How to prepare your car for shipping

Getting a car ready for transport takes about an hour, spread over a day or two. Most of it is about two things: making the car safe and light to carry, and keeping a clear record of how it looked when it left you.

One week before pickup

Once your dispatcher has confirmed your carrier and pickup window, a few things are worth sorting early:

• Confirm who will hand over the car. If you will not be there yourself, tell your dispatcher the name and phone number of the person who will.
• Check the addresses. If your street is narrow, steep or has low trees, tell your dispatcher. Carriers are long trucks; the driver may suggest a nearby open lot as the meeting point.
• Mention anything unusual about the car. Low ground clearance, a lift kit, oversized tires, a car that doesn’t run or a non-standard key all change which carrier is right for the job.
• Plan your own transport. If you are moving, sort out how you will get around between pickup and delivery.

The 10-step checklist

Work through these the day before or the morning of pickup.

1. 1

   Wash the car

   Clean the outside a day or two before pickup so existing marks are easy to see at inspection.

2. 2

   Photograph every panel

   Take clear, dated photos and a short video of all sides, the roof, wheels, interior and the odometer.

3. 3

   Remove personal items

   Take out valuables and loose items. Anything left inside should be light and secured: over 50 lb in total adds a heavy-load fee.

4. 4

   Remove toll tags and parking passes

   Take out E-ZPass and other transponders so they are not charged as the carrier drives through toll plazas.

5. 5

   Leave about a quarter tank

   Enough to drive on and off the trailer, without the extra weight of a full tank.

6. 6

   Check battery, tires and leaks

   A charged battery, inflated tires and no active leaks. If the car does not start, steer and brake, book it as inoperable.

7. 7

   Secure the outside

   Fold mirrors, retract or remove antennas, and remove bike racks, car covers and loose spoilers.

8. 8

   Turn off the alarm

   Disable the alarm, or give the driver clear instructions, so it does not go off on the trailer.

9. 9

   Hand over one set of keys

   The driver needs a key for the ignition, doors and trunk. Keep your spare.

10. 10

    Inspect the car with the driver

    At pickup and again at delivery, do a thorough on-site inspection with the driver and agree on the car’s condition before you sign.

What not to leave in the car

Photograph your car the right way

Photos are your record if you ever need to raise a question about the car’s condition. Do it in daylight, after the car is washed.

• Walk around the car and shoot each side straight on, then each corner at an angle.
• Take close-ups of any existing scratches, dents, chips or curb rash on the wheels.
• Photograph the roof, the windshield, the interior and the dashboard with the odometer showing.
• Keep the files with their original dates. A short walk-around video helps too.

At pickup

The driver calls ahead when they are close. When they arrive, you do a thorough on-site inspection of the car together and note any existing marks on the inspection report, usually called the bill of lading. Check it carefully before you sign, keep your copy, and hand over the keys. Loading takes a few minutes.

At delivery

Do another thorough on-site inspection with the driver before you sign, ideally in daylight, comparing it with your pickup photos and the report. Note anything new on the delivery paperwork before signing. Then check the car starts and drives normally, put your toll tag back, and refill the tank.

Preparing a car that doesn’t run

An inoperable car can be shipped, but it needs a carrier with a winch. Mark the car as inoperable on the quote so the right truck is sent; the quote includes the extra handling. Make sure it rolls, steers and has working brakes if possible, and tell your dispatcher about flat tires or missing wheels. More in shipping an inoperable car.

Extra care for classic and luxury cars

If the car is valuable, original or freshly painted, consider enclosed car transport, which keeps it covered the whole way. Mention low ground clearance and any delicate trim to your dispatcher, and remove custom accessories you would not want to replace.