What Florida checks on a North Carolina load
Moving trucks, rental trucks, vans and trailers have to pull into Florida's agricultural inspection stations, which stay open around the clock. On this route the truck meets them on I-95, right where it enters the state (FDACS inspection stations). Officers there look for plant pests and diseases, so plants are the part of your load that can raise questions. Florida lets household plants in when a certificate of inspection comes with them, or when you can give the address in Florida where they will grow. Citrus trees, or any part of one, are not allowed in without a special permit; the fruit is fine. North Carolina is on Florida's dogwood anthracnose list, so a dogwood from your yard stays behind. It is also on the oak wilt list, which covers rooted oak and chestnut trees and seedlings, and firewood that still has bark needs a certificate from the state it came from (Florida plant import rules). The same rules apply to plants riding in your car. Before you book, ask the Charlotte office whether your plants can go on our truck.
One driving day on I-77, I-26, I-95 and I-4
From Charlotte the truck heads south on I-77 into South Carolina, turns east on I-26 toward the coast, then runs I-95 south through Georgia into Florida. It loops around Jacksonville on I-295, returns to I-95 and takes I-4 west into Orlando. That makes 520 road miles and about 8 hours of driving, which fits inside the federal cap of 11 driving hours a day, so this is one driving day. The fuel for it is in your flat rate.
- Charlotte: the crew wraps and loads while you point out anything fragile or staying behind, then you read the bill of lading before you put your name on it.
- Driving day: about 8 hours south, with a stop at the Florida inspection station.
- Orlando: meet the truck at the agreed time, say where each piece goes, and note anything damaged on the Damage Report before signing for the delivery.
Moving between June and November
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The National Hurricane Center puts its peak on September 10, with most storms forming between mid-August and mid-October (NHC climatology). If your move falls in those weeks, keep a day or two of slack on both ends, so a lease end in Charlotte and a lease start in Orlando do not depend on one exact delivery day, and follow the forecasts in the week before loading. If the Orlando lease or closing starts after delivery day, storage can cover the gap; ask for it before loading.
First errands in Orlando
Florida counts you as a resident once you start a job there, enroll children in a public school, or register to vote, among other things. From then you have 30 days to get a Florida driver license and 10 days to buy Florida insurance from a Florida agent and title and register your car (FLHSMV new residents). Inside Orlando city limits, the City takes flattened boxes in the recycling cart, never in plastic bags (City of Orlando recycling). It also picks up two large items that can be lifted by hand, such as a sofa or a dresser, from the edge of your property on yard waste day, with no booking; take the doors off an old fridge first (City of Orlando large items). If your mailing address says Orlando but the home sits outside city limits, check with your city or county. Questions about how the flat rate is built? The pricing page explains it.
