When you book your shipment with an auto transport company they’re going to ask you some specific information regarding the vehicle you are shipping. While they won’t ask for anything private or anything of that nature, some of the information that your transportation representative will take will be a bit beyond the normal year, make and model of the vehicle.
In this article we’re going to break down what they’re usually going to ask you for as well as why they ask for it. Usually it’s for identification purposes but there are some that may surprise you. Some of the information you gather may also be asked for again by the auto transport truck driver when your vehicle is picked up, though usually it’s given to them by your representative.
The most commonly asked for piece of information is the year, make and model of the vehicle. This is to figure out how big of a vehicle they will be shipping as well as how much it is worth for insurance purposes.
The year, make and model will always be required, so you should always have that on hand when looking for quotes or booking an order. Aside from that they’ll likely ask you for the color of your vehicle or perhaps what specific trim model it is, particularly if you’re shipping a pickup truck or a sport utility vehicle.
Color helps differentiate vehicles particularly if they’re coming from an auction or a dealership. That’s also why they will ask for a VIN, or vehicle identification number. This can be always be found somewhere on your vehicle, and you can refer to your owner’s manual for where it is located or even look up your specific vehicle online to find out where it is located. This is also quite important as it is the most surefire way to determine that it is the correct vehicle upon pickup.
The license plate number and the current mileage will likely be procured upon pickup of the vehicle and written down on your Bill of Lading. These are important not just for identification of the vehicle upon pickup, but also to make sure that the carrier does not do something unscrupulous such as swap out your vehicle for a different vehicle, or go joyriding in your vehicle like in the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
These types of actions are quite illegal and can result in huge fines and jail time for any driver caught doing it, so no one really does. Still, just because you live in a safe neighborhood doesn’t mean you leave your doors unlocked at night, does it? It’s basically just an additional assurance for the customer as well as for official transportation records.
If you have questions or concerns about the content in this article, feel free to call us directly at 800-930-7417 to speak to one of our live auto transport agents, who can explain in greater detail the information presented in this or any article you encounter on our website.
If you need an auto transport quote, fill out our free online form and you will get a free quote to ship your vehicle right away. If you would prefer a more human approach, give us a call to speak to a live agent. They can answer questions, give you a quote, and even help you book your order if you’re ready to ship.
Since 2007 Dave has written all the content and blogs for American Auto Shipping and during this time added the duties of customer support and transport logistics.
He currently resides in Washington with his three kids and their mom and cat. A fan of Marvel movies and good stories, when not shipping cars Dave can be found working on his novel, enjoying a good book or playing some tournament HALO.
- When to go with an Enclosed Transport - October 2, 2023
- Understanding California’s EV Mandate - August 1, 2023
- Top Reasons Auto Shippers Are Delayed - January 9, 2023