Published March 9, 2026 Category: Guides

What Happens on Delivery Day? A Step-by-Step Guide

Your car is on the truck and headed your way. Here's exactly what to expect when the carrier arrives, how to inspect your vehicle, and what to do if something looks off.

auto transport car shipping delivery day vehicle inspection bill of lading car delivery process

Your Car Is Almost There

You've gotten the call — your car is a few hours out. Now what? Delivery day is straightforward if you know what to expect. Here's the full play-by-play.

Before the Carrier Arrives

1. Confirm the delivery location.

The driver will call you (or your designated contact) when they're 30-60 minutes away. Make sure the delivery address is accessible for a large truck. Carriers are 75+ feet long — they can't always fit down narrow residential streets or into tight parking lots.

If your street won't work, arrange to meet the driver at a nearby parking lot, shopping center, or wide intersection. This is normal and happens on about 30% of deliveries.

2. Be available.

Someone needs to be there to receive the car — either you or someone you trust with authority to sign the paperwork. If nobody is home when the driver arrives, they can't just leave the car.

3. Have your phone charged.

You'll want to take photos.

When the Carrier Arrives

1. The driver unloads your car.

They'll carefully drive it off the carrier. This takes a few minutes. Let them work — they do this dozens of times a day.

2. You do a walk-around together.

This is the most important part. Walk around the entire car with the driver and compare the current condition to the Bill of Lading (BOL) — the condition report that was filled out at pickup.

Check:

3. Take photos.

Even if everything looks perfect, take photos from every angle. Timestamped. This takes 2 minutes and protects you completely.

If Your Car Looks Good

Sign the delivery BOL, shake the driver's hand, and you're done. Most deliveries go exactly like this — no drama.

If You Spot Damage

Don't panic, but don't ignore it either. Here's what to do:

1. Note it on the BOL. Write a description of the damage directly on the delivery paperwork. Be specific: "New scratch on rear passenger door, approximately 6 inches, not on pickup BOL."

2. Take close-up photos of the damage.

3. Have the driver acknowledge it. They may not agree it happened during transport, and that's okay — what matters is that it's documented on the BOL.

4. Contact your broker immediately. At AMG, we start the claims process the same day. Don't wait a week.

Critical: If you sign the BOL saying "no damage" and then call the next day with a claim, it becomes very difficult to prove the damage happened during transport. Always inspect before signing.

What About the Keys?

The driver will hand your keys back at delivery. If you gave a spare at pickup, make sure you get both copies back.

Payment at Delivery

Depending on your contract, you may owe a remaining balance at delivery. This is usually paid to the carrier directly — often in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Your broker will tell you the exact amount and method before the truck arrives.

At AMG, we make sure you know exactly what's due and to whom before delivery day. No surprises.

After Delivery

Give your car a good wash. Road grime from transport is normal — it's the same stuff that would accumulate on a road trip. Check that everything works: start the engine, test the lights, roll the windows up and down, check the AC.

If something mechanical feels off that wasn't there before, document it and contact your broker right away.

Quick Delivery Day Checklist

The Bottom Line

Delivery takes about 15-20 minutes. The inspection is the key part — be thorough, be polite, and document everything. Drivers appreciate customers who are prepared. And if there is an issue, having documentation makes the resolution process fast and fair.

Planning a shipment? Get your quote here — we'll walk you through the whole process.

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