Car shipping guide
How to Prepare Your Car for Auto Transport
By Genius Auto Trans · Published
To prepare your car for auto transport, clean the exterior, photograph its condition, remove personal belongings, disclose mechanical problems, and confirm the carrier’s loading requirements. At pickup and delivery, review the vehicle inspection report and keep copies of your paperwork.
Whether you’re moving across the country, purchasing a vehicle out of state, or arranging seasonal car shipping, these steps help you prepare for a smoother handoff.
Your car shipping checklist
Before the carrier arrives:
- Confirm the vehicle’s year, make, model, and modifications.
- Tell your coordinator whether it starts, rolls, steers, and brakes.
- Clean the exterior and photograph existing damage.
- Remove valuables, loose belongings, and toll transponders.
- Check for leaks and disclose mechanical issues.
- Confirm fuel or EV battery charge requirements.
- Prepare a working key and special operating instructions.
- Confirm a safe pickup location and contact information.
- Arrange for yourself or an authorized representative to attend.
1. Give your transport coordinator accurate vehicle details
Car shipping arrangements depend on more than the pickup and delivery addresses. Your vehicle’s dimensions and operating condition also matter.
Mention lift kits, oversized tires, lowered suspension, roof racks, and other modifications. Explain any starting difficulties or problems with steering, braking, or rolling.
Disclosing these details before booking helps the carrier determine whether special loading equipment or additional planning is needed.
2. Clean your car and document its condition
Wash off enough dirt to make scratches, dents, and other marks clearly visible. Take photos of the front, rear, both sides, wheels, glass, and any existing damage.
Keep the original photos and compare them with the inspection report completed at pickup. Photos provide a useful record, but they don’t replace the carrier’s written inspection.
3. Remove personal items and detachable accessories
Check the trunk, glove compartment, center console, and spaces under the seats. Remove valuables, important documents, loose electronics, and items that could shift.
If you want to leave belongings inside, confirm the carrier’s policy in writing before pickup. Ask about permitted items, weight limits, charges, and coverage rather than assuming that household goods can travel with the vehicle.
Remove or disable toll transponders. Secure loose accessories and discuss removable roof racks or other exterior attachments with the carrier.
4. Confirm the vehicle is ready for loading
Check the battery, tires, and visible fluid leaks. Report any condition that could affect safe loading or unloading.
Ask the assigned carrier how much fuel to leave in the tank. For electric vehicles, confirm the required battery charge and provide any manufacturer-specific transport instructions.
A vehicle that does not run may need different equipment. Notify your coordinator before dispatch if its condition changes.
5. Plan for truck access
Door-to-door car shipping depends on whether the carrier can safely and legally reach the address. Narrow streets, low branches, restricted parking, and tight turns can prevent a large truck from entering.
If access is limited, agree on a nearby location with enough space and permission for loading. Confirm the meeting point before pickup day.
Keep your phone available during the scheduled window, and share the contact details of anyone handling the handoff for you.
6. Review the inspection at pickup
Walk around the car with the driver or have your authorized representative attend. Make sure the condition report accurately records existing damage before signing.
The inspection may be included in the bill of lading, an important transport document. Keep a copy and ask the driver to clarify anything you don’t understand.
7. Inspect your vehicle again at delivery
Compare the car with your pickup photos and written condition report. Examine the exterior before signing the delivery paperwork.
If you notice new damage, document it on the delivery report, take clear photos, and promptly contact the carrier and your transport coordinator. Follow the reporting deadlines and procedures in your transport documents.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave personal belongings in my car during shipping?
Ask the assigned carrier before packing anything. Permission, weight limits, fees, and coverage can vary. Remove valuables and important documents regardless.
Does my car need a full tank of gas for transport?
Confirm the required fuel level with your carrier. The vehicle needs enough fuel for loading and unloading; a full tank should not be assumed necessary.
Can I ship a car that does not run?
Tell your coordinator whether the vehicle starts, rolls, steers, and brakes. Carrier availability and loading equipment will determine the options for your specific vehicle.
Do I need to be present at pickup and delivery?
Confirm the attendance requirements when booking. If you cannot attend, ask how to designate an authorized representative who can review the vehicle’s condition and sign the paperwork.
What information do I need for a car shipping quote?
Prepare your pickup and delivery ZIP codes, vehicle year, make and model, operating condition, preferred dates, and transport preference. Include any modifications or access restrictions.
Plan your shipment with Genius Auto Trans
Genius Auto Trans arranges vehicle transport across the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC. Explore our auto transport services, visit our FAQ, or request a free car shipping quote.
Call (800) 780-1113 to discuss your route and vehicle.