This post is sponsored by A1 Auto Transport.
Sooner or later, many car owners face a situation where driving simply is not practical. A cross-country move, a car bought in another state, a classic sent to a restoration shop, or a vehicle heading to a snowbird’s winter home. In all of these cases, professional auto transport is the sensible answer. But shipping a vehicle is not quite as simple as handing over the keys. A little preparation protects your car, keeps the process smooth, and helps you spot any issue quickly if something goes wrong. Here is how to get your vehicle ready.
Start With a Thorough Clean
It sounds counterintuitive to wash a car before it travels on an open trailer, but a clean vehicle is essential for one key reason: documentation. A clean exterior lets you see and record the true condition of the paint and bodywork before shipping. Existing scratches, dents, and chips are far easier to identify on a clean surface than on a dusty one, which matters enormously if you ever need to compare the car’s condition before and after transit.
Give the interior a quick tidy too, and remove any personal belongings. Most carriers are not licensed to transport household goods, and loose items can shift, cause damage, or add weight. Take everything out except the equipment that belongs with the car.
Document the Condition Carefully
Once the car is clean, photograph it from every angle in good light. Capture the whole vehicle and close-ups of any existing damage, along with the odometer reading. Date-stamped photos are your best evidence and your best peace of mind. Reputable transporters will also complete a Bill of Lading that records the vehicle’s condition at pickup, and you should keep your own record alongside it.
Handle the Mechanical Basics
A few simple maintenance checks make transport safer and smoother. Leave roughly a quarter tank of fuel in the car. That is enough to load and unload it, without the extra weight of a full tank. Check that the battery is charged and secure, top up essential fluids, and make sure the tires are inflated to the correct pressure, since properly inflated tires load and unload more safely.
Note any existing leaks and mention them to the carrier, as a leaking vehicle placed on an upper deck can drip onto the car below. If your vehicle has any mechanical quirks, such as a temperamental starter or a specific way it goes into neutral, write them down for the driver. And importantly, disable or turn off any alarm system so it does not activate during transit.
Secure or Remove Accessories
Fold in mirrors where possible, retract or remove antennas, and take off any external accessories such as bike racks, spoilers that detach, or loose trim. Remove toll transponders and parking passes so you are not charged as the carrier passes through toll points. If your car sits especially low or has custom modifications, tell the transport company in advance so they can bring the right equipment.
Choose the Right Service and a Reputable Company
With the car ready, the next decision is how it travels. Open transport is the most common and cost-effective option, carrying your vehicle on an open trailer. Enclosed transport costs more but shields the vehicle from weather and road debris, which is the preferred choice for classic, luxury, or high-value cars.
Just as important is choosing a trustworthy company. An established provider such as A1 Auto Transport, which has operated since 1989 and offers both open and enclosed door-to-door shipping through a network of vetted carriers, gives you experience and accountability. Look for clear, written quotes with no hidden fees, proper insurance coverage, and transparent communication about pickup and delivery windows.
Verify That Your Carrier Is Properly Licensed
This step is the one many people skip, and it is the most important protection you have. Any company transporting vehicles across state lines must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and carry a valid USDOT number. Before you book, you can and should verify a company’s status using the FMCSA’s official SAFER Company Snapshot database, which lets you confirm a carrier’s registration, authority, and safety record for free. A legitimate transporter will display its USDOT number openly. If you cannot find one, treat that as a serious warning sign and walk away.
Inspect Carefully on Delivery
When your vehicle arrives, do not rush the handover. Inspect it thoroughly against the photos you took and the notes on the Bill of Lading, ideally in good light. Check the bodywork, the mirrors, the wheels, and the odometer. If everything matches, sign off with confidence. If you spot any new damage, note it clearly on the paperwork before signing and contact the company immediately, as documenting it at the point of delivery is essential for any claim.
The Payoff of Preparation
Shipping a vehicle is usually straightforward and uneventful, and good preparation is what keeps it that way. A clean, documented, mechanically ready car handed to a properly licensed transporter is the recipe for a stress-free experience. Spend an hour getting it right, and your vehicle will arrive exactly as it left, ready for the road at its new destination.
This post is sponsored by A1 Auto Transport.
