Join thousands who chose Safemile: Over 8000 vehicles transported in 2025, with an exceptional 99.8% scratch-free delivery rate. Your trust, our commitment. We deliver cars, SUVs, Trucks, ATV/UTVs, heavy equipment , motorcycles, and boats to all 50 states. Our lines are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year – because your convenience is our priority.
The Ultimate Guide to Preparing Your Car for Professional Transport
Vehicle Shipping Checklist Before Pickup
When you are shipping a vehicle, the first step is usually searching for how to ship a car across the state or across the country. After you find a reliable company to handle your vehicle transport, the next step is preparing your car for hauling.
Car transport preparation does not have to be complicated. With a few simple steps, you can help protect your vehicle, make the pickup inspection easier, and reduce the risk of problems during delivery.
Cleaning Interior and Exterior: The First Step in Preparation
You may think washing your vehicle before transport is not a big deal, but it is actually an important part of the process. Even though your car may collect some road dust during transit, especially with open transport, it should still be clean before pickup.
Exterior Wash for Better Inspection
It is very important to wash the exterior of your vehicle before the driver arrives. At pickup, you and the driver will complete a vehicle inspection together. Existing dents, scratches, paint chips, and other visible marks should be noted on the Bill of Lading.
If the vehicle is dirty, it may be difficult to see small damage clearly. A clean exterior helps make the inspection more accurate and protects both the customer and the carrier.
Interior Tidiness
Interior cleaning is not as critical as exterior cleaning, but it is still recommended. Loose items inside the vehicle may shift during transit and could damage the dashboard, seats, or interior panels.
A clean interior also makes the process more professional and allows the driver to focus on safe loading, transport, and delivery.
Documenting Vehicle Condition
Documentation is one of the most important parts of car transport preparation. The driver will complete an inspection and may take photos, but you should also take your own photos and video before the vehicle is picked up.
Important: If your vehicle is damaged during transit and the damage is not marked on the Bill of Lading, you may not be able to file a successful insurance claim.
Take High-Quality Photos
Take clear photos of the roof, front, rear, and both sides of the vehicle. Also take close-up photos of any existing dents, scratches, paint chips, or other visible marks.
Record a Date-Stamped Video
Use your smartphone to record a walkaround video of the vehicle. Capture the vehicle from all angles so its condition is documented before loading.
Document the Odometer Reading
Before the vehicle is loaded, take a close-up photo of the dashboard while the engine is running. This helps document the mileage before transport.
Removing Personal Items and Toll Tags
When preparing your car for hauling, you may be tempted to leave personal items inside the vehicle. In general, the vehicle should be empty before transport. In practice, some carriers may allow a limited amount of personal belongings, often up to 100 pounds, if they are stored securely in the trunk and kept below window level.
However, personal items are not covered by carrier insurance. The insurance policy protects the vehicle, not belongings left inside it. Avoid leaving valuables, electronics, documents, loose items, or fragile objects in the vehicle.
Toll Tags and Parking Passes
Many shippers forget to remove toll tags, but this is an important step. Remove or deactivate toll devices such as E-ZPass, SunPass, or similar systems before pickup.
If a toll tag remains active on the windshield, it may be triggered while the transport truck passes through toll plazas. This can create unexpected charges on your account.
Technical Vehicle Shipping Checklist
Before pickup, complete a few basic technical checks to help make loading, unloading, and transport safer.
- Make sure the vehicle does not have active fluid leaks.
- Check that the tires are properly inflated.
- Keep the gas tank at about one-quarter to one-eighth full.
- Disable the alarm system or provide the driver with instructions.
- Remove loose exterior accessories if they may shift or detach during transit.
Summary: Preparing Your Car for Hauling
Preparing your car for transport only takes a few steps, but it can make a big difference. A clean vehicle, proper documentation, removed personal items, disabled toll tags, and basic technical checks help make the driver’s job easier and protect your vehicle during shipment.
At Safemile Auto Transport, we work with trained and experienced drivers who understand the importance of proper pickup inspection and safe vehicle handling.
Ready to get your vehicle on the road? Contact Safemile Auto Transport today at (888) 277-8212 for a personalized quote and let our experts handle the rest.