What Should I Expect on Auto Transport Pickup Day?

Pickup day for your car shipping arrives faster than you think. As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., an auto transport broker Texas-based and nationwide, I've seen it all. People panic. They forget basics. Don't be that guy. This guide cuts through the noise. Expect realism, not fluff. We'll cover prep, inspection, paperwork, and post-pickup steps. Our vetted insured carriers handle the rest. With our 72-hour pickup windows and honest quotes, you get door-to-door car shipping how it works without surprises.

What Should I Do to Prepare My Vehicle for Pickup?

Prep starts days ahead. Clean your vehicle inside and out. Why? Damage inspection needs clear views. Roads kick up gravel. Bugs smash windshields. Document everything with photos now.

Remove antennas if they fold. Lower convertible tops. Disable alarms. These snag on car carriers. Check tires. Inflate to recommended PSI. Locks work. Fluids full. No leaks.

Carriers hate surprises. A dead battery mid-load wastes everyone's time. Non-running vehicles? Tell us upfront. We specialize in shipping a non-running vehicle what to know.

How Much Gas Should I Leave in the Tank?

Quarter tank max. That's the rule. Less if possible. Full tanks weigh extra. They slosh. Risk fires in accidents. Carriers won't refuse, but expect delays or fees.

Why quarter? Drive-on, drive-off needs some juice. Open car carrier transport cost stays low this way. Idling during multi-car loads burns it fast. Save money. Keep it simple.

What Personal Items Can (or Can't) I Leave Inside?

Federal rules limit this. No loose items. They fly in crashes. Damage claims skyrocket.

Allowed: trunk items under 100 lbs total. Floor mats. Spare tire if secured.

Banned: glass, hazardous materials, plants, animals. No suitcases rolling around.

Pro tip: Ship valuables separately. Our nationwide vehicle shipping door to door focuses on your car. Not your luggage.

What Happens During the Carrier's On-Site Inspection?

Carrier pulls up. Driver exits truck. Clipboard in hand. Walk-around starts. No rush.

You inspect together. Note dents, scratches, rust. Existing damage first. Driver marks Bill of Lading (BOL). Digital or paper. Photos too, with our VIN scans at booking.

Open hood? Sometimes. Check fluids if issues noted. Interior quick scan. No deep clean.

Driver loads. Straps secure. Final check.

This protects everyone. Brokers like us buffer issues. Carriers focus on roads. We handle customer experience.

How Does the Bill of Lading (BOL) Process Work?

BOL is your contract snapshot. Both sign. Notes damages. Mileage. VIN.

Take photos of signed BOL. Keep copy. Driver gets one. We archive ours.

Dispute later? BOL rules. No notes mean pre-existing. Our Stripe deposits ensure carriers show committed.

What If I Disagree with the Driver's Damage Notes?

Speak up. Now. Politely. Point to photos. Add your notes.

Driver resists? Call us immediately. We vet carriers. Insured ones only. No fly-by-nights.

Refuse load if needed. Rare. But your right. Better safe than sorry claims.

How Long Does the Pickup Process Actually Take?

30 minutes to an hour. Depends on access. Weather. Truck type.

Open carriers faster. Enclosed auto transport for luxury cars takes longer. Doors seal tight.

Multi-car loads? Driver juggles schedule. Patience pays.

Door pick-up and delivery car transport service shines here. No terminals.

What Is a Realistic Pickup Window After Booking?

Expect 1-7 days. Peak seasons stretch. Our 72-hour pickup windows beat industry average.

Cross-country? How long does car shipping take cross country varies. Texas to California? 7-14 days transit.

Book early. Honest quotes upfront. No bait-and-switch.

| Factor | Typical Time | AMG Advantage |

|--------|--------------|---------------|

| Booking to Pickup | 1-10 days | 72-hour windows |

| On-Site Process | 30-60 min | Vetted carriers |

| Full Load Secure | 15-30 min | Experienced teams |

What Should I Do Immediately After the Carrier Departs?

Double-check BOL. Photos of load. Truck details: DOT number, carrier name.

Email us updates. Track via portal if available.

Notify insurance. Update registration if moving.

Relocating to Florida ship car from Texas? We got you.

Watch for delivery window. Call ahead.

Issues? Our broker relationship fixes fast. Carriers invest in us. We invest in you.

Why Choose AMG Transport Co. for Your Auto Transport?

Industry's fraud-filled. Carriers dodge people problems. Rightly so. Roads kill. Payments flake.

Brokers buffer. We do sales, coordination, systems. Vetted insured carriers only. Stronger customer experience. Reasonable rates.

Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. Door-to-door. Honest quotes. VIN scans. Stripe deposits.

Don't risk it. Get your free quote today. Make AMG your no-brainer choice.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.