Quick answer: Inspect your car with the driver at both ends of the trip. At pickup, make sure every existing scratch, dent and chip is marked on the bill of lading before you sign, and take your own dated photos. At delivery, compare the car with that report before you sign, and write any new damage on the bill of lading with the driver’s acknowledgment. At ABC Auto Shipping, claims are honored only for damage noted at delivery and acknowledged by the driver. See how car shipping insurance works.
The inspection is the part of car shipping most people rush. The driver is ready to go, you are signing paperwork, and it is tempting to glance at the car and sign. But the condition report you sign at pickup, and the one you sign at delivery, decide whether any damage can be claimed. This guide gives you a car transport inspection checklist for both ends, a photo checklist, and what to do if you find damage.
Car Transport Inspection Checklist
Use this at pickup and again at delivery:
| Check | At pickup | At delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Light and time | Inspect in daylight or good light; allow at least a few unhurried minutes | The same; if it is dark or raining, use a flashlight and note the conditions on the bill of lading |
| Body panels and bumpers | Point out every scratch, dent and chip so it is marked on the report | Look for anything not marked at pickup |
| Glass and mirrors | Note chips and cracks in the windshield, windows and mirrors | Check for new chips or cracks |
| Wheels and tires | Note curb rash and tire condition | Check for new scuffs and that every tire holds air |
| Lights | Check headlights, taillights and lenses | Look for new cracks |
| Lower body | Check rocker panels, the front lip and under the bumpers | Look for new scrapes from loading, and check the tie-down points |
| Roof | Check for dents and paint damage | Look for new marks or drips |
| Interior | Note existing stains or wear | Check nothing has changed |
| Odometer and fuel | Record the mileage and fuel level, or charge level for an EV | Check the mileage is close to the pickup reading |
| Warning lights | Note any that are already on | Start the car and look for new ones |
| Bill of lading | Check every mark is on the diagram, then sign and keep your copy | Write any new damage on it before you sign, and have the driver acknowledge it |
Photo Checklist
Your own photos are your evidence, separate from the driver’s report. Take them in daylight with the date showing, and add a slow video walk-around if you can.
- All four corners, both full sides, the front and the rear
- The roof and the hood
- Each wheel, close up
- The windshield and all glass
- The front and rear seats
- The dashboard, showing the odometer, fuel or charge level and any warning lights
- Close-ups of every existing mark
- The completed bill of lading, front and back
Take the same set at delivery, before you sign.
What Is a Bill of Lading in Car Shipping?
The bill of lading, often called the BOL or inspection sheet, is the most important document in a car shipment. It works as a receipt, an inspection report and the carrier’s contract for the trip. At pickup, the driver marks the car’s existing damage on a diagram and asks you to sign to confirm you agree with the assessment. Many inspection sheets use letter codes, such as S for a scratch or D for a dent; ask the driver to explain any code you do not recognize.
At ABC, you get one copy of the inspection sheet at pickup, and the other copies travel with the car so its condition can be compared at delivery. When you sign at delivery, you are confirming the car arrived as described. That is why a clean signature at delivery makes a later claim so hard.
Before Pickup: How to Prepare for the Inspection
- Wash the car a day or two before pickup. Dirt hides the fine scratches and chips you want on the record.
- Do your own walk-around and take the photo set above before the truck arrives.
- Make a list of existing damage, so you can check it against the driver’s diagram.
- Remove personal items, toll tags and anything loose.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
Our car shipping checklist covers the rest of the preparation.
At Pickup: Inspect the Car With the Driver
- Walk the car together. Do not leave it to the driver while you watch from a distance.
- Compare what you see with what the driver marks. If a mark you can see is not on the diagram, ask the driver to add it.
- Point out weak spots, such as a low front lip, custom bodywork or a wrap.
- Check the details: the mileage, the fuel level, your contact details and the delivery address.
- Photograph the completed bill of lading, then sign and keep your copy before the truck leaves.
If the truck cannot reach your street, you may meet the driver at a large parking lot nearby. Car carriers are up to about 80 feet long. Bring a charged phone and give yourself time to inspect properly there.
At Delivery: The Inspection That Protects You
- Do not sign straight away. Inspect first, even if the driver is in a hurry.
- Walk the car against the pickup report and your photos, looking for anything new.
- Check the same areas as at pickup, plus the tie-down points and the lower body.
- Start the car and check the mileage and warning lights.
- Write any new damage on the bill of lading before you sign, and be specific. “Three-inch scratch on the rear driver’s side door” is useful; “some damage” is not.
- Have the driver acknowledge it on the document, photograph the damage and keep your signed copy.
What a Careful Driver Inspection Looks Like
A good driver treats the inspection as part of the job, not a formality. You should expect the driver to:
- Walk around the whole car with you, not just glance at the front
- Mark every existing scratch, dent and chip on the diagram, and explain any codes
- Take photos of the car before loading
- Record the mileage and note anything already wrong, such as a warning light
- Give you a copy of the signed inspection sheet before leaving
- At delivery, give you time to inspect the car before asking you to sign
If a driver rushes you or will not add a mark you can see, write it on the bill of lading yourself before you sign, and tell the shipping company.
What If You Find Damage?
Noting the damage on the bill of lading at delivery is the first step. Then:
- Contact ABC Auto Shipping straight away with your bill of lading and your pickup and delivery photos.
- The claim goes to the carrier’s cargo insurance. Your car is insured for damage caused by the driver from pickup until delivery. Damage caused by acts of nature, and personal items left in the car, are not covered.
- Put everything in writing and keep copies, so there is a clear record.
At ABC, no claim is honored if the damage was not noted at delivery and acknowledged by the driver. If you spot something only after the driver has gone, contact us right away with photos, but the delivery inspection is the step that counts. Our guide to car shipping insurance explains who pays for what.
Special Cases
- You cannot be there. You, or an adult you name, must be present at pickup and delivery to inspect the car and sign the bill of lading. Brief that person on any existing damage and share your photos with them.
- Auction and dealer pickups. You are usually not at the yard, so ask the carrier for photos at pickup. See how to ship a car bought at auction.
- Electric cars. Note the charge level at pickup and check for warning lights at delivery.
- Classic, exotic and lowered cars. Look closely at the front lip, splitter, side skirts and wheels, which are easiest to mark during loading.
Common Inspection Mistakes
- Signing the bill of lading before inspecting the car
- Signing a clean delivery report in the dark without checking
- Not keeping a copy of the pickup report
- Relying only on the driver’s diagram, with no photos of your own
- Writing vague notes such as “some scratches”
- Leaving a dirty car for pickup, so existing damage cannot be seen
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I inspect my car before pickup?
Wash it a day or two ahead, take dated photos of every side, the roof, wheels, glass, interior and dashboard, and list any existing damage. When the driver arrives, walk the car together and check that every mark is on the bill of lading before you sign.
What is a bill of lading in car shipping?
It is the receipt, inspection report and contract for the shipment. The driver records the car’s condition on it at pickup, you sign it, and it is compared with the car’s condition at delivery.
What if I find damage after the driver leaves?
Contact the shipping company right away with photos. At ABC, claims are honored only for damage noted at delivery and acknowledged by the driver, so inspect the car fully before you sign.
Can the driver inspect my car at night or in the rain?
It happens, but it is harder to see damage. Use a flashlight, move the car under a light if you can, and write the conditions on the bill of lading. Do not sign a clean report you could not check.
Do I need to be there for the inspection?
You, or an adult you name, must be there at pickup and delivery to inspect the car and sign the bill of lading.
What should I check on the bill of lading before I sign?
That every existing mark is on the diagram, and that the mileage, fuel level, your contact details and the delivery address are correct.
Should I tip the driver after delivery?
It is optional. Our guide on whether to tip your car transport driver explains what is usual.
Ship With a Company That Takes the Inspection Seriously
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker that matches your car with an insured carrier. The driver inspects your car with you at pickup and delivery, and calls ahead before each one. There is no deposit, and you pay only once your carrier is secured. Get a free quote today.
