renewal?
, A) Before expiration; must submit updated insurance proof and tariff filings
B) Automatically renewed every five years with no additional filing
C) Only when a consumer complaint has been resolved
D) After each move is completed, upon CPUC request
Rationale: PSC licenses must be renewed before their expiration date, and carriers must provide
current proof of insurance and an updated filed tariff. Operating with an expired permit is a
violation of the Public Utilities Code.
7. Which of the following is grounds for CPUC permit revocation?
A) Fraudulent practices, safety violations, insurance lapse, or unresolved consumer
complaints
B) Filing an amended tariff within the same calendar year
C) Operating with a temporary substitute vehicle for one day
D) Offering a seasonal discount to attract new customers
Rationale: The CPUC may revoke a PSC permit for cause including fraud, safety violations, failure to
maintain required insurance, and a pattern of unresolved consumer complaints. These actions
protect the public from unsafe or dishonest operators.
8. What is required for a carrier performing interstate moves that cross California's
borders?
A) A valid USDOT number issued by the FMCSA
B) Only a California PSC license
C) No additional registration beyond a business license
D) A special California interstate permit from the DMV
Rationale: Interstate household goods carriers must obtain a USDOT number from the FMCSA in
addition to any state-level permits. The USDOT number is a federal identifier required for
commercial motor vehicles operating across state lines.
9. Which CPUC General Order applies to household goods carriers in California?
A) General Order 172
B) General Order 66-A
C) General Order 101
D) General Order 200
Rationale: General Order 172 governs household goods carriers operating in California and outlines
requirements for permits, tariffs, insurance, and consumer protections. Carriers must comply with
all provisions of this order.
10. What is the key legal distinction between a carrier and a broker?
A) Carriers physically transport household goods; brokers arrange transportation but
do not transport goods directly
B) Carriers operate only within California; brokers operate only across state lines
C) Carriers set their own rates; brokers must use CPUC-mandated pricing
D) There is no distinction under California law
Rationale: A carrier is the entity that physically moves the household goods using its own employees
and equipment. A broker acts as an intermediary that arranges the move but does not perform the
actual transportation.
11. What is the minimum cargo insurance required for California household goods
carriers?
Practice Exam
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
Household Goods Carrier Regulatory Compliance Assessment
2026/2027 Edition
165 Questions | Original & Verified
Testing Time: 180–240 Minutes | Passing Score: 75–80%
CPUC/California Public Utilities Code–Aligned
,Table of Contents
Section 1: CPUC Licensing & Permit Requirements (Q1–18)
Section 2: Consumer Protection Regulations (Q19–36)
Section 3: Tariff Regulations (Q37–52)
Section 4: Liability & Insurance Requirements (Q53–70)
Section 5: Moving Operations & Documentation (Q71–82)
Section 6: Pricing & Payment Regulations (Q83–100)
Section 7: Safety & Operational Standards (Q101–116)
Section 8: Dispute Resolution & Enforcement (Q117–134)
Section 9: Special Regulations (Q135–148)
Section 10: Scenario-Based Compliance Decision-Making (Q149–165)
Answer Key Summary
,Section 1: CPUC Licensing & Permit Requirements (Q1–18)
1. Under California law, who must obtain a CPUC Permit to Operate (PSC license)?
A) Any carrier transporting household goods for compensation within California
B) Only carriers operating vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVW
C) Only interstate moving companies with a USDOT number
D) Any person who rents a truck for a personal move
Rationale: California Public Utilities Code requires every carrier transporting household goods for
compensation within the state to hold a valid PSC license issued by the CPUC. This applies regardless
of vehicle size and covers both intrastate and interstate carriers operating within California.
2. Which of the following is NOT a requirement when applying for a PSC license?
A) Proof of cargo and vehicle liability insurance
B) Filing of a tariff with the CPUC
C) A college degree in logistics or transportation
D) Proof of vehicle registration and driver qualifications
Rationale: PSC license applicants must demonstrate proof of insurance, filed tariffs, valid vehicle
registrations, and qualified drivers. No educational degree is required by the CPUC for a household
goods carrier permit.
3. Where must a carrier's PSC license number be displayed?
A) On all vehicles, advertising, estimates, and contracts
B) Only on the carrier's website and business cards
C) Only on the side of the moving truck
D) Only on filed tariff documents
Rationale: The CPUC requires that the PSC number appear on all motor vehicles used in the
operation, as well as on all advertising, estimates, contracts, and other consumer-facing documents.
Failure to display the number is a violation subject to penalties.
4. What distinguishes a registered broker from a licensed carrier in California?
A) Brokers must be registered with the CPUC but are not permitted to directly
transport household goods
B) Brokers are exempt from all CPUC regulations
C) Brokers may transport goods without insurance requirements
D) There is no distinction; brokers and carriers have identical requirements
Rationale: Brokers arrange transportation by connecting consumers with licensed carriers but may
not directly transport household goods themselves. They must register with the CPUC and are subject
to consumer protection requirements.
5. Which agency has regulatory authority over an intrastate move entirely within
California?
A) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
B) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
C) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
D) California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Rationale: The CPUC regulates intrastate household goods moves that begin and end within
California. The FMCSA regulates interstate moves that cross state lines, while the DMV handles
vehicle registration and driver licensing.
6. When must a carrier renew its PSC license, and what is required for renewal?
, A) Before expiration; must submit updated insurance proof and tariff filings
B) Automatically renewed every five years with no additional filing
C) Only when a consumer complaint has been resolved
D) After each move is completed, upon CPUC request
Rationale: PSC licenses must be renewed before their expiration date, and carriers must provide
current proof of insurance and an updated filed tariff. Operating with an expired permit is a
violation of the Public Utilities Code.
7. Which of the following is grounds for CPUC permit revocation?
A) Fraudulent practices, safety violations, insurance lapse, or unresolved consumer
complaints
B) Filing an amended tariff within the same calendar year
C) Operating with a temporary substitute vehicle for one day
D) Offering a seasonal discount to attract new customers
Rationale: The CPUC may revoke a PSC permit for cause including fraud, safety violations, failure to
maintain required insurance, and a pattern of unresolved consumer complaints. These actions
protect the public from unsafe or dishonest operators.
8. What is required for a carrier performing interstate moves that cross California's
borders?
A) A valid USDOT number issued by the FMCSA
B) Only a California PSC license
C) No additional registration beyond a business license
D) A special California interstate permit from the DMV
Rationale: Interstate household goods carriers must obtain a USDOT number from the FMCSA in
addition to any state-level permits. The USDOT number is a federal identifier required for
commercial motor vehicles operating across state lines.
9. Which CPUC General Order applies to household goods carriers in California?
A) General Order 172
B) General Order 66-A
C) General Order 101
D) General Order 200
Rationale: General Order 172 governs household goods carriers operating in California and outlines
requirements for permits, tariffs, insurance, and consumer protections. Carriers must comply with
all provisions of this order.
10. What is the key legal distinction between a carrier and a broker?
A) Carriers physically transport household goods; brokers arrange transportation but
do not transport goods directly
B) Carriers operate only within California; brokers operate only across state lines
C) Carriers set their own rates; brokers must use CPUC-mandated pricing
D) There is no distinction under California law
Rationale: A carrier is the entity that physically moves the household goods using its own employees
and equipment. A broker acts as an intermediary that arranges the move but does not perform the
actual transportation.
11. What is the minimum cargo insurance required for California household goods
carriers?
