Table of contents
Quick answer
You can ship a car ahead of your own move as long as someone can hand it over at pickup and someone, or somewhere, can accept it at delivery. If nobody can be at the new address yet, the usual options are a trusted person there, a terminal that holds the car until you collect it, or a storage facility that accepts vehicle deliveries. Ask about storage fees and how long a terminal will hold the car, keep insurance on it while it waits, and remember your new state's registration deadline starts from when you become a resident, not from when the car arrives.
Why ship the car ahead of time
- You are flying, and the car needs to be there when you land or soon after.
- The movers and the car carrier cannot both come the same day, or the street will not take both trucks.
- You are starting a job before your household moves, and need the car first.
- You are between homes, and the car needs somewhere to wait.
Pickup windows are a range of days, not a fixed appointment, so shipping ahead also gives you room if the truck is early or late. It is easier to hand the car over a few days before you leave than to wait for a truck on your last morning.
Handing the car over before you leave
- Book the pickup for a few days before your own departure, so a late truck does not collide with moving day.
- If you have already gone, name someone to hand the car over and tell the company who it is.
- Do the pickup inspection properly, with photos, even if you are busy packing. It is your record of the car's condition.
- Take out personal items and anything you will need in the days before the car arrives.
When the car arrives before you do
Someone, or somewhere, has to accept the car. A driver cannot usually leave it on a street and cannot wait days for you. These are the usual answers:
A trusted person at the new address
A relative, a friend or a new employer's office. They sign for the car, so brief them on the inspection.
Terminal delivery
The car goes to a yard and waits until you collect it. Ask how many free days you get and what storage costs after that.
A storage facility
Some storage businesses accept vehicle deliveries on your behalf. Confirm they will sign for it and let a carrier in.
Insurance and registration while the car waits
The carrier's coverage ends at delivery. A car sitting at a terminal or in storage is covered only by your own policy and whatever the facility provides, which may be very little. Tell your insurer where the car will be before you change or pause anything.
A simple plan
- Decide where the car will be deliveredA person, a terminal or a storage facility, confirmed before you book.
- Book with that destination in mindTell the company whether it is door-to-door or terminal delivery, and the name of whoever will sign.
- Set the pickup a few days before you leaveIt protects your moving day from a late truck.
- Keep insurance active the whole timeIncluding the days the car waits at either end.
- Collect the car and inspect itAt a terminal or storage facility, check it over before you drive away, and note any damage.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship my car before I move?
Yes. Someone needs to hand it over at pickup and someone, or somewhere, needs to accept it at delivery. A trusted person, a terminal or a storage facility can all work.
What if nobody is at the new address when the car arrives?
Arrange terminal delivery or a storage facility that accepts vehicles, or name a person to sign. A driver cannot normally leave the car unattended or wait for days.
Door-to-door vs. terminalCan a car carrier deliver to a storage unit?
Often, if the facility agrees to accept the vehicle and can give the truck access. Confirm with the facility first, and ask whether it will sign the bill of lading.
How long will a terminal hold my car?
It depends on the company. Many give a few free days and then charge storage. Ask before you book, and get the terms in writing.
When do I have to register the car in my new state?
Within your new state's deadline for new residents, which runs from when you become a resident. It varies by state.
Registering in a new state
Sources
Written and reviewed by the Haulwide editorial team. Editorial policy
