How to Ship a Car: Step by Step Guide for First Timers

Shipping a car for the first time can feel like stepping into an industry with its own language: brokers, carriers, bills of lading, dispatch windows. Relax. The process is straightforward once someone walks you through it. This guide does exactly that, from your first quote to the moment your car rolls off the trailer.

Step 1: Figure out what you need

Before you contact anyone, get clear on the basics. You need your pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the year, make, and model of your car, whether it runs and drives, and roughly when you need it moved. You also need to decide between open and enclosed transport. If you have not decided yet, our open vs enclosed guide will settle it in a few minutes.

Think about your dates too. Carriers work with pickup windows, usually two to five days, not exact appointments. If you need the car picked up on a specific day, say so upfront and expect to pay more for the tighter scheduling.

Step 2: Get quotes from several companies

Contact three to five companies. You will mostly be talking to brokers, which is normal: brokers are the middlemen who match your shipment with a carrier that has space on your route. There is nothing wrong with using a broker. What matters is using an honest one.

Give every company the same details so the quotes are comparable. A real quote needs your exact ZIP codes, vehicle info, dates, and transport type. Anyone quoting without these is guessing. For typical numbers, check our 2026 price guide first so you know what range to expect, and read how to compare quotes before you sign anything.

Step 3: Check the company’s credentials

This step takes five minutes and filters out most of the bad actors. Every legitimate broker and carrier has an MC number (motor carrier number) issued by the federal government. Look it up on the FMCSA SAFER database. You want to see an active operating authority and valid insurance on file.

Then read reviews, but read them smartly: ignore the star count and look for patterns. Multiple complaints about the same issue, like surprise price hikes, tell you more than any single five-star review. Our broker vs carrier guide explains exactly who you are hiring and what each party is responsible for.

Step 4: Book and prepare your car

Once you choose a company, you will sign an order agreement and usually pay a deposit or nothing until a carrier is assigned. Read the agreement. Know the cancellation terms, the pickup window, and what triggers extra fees.

Preparing the car is simple but important:

• Wash the car so pre-existing damage is visible, then photograph every panel, including close-ups of any scratches or dents.
• Remove personal items. Carriers are not liable for belongings left inside, and extra weight can cause problems. Most allow up to 100 pounds in the trunk, but confirm first.
• Leave about a quarter tank of gas. Enough to load and unload, not so much that it adds useless weight.
• Disable alarms and toll tags so they do not go off or rack up charges in transit.
• Check tire pressure, battery charge, and fluid leaks. Note any mechanical quirks for the driver.
• Remove or secure loose parts: spoilers, antennas, bike racks, and aftermarket accessories.

Step 5: Pickup day

The driver will call, usually a few hours ahead, to confirm the meeting spot. Large carriers cannot always reach your exact door, especially on narrow streets, so you might meet at a nearby parking lot. This is normal and not a problem.

Walk around the car with the driver and note every mark, scratch, and dent on the bill of lading, the inspection report that doubles as your receipt. The bill of lading is the single most important document in car shipping: it is your proof of the car’s condition at pickup, and without it, a damage claim is nearly impossible to win. Take your own photos too, with timestamps. Keep a copy of everything.

You will hand over one set of keys. The driver loads the car, secures it, and you are done. Get the driver’s direct phone number before they leave.

Step 6: While your car is in transit

Transit time depends on distance. Roughly: under 500 miles takes 1 to 2 days, 1,000 miles takes 2 to 4 days, 2,000 miles takes 4 to 6 days, and coast to coast takes 7 to 10 days. Weather, traffic, and other pickups along the route can shift these by a day or two.

Stay reachable. Drivers call when they are approaching delivery, often giving a few hours’ notice. If your plans change mid-transit, tell the broker immediately so they can coordinate with the driver. Going silent is the fastest way to create a missed delivery and storage fees.

Step 7: Delivery day

Inspect the car before you sign anything. Walk around it slowly, compare against your pickup photos, and check the roof, hood, and bumpers carefully in good light. If you find new damage, note it on the bill of lading before signing and photograph it immediately. Signing a clean bill of lading and then reporting damage later makes claims much harder.

Pay the remaining balance as agreed, usually cash, cashier’s check, or money order to the driver. Some companies accept cards for the balance with a processing fee. Get a final receipt.

If everything looks good, sign, pay, and enjoy having your car back. The whole thing, from first quote to delivery, usually spans one to three weeks depending on distance and scheduling.

Mistakes first-timers should avoid

• Booking the cheapest quote without checking credentials. The lowest price is often a bait and switch that costs more in the end.
• Leaving personal belongings in the car. They are not insured, and they add weight.
• Skipping the pickup inspection. Five rushed minutes at pickup can cost you a damage claim later.
• Not being reachable during transit. Missed calls mean missed delivery windows.
• Paying the full balance before delivery. Standard practice is a deposit at booking and the rest on delivery.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book?

Two to three weeks is the sweet spot for standard shipping. It gives brokers time to find a good carrier at a fair price. You can book with less notice, but expect to pay more for the rush. Our seasonal guide also covers how timing affects price.

Can I pack stuff in my car?

A little, usually up to 100 pounds in the trunk or below the window line, but it is at your own risk and the carrier is not liable for it. Never pack valuables, and confirm the allowance with your company first.

Will the carrier pick up from my exact address?

As close as legally and physically possible. Big rigs cannot navigate every street, so the driver may ask to meet nearby. This is standard door to door service, not a downgrade.

Is my car insured during shipping?

Yes. Licensed carriers carry cargo insurance that covers transit damage. Confirm the coverage amount before booking and understand the exclusions. Details are in our car shipping insurance guide.

What if my car gets damaged?

Document it on the bill of lading at delivery, take photos, and file a claim with the carrier promptly. Your pickup inspection photos are your evidence. Most legitimate claims get resolved, but the paperwork has to be right.

That is the whole process, start to finish. It looks like a lot written out, but in practice it is a few phone calls, some photos, and two inspections. Do those well and your first shipment will go smoothly.