Logistics, auto and equipment: the numbers, the rules, the AI picture.

• Household goods movers: USDOT number in ads and the federal consumer booklet (49 CFR Part 375)

  Section 375.207 requires truthful, straightforward and honest advertisements. Every ad must show the carrier name and its USDOT number, in the format "U.S. DOT No." followed by the number. Under section 375.213, movers must give individual shippers a written estimate and summaries of their arbitration and complaint procedures. They must also provide two federal publications, "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" and "Ready to Move?", as copies or links. Section 375.401 requires a written estimate based on a physical survey unless the shipper waives it in writing. Under sections 375.405 and 375.407, a shipper cannot be required to pay more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery.

  What it means: Put "U.S. DOT No." and the number on every ad, landing page, social profile and directory listing. Link the federal publications prominently on your site. Say plainly whether an estimate is binding or non-binding, and never advertise a price that depends on skipping the survey. The 110% cap belongs on your FAQ page, because buyers search for it.

  [9] law.cornell.edu

• Freight and household goods brokers: say you are a broker (49 CFR Part 371)

  Section 371.7 says a broker shall not represent its operations to be that of a carrier, and any advertising shall show the broker status of the operation. It also bars brokering under any name other than the registered one. For household goods brokers, section 371.107 requires ads and homepages to show the physical address, USDOT and MC numbers and broker status. They must also say the broker will not transport the goods itself. Section 371.109 requires a list of the carriers used, with their numbers. Section 371.3 requires brokers to keep transaction records for three years, and each party has a right to review them.

  What it means: A broker site must not use "our trucks", fleet photos or copy that implies you haul the freight. State the broker status in the header or hero, and show the MC and USDOT numbers. Household goods brokers may show only the names or logos of carriers they have written agreements with. Asset-based 3PLs that also broker should say which service is which.

  [10] law.cornell.edu

• Vehicle price advertising: the FTC Act, after the CARS Rule was vacated

  The FTC's Combating Auto Retail Scams Trade Regulation Rule was vacated by the Fifth Circuit on January 27, 2025, because the FTC skipped an advance notice of proposed rulemaking. The FTC Act still applies. In March 2026 the FTC warned 97 dealership groups that advertised prices must include all mandatory fees. Its September 2026 staff FAQs say the advertised price must be the actual price any consumer can walk in and pay, excluding only government-required charges. They cover websites, social media, print, signs, calls and texts.

  What it means: Make the all-in price the most prominent number on every vehicle page and ad, including doc fees. Show MSRP, rebates and conditional discounts only with clear terms and less prominence. Do not condition the price on dealer financing or advertise sold cars. The FAQs say dealers, third-party advertisers and automakers all share responsibility. In Ontario, OMVIC already requires all-in prices excluding only HST and licensing. In the UK, drip pricing has been banned since 6 April 2025.

  [11] ftc.gov

• Payment and lease ads: Truth in Lending (Regulation Z) and Consumer Leasing (Regulation M)

  Under 12 CFR 1026.24, certain terms in a consumer credit ad trigger more disclosures. They are a down payment, the number of payments or repayment period, a payment amount and a finance charge. The ad must then state the down payment, the repayment terms and the annual percentage rate, and whether the rate may increase. Advertised terms must be actually available. Under 12 CFR 1013.7, a consumer lease ad that states a payment amount or an amount due at signing must say more. It must state that it is a lease, the total due at signing, the payments and any security deposit.

  What it means: A "$299 a month" banner is a triggering term. Put the required disclosures beside it, clearly and conspicuously, on the ad and the landing page. Only advertise rates and terms you will really give to a typical buyer. These rules cover consumer credit and leases, so commercial equipment finance offers need separate legal review.

  [12] law.cornell.edu

• "Dealer-only service" claims: Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act tie-in ban (15 U.S.C. 2302(c))

  No warrantor of a consumer product may condition its warranty on the consumer using an article or service identified by brand, trade or corporate name. The exceptions are items provided free under the warranty and FTC waivers. In 2015 the FTC alleged that BMW conditioned MINI warranties on MINI parts and dealer service. In April 2018 FTC staff warned six companies, including automakers, that such statements are generally prohibited.

  What it means: Dealers should not say or imply that customers must service with them to keep a factory warranty, unless the work is free under the warranty. Independent shops can say, accurately, that routine maintenance elsewhere does not by itself void a warranty. Neither side should promise warranty outcomes. Keep service records and use parts that meet the specification.

  [13] law.cornell.edu

• State auto repair acts: written estimates and authorization (example: California Bureau of Automotive Repair)

  California's Bureau of Automotive Repair says an estimate is required before repairs, describing the job and pricing parts and labor separately. Authorization can be written, oral or electronic, but it must be recorded on the estimate before work begins. A note left with the vehicle is not authorization, and additional repairs need fresh consent. Invoices must show the shop's registration number. BAR regulations (16 CCR 3372) judge an ad as a whole, as read by the people it targets.

  What it means: Do not advertise "drop it off and we will take care of it" if that means starting work without a recorded estimate. Online booking flows should collect the contact route you will use for authorization. Terms such as "rebuilt" transmissions or air-conditioning "top off" carry specific meanings in California ads. Other states have their own repair acts, so check yours.

  [14] bar.ca.gov

• Google Ads: dishonest pricing practices and vehicle ads policies

  Google's dishonest pricing practices policy bars failing to disclose the total price including taxes, fees and surcharges, and luring customers with unrealistic low prices. Businesses offering urgent on-site services must disclose all applicable fees, such as call-out charges and emergency-hour surcharges, and whether estimates are binding. Google says it warns at least 7 days before suspending an account. Its vehicle ads policies require the feed price to match the landing page exactly, allow only direct sellers, exclude brokers and require clean titles.

  What it means: Towing, roadside, locksmith-style and mobile repair ads must show call-out fees and surcharges in the ad or on the landing page. Dealers using vehicle ads must keep feed prices identical to site prices and stay within the FTC all-in rule. Local Services Ads screening for vehicle repair and body shops includes garage keepers liability insurance, and towing adds cargo and on-hook coverage.

  [15] support.google.com

• Reviews and follow-up texts: the FTC reviews rule and FCC consent rules (16 CFR Part 465, 47 CFR 64.1200)

  The FTC Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule took effect on October 21, 2024. It bars fake reviews, incentives conditioned on a particular sentiment, undisclosed insider reviews and review suppression through intimidation. The FTC's Leader complaint alleged employees were pressured to post reviews and one customer did not get her keys until she posted five stars. The FCC rule requires prior express written consent for autodialed or prerecorded telemarketing to wireless numbers, and opt-outs by any reasonable method honored within ten business days.

  What it means: Ask every customer for a review with a plain link, never tie a reward or a key handover to a rating, and disclose staff reviews. Get written consent before marketing texts about service specials, lease ends or trade-in offers, and store it. Honor "stop" in every channel. Ask counsel how the rules apply to your texting tools.

  [16] law.cornell.edu

This is general information, not legal advice. Transport, dealer, repair and consent rules change and differ by state, province and country, and some are under active rulemaking. Check FMCSA, the FTC, your state regulator and your own counsel before you publish or automate anything.