How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Shipping: A Step-by-Step Checklist

To prepare a car for shipping, wash it and photograph every side, take out personal items and toll tags, leave about a quarter tank of fuel, check the tires and battery, turn off the alarm, and tell the transport company about anything unusual. Then walk around the car with the driver at pickup and make sure the bill of lading matches what you see.

Here is each step in order.

1. Have the paperwork ready

Keep your photo ID and the car's registration handy. If the car has a loan or a lease, check whether the lender needs to know it's being moved. The driver brings the bill of lading, which you sign at pickup. If someone else will release the car for you, give them the order details and the transport company's number.

2. Wash the car and take photos

Dirt hides scratches. Wash the car a day or two before pickup so existing damage is easy to see. Then photograph every side, the roof, the wheels, close-ups of any scratches, dents or chips, and the odometer. Your phone records the date and time. These photos are your own record to compare against at delivery.

3. Do a few basic checks

• Tires inflated to the normal pressure
• Battery charged, so the car starts for loading and unloading
• No active leaks. A car that drips may need to go on a lower deck, so mention it.
• Parking brake works

If the car doesn't run, it can still be shipped, but it needs different equipment. Say so when you ask for a quote, and say whether it rolls, steers and brakes.

4. Take out personal items

Items left in the car usually aren't covered by the carrier's insurance, and they can shift on the trailer. Clear out the cabin, the trunk and the glove box. Remove toll tags and parking passes so you aren't charged for tolls on the truck's route. Take off anything loose on the outside, like a bike rack or a removable antenna. Our car shipping insurance guide explains what is and isn't covered.

5. Fuel, alarm and keys

• Fuel: about a quarter tank. Enough to drive on and off the truck, without extra weight.
• Electric vehicles: enough charge to load and unload, and to reach a charger at the other end.
• Alarm: turn it off, or tell the driver how to.
• Keys: the driver needs a working key for the car. Keep spares yourself.

6. Write down anything unusual

A tricky ignition, a door that only opens from inside, a kill switch, low ground clearance or an aftermarket lift all change how the car is loaded. Tell the transport company when you book, and tell the driver again at pickup.

7. Confirm the pickup details

Confirm the pickup window, the address and who will be there. If the street is narrow, a large truck may need to meet you at a nearby open lot. At FCT, the driver and truck are confirmed before pickup, and you can follow the order in the client portal at fctorders.com.

8. Inspect the car with the driver

At pickup, walk around the car with the driver and make sure every existing mark is noted on the bill of lading before you sign. Keep your copy. At delivery, do the same walk-around before signing again, and write any new damage on the bill of lading. Our guide on checking in a delivered car covers that end.

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to ship my car?

Usually a photo ID and the car's registration. If the car has a loan or lease, check whether the lender needs to know. The driver brings the bill of lading for you to sign at pickup.

Can I leave personal items in my car when it's shipped?

Take them out. Items in the car usually aren't covered by the carrier's insurance, and they can shift and cause damage on the trailer.

How much gas should be in my car before shipping?

About a quarter tank. That's enough to drive it on and off the truck without adding extra weight.

Why should I wash my car before pickup?

A clean car makes scratches, dents and chips easy to see, so they can be noted on the bill of lading and in your photos.

Can a car that doesn't run be shipped?

Yes. It needs different equipment, such as a winch, so say so when you ask for a quote.

Car ready to go?

FCT ships cars anywhere in the continental U.S., with one point of contact from quote to drop-off. Request a quote or call (980) 552-1101. For the whole process, see our car shipping guide.