There are generally five steps to having your vehicle shipped. These vehicle shipping steps remain the same whether your vehicle is being shipped across the country, or across the state. The initial process begins with an inquiry into the auto shipping company, and the services that they provide. If you decide to go ahead, you will be given an automobile shipping quote.

The auto transport company surveys the vehicle for damages, or any noticeable problems. This initial auto transportation survey is completed with both parties present, and often takes less than a few minutes. The automobile shipping company knows what to look for, thus the survey being a quick process.

If shipping by rail:
If you choose to have the car picked up from your location a flat bed truck will arrive to pick up the car and bring it to the vehicle shipping location of the train. The vehicle is than loaded into specifically designed rail cars to minimize the risk of damage to the vehicle. When rail is used for shipping a vehicle it is tied down with technology than enables the vehicle to depend on its own suspension. It is rare that damage will occur to the vehicle while being shipped in these rail cars. These are similar rail cars that are used to transport new vehicles to dealerships across the country.

The vehicle is than sent through the process of the auto transport service. Depending on the delivery destination, it could take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. Often, auto shipping companies will provide tracking information, and you are able to locate the vehicle at all times.

When the vehicle reaches the transport location it is than carefully unloaded from the train, and taken to the delivery location, or the depot on auto transport trailers. Payment for the auto transport is arranged ahead of time most often, and you are free to drive your vehicle off of the lot, or have it delivered to your home.