Auto Shipping Glossary — Every Term Explained

**Accessorial Charges** — Extra fees beyond the base transport rate for additional services. In auto transport, common accessorials include residential pickup/delivery surcharges, inoperable vehicle fees, and expedited service premiums. Always ask about potential accessorials before booking so there are no surprises.

**Auto Carrier** — The truck-and-trailer combination used to haul multiple vehicles. A standard open auto carrier hauls 7-9 vehicles on a multi-level trailer. Enclosed carriers haul 2-6 vehicles in a fully enclosed trailer. The term also refers to the company that owns and operates the truck. Don't confuse "carrier" with "broker" -- the carrier physically moves your vehicle; the broker coordinates the shipment.

**Backhaul** — A carrier's return trip after delivering vehicles on a primary corridor. For example, a carrier running full loads from California to the East Coast needs loads heading back west. Because the carrier needs to return regardless, they'll often take shipments heading back the other way at a lower rate. If your shipment happens to run against the busy direction, you can benefit. A backhaul car may also be one of the last delivered on that run. The companies we work with price backhaul opportunities in.

**Bill of Lading (BOL)** — The most important document in auto transport. At pickup, the driver inspects your vehicle and records its condition on the BOL, including a vehicle diagram noting every scratch, dent, and imperfection. Both you and the driver sign it. At delivery, you compare the vehicle's condition to the pickup BOL. Any new damage is noted on the delivery BOL before you sign. This document is the legal baseline for damage claims. Treat it seriously.

**Binding Quote** — A price guarantee. When a company provides a binding quote, the price is locked in and cannot change, regardless of market fluctuations or carrier availability. This is what you want. A non-binding quote (also called an estimate) can be changed at any time for any reason. At American Auto Shipping, our numbers are estimates; get a binding price in writing from the company you book with.

**Broker** — A company licensed by the FMCSA to arrange vehicle transportation by connecting shippers (you) with carriers (the truck companies). Brokers don't own trucks -- they coordinate logistics. Many auto shipments are arranged this way because no single carrier runs every route. The key is working with a licensed, reputable broker with transparent estimates and licensed auto transport companies.

**Cancellation Policy** — The terms that say when you can cancel a booking, whether a fee applies and how and when any refund is paid. Every company sets its own, so read the cancellation and refund terms of the company you book before you commit. In general, cancelling before a carrier is assigned is simplest; once a driver has built your car into a route, a cancellation costs that driver a stop and may carry a fee under the terms; once the car is loaded it is usually too late.

**Cargo Insurance** — Insurance carried by the carrier that covers damage to vehicles in their care during transport. Limits vary by company, and there is usually a per-vehicle limit as well as a per-load one, so ask the company you book for its insurance certificate. This is separate from the carrier's liability insurance. For high-value vehicles, verify the carrier's cargo insurance limit covers your vehicle's full value.

**Car Hauler** — Another term for an auto carrier -- the truck-and-trailer rig that transports vehicles. Open car haulers are the most common and carry several vehicles on exposed decks; enclosed car haulers carry fewer vehicles inside a covered trailer.

**Central Dispatch** — The largest load board in the auto transport industry. Carriers and brokers post available loads and truck capacity. When a broker lists your shipment, carriers on Central Dispatch can see it and bid on it. Through us, the licensed companies we represent see your shipment and respond with their offers, and every one of them is verified before those offers reach you.

**Cash on Pickup** — Paying the driver's portion when the car is loaded instead of when it arrives. It is less common than paying at delivery, and it leaves you with less leverage if the truck runs late or breaks down, because the driver already has the money. If the company you book asks for payment at pickup, get the reason and the terms in writing.

**COD (Cash on Delivery)** — The most common arrangement for the driver's portion: the driver is paid when the car is delivered, usually by cash, cashier's check or money order. Payment terms are set by the company you book (you never pay American Auto Shipping), so ask before pickup day what is due at booking, what is due at delivery and in what form.

**Coloading** — Combining multiple shipments on a single carrier to fill available space. If a carrier has two empty spots on a hauler, filling those spots with coloaded vehicles is more efficient and cost-effective than running partially empty. Coloading benefits shippers through lower per-vehicle costs.

**Common, Contract and Private Carriers** — A common carrier is a for-hire trucking company that anyone can book; nearly every car hauler you will deal with is one, and as a for-hire motor carrier it must keep liability insurance on file with FMCSA. A contract carrier hauls under an agreement with one company. A private carrier moves only its own company's vehicles, such as a manufacturer's fleet, and isn't available to the public.

**Condition Report** — The section of the Bill of Lading where the driver documents the vehicle's current condition using a diagram and written notes. The pickup condition report is your baseline; the delivery condition report shows whether anything changed during transport.

**Deadhead** — When a carrier drives empty (no vehicles loaded) to reach a pickup location. Deadheading costs the carrier fuel and time without generating revenue, so carriers try to minimize it. If your vehicle requires a carrier to deadhead 100+ miles off their regular route, expect higher pricing. Pickups in major metro areas on high-traffic corridors have minimal deadhead, which is why they're cheaper and faster.

**Delivery Window** — The estimated timeframe for when your vehicle will arrive at the destination. Carriers provide a delivery window (not an exact time) because multi-stop routes are subject to variables: weather, traffic, earlier pickups/deliveries running long. The carrier will narrow the window to a specific day and call you 12-24 hours before arrival. You or someone you trust needs to be there to inspect the car and sign the Bill of Lading. If a full-size carrier can't get down your street, the driver will ask to meet at a nearby open lot.

**Dispatch** — The process of assigning a carrier to your shipment. Once you book, the broker dispatches your load to a carrier whose route, availability, and equipment match your needs. Dispatch also refers to the carrier's operational headquarters that manages driver assignments, routes, and schedules.

**Door-to-Door Service** — The carrier picks up your vehicle at your specified location and delivers it to your specified destination, as close to each address as the truck can safely access. This is the standard service level. The alternative is terminal-to-terminal, where you drop off and pick up at the carrier's facility. Door-to-door costs slightly more but is far more convenient.

**Driveaway** — A transport method where a professional driver physically drives your vehicle from origin to destination instead of hauling it on a trailer. Driveaway is most common for RVs and motorhomes that are too large or heavy for standard carriers. The vehicle accumulates mileage during driveaway, and fuel costs are a significant factor.

**ELD (Electronic Logging Device)** — A federally mandated device installed in commercial trucks that automatically records driving time, helping ensure drivers comply with Hours of Service regulations. ELDs replaced paper logbooks in 2017 and make it virtually impossible for drivers to exceed their legal driving hours. This is a safety regulation that protects everyone on the road.

**Enclosed Transport** — Vehicle transport using a fully enclosed trailer with walls, roof, and floor. Protects vehicles from weather, road debris, UV exposure, and visibility. Used for high-value, classic, exotic, and show vehicles. Our estimate formula prices it at about 1.5 times open transport, and it offers the highest level of protection. Enclosed trailers carry fewer vehicles than open carriers, so there are fewer of them on any route.

**Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)** — The projected date and time your vehicle will be delivered. ETAs are estimates, not guarantees, because multi-stop routes are subject to weather, traffic, and scheduling variables. Carriers update ETAs during transit as conditions evolve.

**Expedited Shipping** — Priority service that speeds up the pickup window and transit time. Expedited auto transport usually means a pickup in a day or two instead of the normal pickup window. Our estimate formula adds 20% for it. Recommended for urgent relocations, military PCS moves, and time-sensitive vehicle purchases.

**First Available Date (FAD)** — The earliest date you're ready for the carrier to pick up your vehicle. This is the starting point for your pickup window. The carrier won't arrive before your FAD but will aim to pick up within 1-5 business days after it. Providing a flexible FAD gives carriers more routing options, which often results in faster matching and lower pricing.

**Flatbed Trailer** — A flat, open trailer without sides or a roof, used for oversized vehicles, heavy equipment, and non-standard cargo. In auto transport, flatbed is used for vehicles that don't fit on a standard multi-car hauler -- lifted trucks over 7 feet tall, heavy equipment, boats on trailers, and oversized vehicles.

**FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)** — The federal agency that regulates the trucking and auto transport industries. Every auto transport broker and carrier must register with the FMCSA and maintain an active operating authority (MC number). The FMCSA enforces safety regulations, insurance requirements, and licensing standards. You can verify any company's license status at FMCSA.gov or safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. If a company isn't registered, they're operating illegally.

**GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)** — The maximum total weight a vehicle is designed to carry, including the vehicle itself, passengers, cargo, and fluids. In auto transport, GVWR matters for carriers managing weight limits across multiple vehicles on a single trailer. Federal bridge law limits total truck-plus-cargo weight to 80,000 lbs on Interstate highways.

**Guaranteed Pickup** — A premium service where the carrier commits to picking up your vehicle on a specific date rather than providing a window. Guaranteed pickup costs more than standard service because it removes the carrier's scheduling flexibility. Most shippers don't need guaranteed pickup -- a standard 1-5 day window works fine. But for time-critical situations, it's available.

**Hours of Service (HOS)** — Federal regulations that limit how long commercial truck drivers can operate. The key rules: maximum 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty, mandatory 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving, and a 14-hour on-duty window (driving plus non-driving work) after coming on duty. HOS regulations are why cross-country transit takes 7-10 days -- drivers cover roughly 350 to 500 miles a day within these limits. These rules exist for safety, and ELDs enforce compliance.

**Hot Shot** — A dedicated, single-vehicle transport using a smaller truck (typically a dually pickup with a flatbed trailer) instead of a full-size multi-car carrier. Hot shot transport is faster because the driver is hauling only your vehicle and going directly from pickup to delivery with no multi-stop routing. It's also more expensive -- essentially expedited, dedicated service. Hot shot is common for high-value vehicles, urgent deliveries, and oversized vehicles that don't fit on standard carriers.

**Inoperable Vehicle** — A vehicle that doesn't start, doesn't run, or can't be driven under its own power for loading/unloading. Inoperable vehicles require special equipment -- a winch, dolly, or forklift -- to load onto the carrier. This adds to the shipping cost -- our estimate formula adds 20% for a non-running vehicle. Always disclose if your vehicle is inoperable when requesting a quote. Misrepresenting an inoperable vehicle as running causes major problems at pickup.

**Insurance Certificate (COI)** — A document issued by an insurance company confirming that a carrier has active liability and cargo insurance coverage. Before your vehicle ships, you can request the carrier's COI to verify their coverage is current and adequate. We verify insurance for every company we work with.

**Intermodal** — Transport that uses more than one mode of transportation (e.g., truck + rail, truck + ship). In auto transport, intermodal isn't common for domestic shipments but is standard for international vehicle shipping where a truck moves the vehicle to a port and a ship carries it overseas.

**Load Board** — An online marketplace where brokers post available shipments and carriers search for loads that match their routes. Central Dispatch is the largest load board in auto transport. Through us, the licensed companies we represent see your shipment and respond with their offers, and every one of them is verified before those offers reach you.

**Linehaul** — The base transportation charge for moving freight or a vehicle from origin to destination, excluding accessorial charges, fuel surcharges, and other add-ons. In auto transport, the linehaul rate is the core price -- what the carrier charges for the actual transport.

**Lowboy Trailer** — A specialized trailer that sits very low to the ground (18-24 inches deck height) for hauling tall, heavy equipment and oversized vehicles. A Removable Gooseneck (RGN) lowboy detaches at the front to create a ramp for self-loading. Lowboys handle the heaviest loads in the transport industry.

**MC Number (Motor Carrier Number)** — A unique identifier issued by the FMCSA to authorized motor carriers and brokers. This is the most important credential in auto transport. Every legitimate company has one, and you can verify it at FMCSA.gov. The MC number confirms the company is federally authorized to operate. If a company won't provide their MC number, walk away.

**Multi-Car Carrier** — The standard auto transport vehicle: a truck pulling a two-level trailer that carries several vehicles at once. Open multi-car carriers are the workhorses of the auto transport industry, and most shipped cars ride on one. The trailer has upper and lower decks, with vehicles secured using ratchet straps and wheel nets.

**Non-Binding Estimate** — A price quote that is not guaranteed and can be changed at any time. In auto transport, non-binding estimates are the tool of bait-and-switch operators -- they quote a low non-binding price to win your booking, then raise it later. Always get the final price in writing from the company you book before pickup.

**Not-to-Exceed Quote** — A pricing structure where the quoted amount is the maximum you'll pay, but you might pay less if the carrier accepts a lower rate. This is a consumer-friendly pricing model that some brokers use. Whatever the structure, get the final price in writing from the company you book with.

**Open Transport** — The standard auto transport method using open (uncovered) multi-car haulers. Vehicles are exposed to weather and road dust but are professionally secured with straps and wheel nets. Open transport is the most affordable option and perfectly safe for everyday vehicles.

**Operating Authority** — The legal permission granted by the FMCSA for a company to operate as a motor carrier or broker. Without operating authority, a company cannot legally transport vehicles or arrange transportation for hire. Active operating authority is verified through the FMCSA's SAFER system.

**Oversize Load** — Any vehicle or cargo that exceeds standard legal dimensions: 8.5 feet wide, 13.5 feet tall, or 53 feet long (for a single trailer). Oversize loads require special permits from each state on the route, may require escort (pilot) vehicles, and cost significantly more due to permit fees and reduced carrier speed.

**Pickup Window** — The timeframe during which the carrier will arrive to collect your vehicle, typically 1-5 business days from your first available date. The carrier narrows this to a specific day and calls 12-24 hours ahead. A flexible pickup window lets a driver fit your car into a route sooner, and often costs less.

**Port-to-Port** — Shipping by sea from one port to another. It is how cars reach Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam and other territories, and how they go overseas. A truck usually carries the car from your door to the departure port; the car waits there for its sailing, and you or someone you authorize collects it at the destination port.

**POV (Privately Owned Vehicle)** — Military terminology for a service member's personal vehicle. During PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves, the military may ship one POV at government expense for OCONUS assignments. The term is used extensively in military relocation logistics.

**Prepaid Order** — Paying the full shipping price up front before the car is picked up, rather than paying the driver at delivery. If a company asks for everything in advance, read its refund terms first and pay with a card you can dispute.

**RGN (Removable Gooseneck)** — A type of lowboy trailer where the front section detaches to create a ground-level ramp. Equipment can be driven directly onto the trailer under its own power, eliminating the need for a crane. RGN trailers are the standard for heavy equipment transport.

**RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off)** — An international shipping method where vehicles are driven onto a cargo ship, secured to the deck, and driven off at the destination port. RORO is the most common and affordable method for shipping vehicles overseas. The alternative is container shipping, where the vehicle is loaded into a standard shipping container. For a standard vehicle, RORO usually costs less than a container.

**Snowbird Season** — The annual migration of residents from northern states to warm-weather destinations (primarily Florida and Arizona) in fall, and back north in spring. Snowbird season creates massive demand spikes on specific auto transport corridors: October-November heading south, March-April heading north. Prices on those corridors rise during the peak weeks, so book early if you can.

**Step-Deck Trailer** — A flatbed trailer with a lowered rear deck that provides extra height clearance for tall cargo. The front section rides at standard flatbed height for the gooseneck connection, then drops down (steps) for the cargo deck. Step-decks are used for vehicles and equipment that exceed the 13.5-foot height limit on a standard flatbed.

**Soft Straps** — Tie-down straps made of nylon webbing with padded or coated contact points, used to secure vehicles without scratching paint, chrome, or bodywork. Reputable auto carriers use soft straps exclusively. Hard metal hooks or chains against your vehicle's finish are a red flag.

**Terminal-to-Terminal** — A transport service where you drop off your vehicle at the carrier's terminal (facility) and pick it up at a terminal near the destination, rather than having the carrier come to your door. Terminal-to-terminal is slightly cheaper than door-to-door because it eliminates the carrier's detour into residential areas. The tradeoff is convenience -- you need to get your vehicle to and from the terminals yourself.

**Tie-Down** — The straps, chains, or webbing used to secure a vehicle to the carrier trailer during transport. In auto transport, tie-downs typically include ratchet straps attached to the vehicle's frame or designated tie-down points, plus wheel nets that cradle each tire. Proper tie-down prevents the vehicle from shifting during braking, acceleration, and cornering.

**Transit Time** — The number of days your vehicle spends on the carrier from pickup to delivery, not including the pickup window. Our estimates assume about 350 to 500 miles a day: roughly 2 to 4 days for a 500-mile trip and 7 to 10 days coast to coast.

**Wheel Chock** — A wedge or cradle placed against the vehicle's tires to prevent rolling during transport. On motorcycle carriers, wheel chocks are metal or rubber cradles that lock the front wheel in an upright position. On auto carriers, chocks work in conjunction with tie-down straps to fully immobilize the vehicle.

**Wheel Net** — A heavy-duty strap system that wraps over and around the vehicle's tire and wheel, securing it to the trailer deck. Wheel nets are a primary securing method on multi-car carriers because they don't contact the vehicle's body or frame -- only the tire and wheel.

**Winch** — A mechanical device used to pull inoperable vehicles onto a carrier trailer. Carriers equipped with winches can handle non-running vehicles that can't be driven onto the trailer under their own power. Winch loading adds to the transport cost and must be arranged in advance.