California Household Movers Exam 2026/2027 |
California Household Mover (HHM) License Exam
Study Guide, BHGS Household Movers Practice
Questions & Answers, Maximum Rate Tariff (Max 4),
California Moving Laws & Regulations, Household
Goods Transportation, Rates, Contracts, Insurance,
Claims, Consumer Protection & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: What is the primary state agency responsible for
regulating household movers operating within California?
A. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
B. Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
D. California Highway Patrol (CHP)
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bureau of Household Goods and Services
(BHGS)
Rationale: Jurisdiction over California intrastate household moves officially
transferred from the CPUC to the BHGS, which operates under the
Department of Consumer Affairs.
Question 2: What is the minimum passing score required on the
California Household Movers examination?
A. 65%
B. 70%
C. 75%
D. 80%
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 70%
Rationale: Under California Business and Professions Code, applicants must
score a minimum of 70 percent to pass the regulatory examination.
Question 3: What is the maximum deposit a household mover may
collect from a consumer before a move begins under MAX 4 Tariff
Item 88?
A. 10% of total estimated charges
B. 25% of total estimated charges
C. 50% of total estimated charges
D. 100% prepayment
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. 25% of total estimated charges
Rationale: Under MAX 4, Item 88, the mover may collect up to 25% of the
total estimated charges as a deposit.
Question 4: What document must a customer sign before any
additional services beyond the original estimate can be performed?
A. Bill of Lading
B. Change Order for Services
C. Post-Move Claim Form
D. Warehouse Receipt
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Change Order for Services
Rationale: A Change Order for Services must be signed before performing
extra services beyond the original estimate under MAX 4 regulations.
Question 5: What is the minimum cargo insurance required for a
California household mover?
A. $10,000
B. $20,000
C. $25,000
D. $50,000
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $20,000
Rationale: Business and Professions Code section 19248 requires household
movers to maintain cargo insurance in the amount of $20,000.
Question 6: When must the "Important Information for Persons
Moving Household Goods" booklet be provided to a consumer?
A. Only upon request
B. Before or at the time of the estimate
C. At delivery
D. After payment is completed
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Before or at the time of the estimate
Rationale: Movers must provide the BHGS consumer booklet before or
during estimate preparation to ensure informed consent.
Question 7: What is the maximum liability for lost or damaged
goods under Basic Valuation Protection?
,A. 60 cents per pound per article
B. $1 per pound per shipment
C. Full replacement value
D. Unlimited liability
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 60 cents per pound per article
Rationale: Basic Valuation Protection limits liability to $0.60 per pound per
article unless the customer purchases additional coverage.
Question 8: What is the time limit for filing a loss or damage claim
under MAX 4 regulations?
A. 7 days
B. 30 days
C. 9 months
D. 1 year
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 9 months
Rationale: Under MAX 4, claims for loss or damage must be filed within 9
months of delivery.
Question 9: What document serves as the official contract of
carriage and must be signed before the move begins?
A. Estimate
B. Bill of Lading
C. Inventory Sheet
D. Change Order
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bill of Lading
Rationale: The Bill of Lading is the official contract of carriage required
before the move starts; it outlines terms, liability, and cost.
Question 10: What is the standard hourly minimum charge a mover
may apply to a local move under MAX 4 Tariff ?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 4 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 3 hours
, Rationale: Movers are permitted to set a 3-hour minimum for labor on any
hourly-rated move under MAX 4 Tariff rules.
Question 11: What is "Double Drive Time" (DDT) in California
household moving?
A. Driving twice the speed limit
B. Charging for the time spent driving between origin and destination,
multiplied by two
C. Using two drivers for one truck
D. Charging for the trip back to the warehouse
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Charging for the time spent driving between
origin and destination, multiplied by two
Rationale: DDT is the standard California method for billing transit time on
hourly moves, accounting for the return trip.
Question 12: What is a "Not-to-Exceed" price in a California
moving estimate?
A. A rough guess of the final cost
B. The maximum amount a mover can legally charge for services listed on
the estimate
C. The minimum deposit required
D. The price for packing materials only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The maximum amount a mover can legally
charge for services listed on the estimate
Rationale: The Not-to-Exceed (NTE) price protects the consumer from
price increases after the move begins.
Question 13: A visual inspection of the goods is mandatory for an
estimate if the distance from origin to destination is greater than:
A. 10 miles
B. 25 miles
C. 50 miles
D. 100 miles
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 50 miles
Rationale: Moves over 50 miles require a physical sighting to ensure the
estimate is accurate and Not-to-Exceed.
California Household Mover (HHM) License Exam
Study Guide, BHGS Household Movers Practice
Questions & Answers, Maximum Rate Tariff (Max 4),
California Moving Laws & Regulations, Household
Goods Transportation, Rates, Contracts, Insurance,
Claims, Consumer Protection & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: What is the primary state agency responsible for
regulating household movers operating within California?
A. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
B. Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
D. California Highway Patrol (CHP)
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bureau of Household Goods and Services
(BHGS)
Rationale: Jurisdiction over California intrastate household moves officially
transferred from the CPUC to the BHGS, which operates under the
Department of Consumer Affairs.
Question 2: What is the minimum passing score required on the
California Household Movers examination?
A. 65%
B. 70%
C. 75%
D. 80%
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 70%
Rationale: Under California Business and Professions Code, applicants must
score a minimum of 70 percent to pass the regulatory examination.
Question 3: What is the maximum deposit a household mover may
collect from a consumer before a move begins under MAX 4 Tariff
Item 88?
A. 10% of total estimated charges
B. 25% of total estimated charges
C. 50% of total estimated charges
D. 100% prepayment
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. 25% of total estimated charges
Rationale: Under MAX 4, Item 88, the mover may collect up to 25% of the
total estimated charges as a deposit.
Question 4: What document must a customer sign before any
additional services beyond the original estimate can be performed?
A. Bill of Lading
B. Change Order for Services
C. Post-Move Claim Form
D. Warehouse Receipt
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Change Order for Services
Rationale: A Change Order for Services must be signed before performing
extra services beyond the original estimate under MAX 4 regulations.
Question 5: What is the minimum cargo insurance required for a
California household mover?
A. $10,000
B. $20,000
C. $25,000
D. $50,000
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $20,000
Rationale: Business and Professions Code section 19248 requires household
movers to maintain cargo insurance in the amount of $20,000.
Question 6: When must the "Important Information for Persons
Moving Household Goods" booklet be provided to a consumer?
A. Only upon request
B. Before or at the time of the estimate
C. At delivery
D. After payment is completed
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Before or at the time of the estimate
Rationale: Movers must provide the BHGS consumer booklet before or
during estimate preparation to ensure informed consent.
Question 7: What is the maximum liability for lost or damaged
goods under Basic Valuation Protection?
,A. 60 cents per pound per article
B. $1 per pound per shipment
C. Full replacement value
D. Unlimited liability
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 60 cents per pound per article
Rationale: Basic Valuation Protection limits liability to $0.60 per pound per
article unless the customer purchases additional coverage.
Question 8: What is the time limit for filing a loss or damage claim
under MAX 4 regulations?
A. 7 days
B. 30 days
C. 9 months
D. 1 year
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 9 months
Rationale: Under MAX 4, claims for loss or damage must be filed within 9
months of delivery.
Question 9: What document serves as the official contract of
carriage and must be signed before the move begins?
A. Estimate
B. Bill of Lading
C. Inventory Sheet
D. Change Order
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bill of Lading
Rationale: The Bill of Lading is the official contract of carriage required
before the move starts; it outlines terms, liability, and cost.
Question 10: What is the standard hourly minimum charge a mover
may apply to a local move under MAX 4 Tariff ?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 4 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 3 hours
, Rationale: Movers are permitted to set a 3-hour minimum for labor on any
hourly-rated move under MAX 4 Tariff rules.
Question 11: What is "Double Drive Time" (DDT) in California
household moving?
A. Driving twice the speed limit
B. Charging for the time spent driving between origin and destination,
multiplied by two
C. Using two drivers for one truck
D. Charging for the trip back to the warehouse
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Charging for the time spent driving between
origin and destination, multiplied by two
Rationale: DDT is the standard California method for billing transit time on
hourly moves, accounting for the return trip.
Question 12: What is a "Not-to-Exceed" price in a California
moving estimate?
A. A rough guess of the final cost
B. The maximum amount a mover can legally charge for services listed on
the estimate
C. The minimum deposit required
D. The price for packing materials only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The maximum amount a mover can legally
charge for services listed on the estimate
Rationale: The Not-to-Exceed (NTE) price protects the consumer from
price increases after the move begins.
Question 13: A visual inspection of the goods is mandatory for an
estimate if the distance from origin to destination is greater than:
A. 10 miles
B. 25 miles
C. 50 miles
D. 100 miles
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 50 miles
Rationale: Moves over 50 miles require a physical sighting to ensure the
estimate is accurate and Not-to-Exceed.
