How to be a Good Auto Transport Customer

Let's face it - shipping a car can be stressful, especially if it's your only one. But a little preparation on your end makes the whole thing go smoother for everyone, including the person whose job it is to get your car there: the driver.

It helps to know what a car hauler's day looks like. Federal hours-of-service rules cap how long a truck driver can drive and how long a workday can stretch before a required rest, so every minute a driver spends waiting at a pickup comes out of the miles they can cover that day. They're juggling several pickups and drop-offs, traffic, weather, weigh stations and inspections - and on most loads, they don't get paid until the car is delivered. Anything that saves them time tends to save you time, too.

Be reachable during your pickup window. Drivers usually call ahead to set a time, often only a day or a few hours out. If they can't reach you, they may move on to the next car on their list. Keep your phone on, answer unknown numbers that week, and if someone else is handing over the car, make sure the company has that person's number.

Describe the car honestly. Its size, any modifications, and whether it runs, rolls, brakes and steers all change how it's loaded and what it costs. A surprise at pickup means a delay, a new price, or a driver who simply can't take it.

Have the car ready. Clean it out - personal items aren't covered by the carrier's cargo insurance, and loose things shift in transit. Leave about a quarter tank of fuel, mention any leaks or quirks, and have every key ready, including any for a locking gas cap or wheel locks.

Pick a spot a big truck can reach. A loaded car hauler is long and heavy, and narrow streets, low branches, cul-de-sacs and some gated communities are off-limits. If your street won't work, agree on a nearby parking lot instead - the driver will usually suggest one.

Inspect together, and don't rush the paperwork. Walk around the car with the driver at pickup, take dated photos, and make sure every existing mark is written on the Bill of Lading. At delivery, inspect again in good light, note anything new on the Bill of Lading, and then sign.

Have payment sorted out. If a balance is due at delivery, know the amount and the payment method the company you booked with accepts before the truck shows up - drivers often can't take every form of payment.

Be flexible - and polite. Pickup windows are windows, not appointments; weather, breakdowns and other customers' delays ripple down the line. The person on the phone usually didn't cause the delay, and courtesy gets you further than anger every time. And if your plans change, tell the company right away, not the morning of pickup.

We put your shipment in front of vetted, licensed auto transport companies, they compete with their best offers, and you choose the one you book with - and you never pay us a cent. Get your free estimate online, or call us any time at 800-930-7417 with questions.