Dealer to Dealer Car Shipping

When placing a transport order, provide the full vehicle details – year, make, model, trim, VIN if available, and any modifications or non-standard features. Accurate information ensures the right carrier is assigned, the pricing reflects the actual vehicle, and there are no surprises on pickup day.

For auction pickups, provide the auction name, location, lot number, and any relevant auction release procedures your SAC coordinator needs to know. The more information you provide upfront, the faster dispatch happens and the fewer back-and-forth calls your team has to manage.

Before your SAC coordinator dispatches a carrier, confirm that the vehicle is ready to be released at pickup. For auction lots, this means the purchase has cleared and the title or release paperwork is available. For lot-to-lot moves, the vehicle should be accessible, have a key available, and be in a location where the driver can load it without delays.

A carrier that arrives at an auction and cannot take the vehicle due to a hold, a pending payment, or missing paperwork wastes time and may result in a return trip fee. Confirming release-ready status before dispatch is one of the most effective ways to keep dealer transport running on schedule and on budget.

Non-running vehicles require specialized handling that must be pre-arranged. If a vehicle in your inventory has a dead battery, a mechanical issue, or cannot be driven onto a standard ramp, notify your SAC coordinator before dispatch so a carrier with appropriate equipment can be assigned.

Do not send a non-operable vehicle to an auction or another lot without flagging it in advance. Last-minute disclosure of an inoperable vehicle on pickup day disrupts the carrier’s schedule and can result in loading delays or carrier refusal. A brief pre-transport operability check on each unit going into transport prevents the most common cause of dealer transport delays.

For each vehicle entering transport, take time-stamped photos before the carrier arrives – front, rear, both sides, and any areas with existing damage. The driver will complete a Bill of Lading condition report at pickup. Compare the driver’s report against your photos before signing.

For dealers moving high volumes of vehicles, this step is easy to skip under pressure – but it is the most important protection you have in the event of a damage claim. Establish a standard operating procedure in your lot for pre-transport photos on every unit that leaves on a carrier. The documentation cost is zero; the claim protection value is significant.

Before handing any vehicle over to a carrier, confirm that no personal items, dealer plates, floor mats with dealer branding, or loose accessories are left inside. Carriers are not responsible for personal items left in the vehicle, and dealer plates traveling on a transport carrier can create registration complications in other states.

For vehicles with aftermarket accessories that are being transferred with the unit – floor mats, cargo liners, window tint documentation, accessories in the trunk – make sure these items are secured and noted on the Bill of Lading if they are part of the vehicle’s value or sale agreement. Loose items in the vehicle create liability and can go missing during transit.

Keep fuel levels at approximately a quarter tank on vehicles being prepped for transport. This is enough for loading, unloading, and short repositioning moves without adding excess weight to the carrier. For dealers batching multiple units onto a single carrier, consistent fuel levels across the load help the carrier stay within weight limits.

For electric vehicles being moved between lots, ensure the battery is charged to at least 20 to 30 percent to allow for loading and unloading under the vehicle’s own power. Alert your SAC coordinator if any EV in the batch has a depleted battery so the carrier can plan accordingly.

For dealers shipping regularly, establish a consistent communication flow with your dedicated SAC coordinator. Define who on your team is the primary contact for dispatch requests, how pickup confirmations are communicated, and how delivery confirmations are logged for your records. A defined protocol reduces miscommunication and keeps the transport process running without friction.

SAC coordinators adapt to your team’s workflow – whether that is email orders, phone calls, or a shared dispatch log. The goal is to make dealer transport feel like a seamless extension of your operations rather than a separate logistics challenge you have to manage from scratch each time. Your coordinator will work with you to establish the right routine from the start of your dealer account.