Key takeaways
- Wash the car and take dated photos from every side so its condition is on record.
- Remove personal items and toll tags; carriers are not licensed to carry household goods.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel and disable the alarm.
- Inspect the car with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading only when it is accurate.
The checklist
- Wash it. A clean car makes existing scratches and dents easy to see and record.
- Photograph it. Take clear, dated photos of every side, the roof, the wheels, the interior, and the odometer.
- Remove personal items. Carriers are licensed to haul vehicles, not household goods, and their insurance does not cover belongings left inside. Remove loose items and anything valuable.
- Take off toll tags and parking passes. Otherwise you may pay tolls along the carrier's route.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. Enough to drive on and off the trailer, without extra weight.
- Disable the alarm or tell the driver how to turn it off.
- Check tires, battery, and leaks. Tell your advisor about any leak or mechanical issue before pickup.
- Fold in mirrors and secure loose parts. Remove or secure spoilers, antennas, and roof racks if possible.
- Prepare one set of keys for the driver, including any needed for the gas cap or trunk.
- Be there, or send someone you trust (18 or older) to inspect and sign.
At pickup: the inspection
The driver will walk around the car with you and mark any existing damage on the Bill of Lading (BOL). Check that it matches what you see, then sign. Keep your copy: you will compare it at delivery.
If the car does not run
Tell us when you book. A non-running car needs a winch or forklift, and the carrier has to know in advance. See shipping a car that doesn't run.
At delivery
Inspect the car again before signing, ideally in daylight. Note anything new on the BOL and take photos. Then pay as agreed and drive away.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave personal items in my car when shipping it?
It is best not to. Carriers are licensed to transport vehicles, not household goods, and their insurance does not cover personal belongings.
How much gas should be in a car for shipping?
About a quarter tank: enough to load and unload, without extra weight.
What is a Bill of Lading in car shipping?
The Bill of Lading (BOL) is the inspection report and receipt signed by you and the driver at pickup and delivery. It records the condition of the car.
What vehicle transportation problems can the TS Fast Car Shipping Hotline help with?
Our Car Shipping Hotline, (888) 885-0991, is for anyone with a vehicle transportation or logistics problem anywhere in the United States: booking a car, SUV, truck, motorcycle or RV shipment, a carrier that cancelled or never showed up, an urgent or expedited pickup, a vehicle that does not run, a military PCS move, or a delayed delivery. Call and a specialist will help you work out the next step.
Does TS Fast Auto Logistics transport vehicles to every state?
Yes. We arrange door-to-door vehicle transport between any two US states, nationwide. Hawaii, Alaska, and commercial, oversized or very heavy vehicles are quoted individually. We transport vehicles only: we do not ship packages, parcels or household goods, and we are not a local tow or roadside assistance service.