Your car is ready to ship when the tank is low, personal items are removed, the alarm is off, loose parts are secured, and you have your documents, a spare key, damage photos, confirmed parking access, and a point of contact ready for pickup day. Run through this checklist right before your driver arrives.
You have already read the general prep guides. You know to clean out the trunk and pull off the roof rack. This is not that article. This is the final walk-around you do the morning of pickup, or the night before, to confirm you are actually ready and won’t hold up your driver or your own move. Treat it like a pre-flight checklist: quick, specific, and done in the order that matters most on pickup day.
Fuel, Power, and Mechanical Checks
- Fuel level is at or below a quarter tank.
A full tank adds unnecessary weight to the carrier and isn’t needed for a trip your car won’t actually be driving under its own power for long stretches. A quarter tank is the standard most carriers expect, and it’s enough to load, unload, and drive the vehicle short distances if needed. Anything more is just extra weight the trucker is hauling for no reason.
- The car alarm and anti-theft systems are disabled.
Carriers load and unload multiple vehicles at each stop, and a car alarm that triggers from vibration or movement can go off repeatedly during transport. If you can’t fully disable it, at least make sure you or someone reachable knows how to silence it remotely, and let your driver know it’s a possibility. This one detail prevents a lot of unnecessary frustration on the road.
- The battery is charged and the car starts and runs.
Your driver needs to start the vehicle to load it onto the carrier and position it correctly. A dead battery on pickup day can delay loading or, in some cases, require special equipment that isn’t guaranteed to be on hand. If your car has been sitting for a while, start it and let it idle before pickup day arrives.
- Loose or aftermarket parts are secured or removed.
This is different from general packing advice about what to remove from inside the car. This is about anything loosely attached to the outside or undercarriage, like a loose spoiler, antenna, mirror, or trim piece that could rattle free during transport. Anything that isn’t securely fastened should be tightened, taped down, or removed and packed separately.
Documentation and Access Checks
1. You have your ID, registration, and any required paperwork on hand.
The driver will need to verify who is releasing and receiving the vehicle, and you’ll sign a Bill of Lading at both pickup and delivery. Have your driver’s license and vehicle registration easy to grab, not buried in the trunk you just packed. If someone else is handling pickup on your behalf, make sure they have written authorization if your carrier requires it.
2. A spare key is on hand, or you know exactly who has the primary one.
Sounds obvious, but this is one of the most common last-minute snags. If you’re shipping the car to a new address and won’t be there yourself, confirm who is physically handing over the key and where it will be at pickup time. Don’t assume the key is “somewhere in the house” the morning your driver is scheduled to arrive.
3. You’ve taken timestamped photos of the car’s current condition.
This is your own record, separate from any inspection your driver does at pickup. Walk around the car and photograph all four sides, the roof, and any existing dings, scratches, or wear, with your phone’s date and time visible or a quick timestamp note. It takes five minutes and gives you clear documentation if you ever need to reference the car’s condition before it left your hands.
4. Your pickup location has clear access for a large carrier truck.
An open carrier can be 70 to 80 feet long fully loaded, and it can’t always navigate narrow streets, low bridges, tight cul-de-sacs, or a driveway boxed in by parked cars. Confirm there’s a nearby spot, like a wide street, parking lot, or main road, where the truck can safely load or unload if it can’t reach your exact address. Flag this with your dispatcher ahead of time if you already suspect your street will be tight.
5. Someone will be present and reachable at the scheduled pickup window.
Auto transport pickup times are usually given as a window, not an exact time, since drivers are managing multiple stops and road conditions. You or an authorized adult needs to be there to hand over the keys, sign paperwork, and walk through the vehicle with the driver. If your schedule is tight, confirm who your backup contact is and give the dispatcher their number in advance.
6. Your contact number and pickup address are confirmed and up to date.
Plans change between booking and pickup day, whether it’s a new address, a different phone number, or a change in who’s dropping the car off. Call or message your carrier or dispatcher a day or two ahead to confirm everything on file is still accurate. A quick double-check here avoids missed calls and wasted trips for your driver.
What If You Haven’t Booked Yet?
If you’re reading this before pickup day even has a date on the calendar, you’re actually in a good spot. Getting a free, no-obligation quote from ABC Auto Shipping is the natural first step, and it only takes a few minutes to get pricing based on your route, vehicle, and timeline. ABC Auto Shipping ships vehicles nationwide with both open and enclosed transport options, works with licensed and insured carriers, and offers door to door service so you’re not stuck driving to a terminal.
Once you’re booked, bookmark this checklist and come back to it the morning of pickup. Running through all ten points takes less time than a coffee break, and it’s the difference between a smooth handoff and a delayed one. If your ship date is still up in the air, getting a free quote from ABC Auto Shipping now means you’ll have a real timeline to plan the rest of your move around.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gas should be in my car before shipping it?
Keep the tank at a quarter full or less. This gives the driver enough fuel to load, unload, and reposition the vehicle without adding unnecessary weight to the carrier.
Do I need to be present at pickup, or can someone else hand over the car?
Someone needs to be present, but it doesn’t have to be you personally. Any authorized adult you’ve designated can meet the driver, hand over the keys, and sign the Bill of Lading on your behalf.
What happens if my alarm goes off during transport?
It’s usually not a major issue, but it can be a nuisance for the driver and other vehicles on the carrier. Disable it if possible, and if you can’t, let your driver know in advance so they’re prepared and know how to reach you if it triggers.
What if the truck can’t fit down my street?
This is common in neighborhoods with narrow roads, low branches, or tight turns. Your driver will typically call ahead to arrange a nearby meeting spot, like a shopping center or wide main road, so pinpoint your address in advance if you suspect this could be an issue.
Do I need to leave a spare key with the carrier?
No, you only need to hand over one working key at pickup and receive it back at delivery. Just make sure that key is easy to locate and that whoever is present at pickup actually has it in hand.
How do I know if my car is actually ready to ship?
Run through this ten-point checklist the day before or the morning of pickup. If you can check off fuel level, alarm status, secured parts, documentation, keys, photos, access, and confirmed contacts, your car is ready to go.
