Use this car shipping checklist to plan your move, prepare your vehicle and document its condition at pickup and delivery. Yellowfin arranges transport with a carrier; the assigned carrier’s equipment, access requirements and instructions matter. If you are still comparing services, request a personalized quote. Read the current terms and conditions alongside this checklist.
BEFORE TRANSPORT
Planning
- Planning a cross-country move? Use our cross-country car shipping guide to compare shipping with driving and plan your route, budget and pickup needs.
- Describe the shipment accurately. Provide your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle make and model, earliest available pickup date and whether the vehicle runs. Disclose modifications affecting size or weight and ground clearance below 4 inches before dispatch.
- Choose the transport type. Compare open and enclosed car shipping. Open trailers expose the vehicle to weather and debris; enclosed trailers add a physical barrier. Neither choice guarantees a damage-free shipment.
- Check the quote and agreement. Understand what is included, the broker service fee, the carrier balance and the cancellation terms before booking.
- Plan around estimates. Your first available pickup date is when the vehicle will be ready. Requested pickup and delivery dates are not guaranteed; confirm the assigned carrier’s projections and stay in contact about changes.
- Confirm access and contacts. Give accurate pickup and delivery phone numbers. If the truck cannot safely reach the addresses, arrange a nearby meeting location with the carrier. Name a representative if you cannot attend.
- Check coverage for your vehicle. Ask about the assigned carrier’s cargo policy limits and exclusions. If you want additional coverage, discuss it with your own insurer rather than assuming it is included.
Prepare Your Vehicle For Transit
- Confirm the operating condition. An operational vehicle must drive onto and off the trailer under its own power. Disclose a non-running condition before dispatch. For regular winch loading, a non-operational vehicle must roll, brake and steer; other conditions require a loading arrangement agreed in advance.
- Check tires, battery and leaks. Make sure tires are properly inflated and the battery supports the declared operating condition. Report leaks or mechanical problems before pickup so loading needs can be discussed.
- Follow the fuel limits. Current Yellowfin terms require no more than half a tank for regular transport and no more than a quarter tank for vehicles shipped from a port. Confirm any shipment-specific instructions with the carrier.
- Remove loose and detachable items. Remove or retract protruding accessories and follow the carrier’s instructions for mirrors and other fittings.
- Clear personal belongings. Remove belongings unless the carrier has approved the exception allowed by current terms. Non-port shipments may carry up to 100 lbs in the trunk or back compartment with carrier pre-approval; extra weight can incur a carrier charge. Contents are at your risk. Port shipments must contain no luggage.
- Prepare keys, alarms and toll passes. Have the required keys or remotes ready. Disarm alarms or provide the necessary remotes, and remove or deactivate electronic toll tags and parking passes.
Document Your Vehicle’s Condition Prior To Pick-Up
- Make the vehicle easy to inspect. Clean it enough to see the existing condition clearly.
- Keep a dated record. Take clear photos of the exterior, visible existing damage, interior and odometer before pickup. Keep the originals accessible for comparison at delivery.
- Prepare your paperwork. Have the dispatch details and contact numbers available. Photos support your records; they do not replace the carrier’s signed vehicle inspection report.
Document Your Vehicle’s Condition On the Day of Pick-Up
- Attend or appoint a representative. Be ready to release the vehicle at the arranged location.
- Verify the assigned carrier. Check that the carrier name on the truck matches your dispatch sheet. Contact Yellowfin before releasing the vehicle if it does not match or the driver proposes changed terms.
- Inspect with the driver. Review the vehicle condition recorded on the inspection report or Bill of Lading. Both parties should verify and sign it; do not release the vehicle without an inspection report.
- Keep a copy. Retain the signed pickup report and your photos for the delivery inspection.
Document Your Vehicle’s Condition on the Day of Delivery
- Attend or appoint a representative. Be available to accept the vehicle and make the agreed carrier payment.
- Inspect before signing. Compare the vehicle with the pickup report and photos. Record any new damage on the final inspection report before you and the driver sign; keep a copy.
- Prepare the carrier balance. Current terms call for cash or a cashier’s check on delivery. Confirm the carrier’s preferred method and exact company name in advance.
AFTER TRANSPORT
- Follow up on damage promptly. If damage occurred, retain the signed reports and photos. Current terms require payment of the remaining carrier balance, followed by contact with the carrier’s main office and then its insurance company. Coverage and claim outcomes depend on the applicable policy and agreement.
- Keep your records. Save the dispatch details, inspection reports, payment record and relevant communication.
- Share your experience. An accurate review can help future customers make a decision.
Still planning your shipment? Request a personalized Yellowfin quote with your vehicle, route and pickup needs.
