3 MIN
May 26, 2022
Auto Transport Documents: Complete Checklist for Car Shipping in 2026
Auto transport requires five documents for a standard domestic shipment: a government-issued ID, vehicle registration or title, current proof of insurance, the transport agreement signed at booking, and the Bill of Lading signed at pickup and delivery. The Bill of Lading is the most critical – it is the legal record of vehicle condition at both handoff points and the primary evidence for any damage claim. Missing or incomplete documentation at pickup can delay loading, void insurance coverage for damage, or result in denied claims at delivery.
Complete Auto Transport Documents Checklist
Auto transport requires different documents at different stages – some before booking, some at pickup, some at delivery. Missing a document at the wrong moment can delay loading, void a damage claim, or result in refused pickup.
| Document | When Needed | Purpose | Critical Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government-issued ID | At booking and pickup | Identity verification | Driver’s license or passport |
| Vehicle registration or title | At booking | Proof of ownership and vehicle details | Must match vehicle being shipped |
| Current proof of insurance | At booking | Required by most FMCSA carriers before accepting vehicle | Must be valid through estimated delivery date |
| Transport agreement | At booking | Contract stating price, terms, and cancellation policy | Read before signing; keep a copy |
| Certificate of insurance (carrier’s) | Before signing transport agreement | Confirms carrier’s cargo coverage amount and deductible | Request from carrier; minimum $100,000 cargo coverage |
| Bill of Lading — pickup | At pickup | Legal record of vehicle condition before loading | Sign only after all pre-existing damage is documented |
| Bill of Lading — delivery | At delivery | Confirms vehicle condition at delivery | Inspect vehicle before signing; note any new damage first |
| Power of Attorney | If owner not present | Authorizes third party to sign on owner’s behalf | Must be notarized in some states |
The Bill of Lading and the carrier’s certificate of insurance are the two documents most shippers overlook – and the two with the most financial consequences if missing or incorrectly signed.
Additional documents for specific situations:
Standard domestic transport requires only the documents above. The situations below require additional paperwork – confirm requirements with your carrier at booking, not at pickup.
| Situation | Additional Document |
|---|---|
| Leased vehicle | Written authorization from lienholder or leasing company |
| Financed vehicle with outstanding loan | Lien release or lender authorization letter |
| Military PCS move (CONUS) | Copy of PCS orders |
| International shipping | Customs declaration forms, destination country import requirements |
| Classic or high-value vehicle | Appraisal document for agreed-value insurance coverage |
For leased and financed vehicles, lender authorization is the most frequently missed document – carriers may refuse pickup without it if the title shows a lienholder. Contact your lender 1–2 weeks before the scheduled pickup date to allow processing time.
Carrier Insurance Certificate – What to Check
Before you sign on the dotted line to have your car transported by any shipping service, you must receive this essential component of documentation. This document contains the company’s insurance information, as well as specifics on what is and is not covered. This is important to have on hand in case something goes wrong throughout the shipping process, and it’s also useful to have on hand to ensure that the company you’re working with is legit.
You will want to ask to see this document before you get a bid from any company that you are thinking of working with to move your vehicle to your new home. This is an important aspect of a shipping company’s effective administration, and no company worth working with will be without insurance papers that you can easily obtain.
The carrier’s certificate of insurance is a separate document from your personal auto insurance and must be requested before signing the transport agreement – not after.
What to verify on the carrier’s insurance certificate:
| Item | What to Check | Minimum Acceptable |
| Cargo insurance | Active coverage for vehicle transit damage | $100,000 per load |
| Per-vehicle coverage | Some policies cover $100,000 total across all vehicles on the carrier | For vehicles over $15,000, confirm per-vehicle limit |
| Deductible | Amount subtracted from any claim payout | Confirm – typically $250–$1,000 |
| Policy expiration | Certificate must be current | Valid through estimated delivery date |
| Named insured | Carrier company name on the policy | Must match the company you are booking with |
For classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles: Standard cargo insurance may not cover agreed value or market value for vehicles with difficult-to-establish prices. Request the carrier’s policy on high-value vehicles specifically. Consider purchasing supplemental transport insurance through a specialty provider if the carrier’s coverage is insufficient.
Verify the carrier’s FMCSA registration at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before requesting insurance documents – a carrier without active FMCSA registration is operating illegally and any insurance certificate they provide may be unenforceable.
The Bill of Lading – What It Is and Why It Matters
The Bill of Lading (BOL) is a legal document that serves three functions simultaneously: a receipt confirming the vehicle was handed to the carrier, a contract recording the agreed transport terms, and an inspection report documenting vehicle condition at pickup and delivery.
There are two Bills of Lading in every auto transport shipment:
Pickup BOL: Signed when the carrier arrives to load the vehicle. The driver and shipper inspect the vehicle together and document all pre-existing damage – every scratch, dent, chip, and scuff – before the vehicle is loaded. Both parties sign. This document becomes the baseline for all damage claims.
Delivery BOL: Signed when the vehicle is delivered. You inspect the vehicle against the pickup BOL and your pre-transport photos before signing. If new damage is present, it must be noted in writing on the delivery BOL before signing – describing it specifically (“3-inch scratch on left rear quarter panel”) not vaguely (“possible damage”).
Critical rules for both BOLs:
What to do if damage is found at delivery: Note damage on the delivery BOL before signing. Photograph immediately. File a written damage claim with the carrier within 24–48 hours. If the carrier does not respond within 30 days, file a complaint at fmcsa.dot.gov.
The most consequential document in auto transport is the Bill of Lading – a signed clean BOL at pickup or delivery voids damage claims regardless of what actually happened. The second most consequential is the carrier’s certificate of insurance – total cargo coverage divided across 8–10 vehicles on a shared carrier may provide only $10,000–$15,000 effective per-vehicle coverage. Review both documents carefully before signing anything.
Truck Spot Logistics connects shippers with FMCSA-licensed carriers across all 48 contiguous states. Get a free quote with confirmed insurance coverage and itemized transport terms.
FAQ
What documents do I need to ship a car?
Standard auto transport requires: government-issued ID, vehicle registration or title, current proof of insurance, the signed transport agreement, and the carrier’s certificate of insurance. At pickup, you sign the Bill of Lading documenting pre-existing vehicle condition. At delivery, you sign the delivery Bill of Lading after inspecting the vehicle. If someone else handles pickup or delivery on your behalf, a notarized Power of Attorney is required.
What is a Bill of Lading in auto transport?
A Bill of Lading (BOL) is a legal document signed at pickup and delivery that records vehicle condition at both handoff points. The pickup BOL documents all pre-existing damage before loading – it is the baseline for any damage claim. The delivery BOL is signed after inspecting the vehicle at delivery. Never sign a clean BOL if damage is present – a signed clean receipt voids damage claims regardless of actual vehicle condition.
Do I need to provide proof of insurance to ship my car?
Most FMCSA-licensed carriers require current proof of insurance before accepting a vehicle for transport. Your personal auto insurance does not need to cover the transport itself – the carrier’s cargo insurance covers transit damage. However, some carriers use proof of insurance to verify vehicle ownership and condition documentation. Ensure your personal policy is active through the estimated delivery date. Request the carrier’s certificate of insurance separately – minimum $100,000 cargo coverage is required by FMCSA.
What happens if I don’t have all documents at pickup?
Missing documents at pickup can delay loading until they are provided. Most carriers require a government-issued ID and vehicle registration at minimum – without these, the driver may refuse to load. A missing Power of Attorney when the owner is not present results in refused pickup. Missing or incomplete Bill of Lading documentation – such as undocumented pre-existing damage – cannot be corrected after the vehicle is loaded and will prevent damage claims at delivery.
Do I need the vehicle title to ship a car?
Vehicle registration is sufficient for most domestic auto transport – you do not need the original title for a standard CONUS shipment. The title is required if you are shipping a vehicle you recently purchased and the title has not yet been transferred, or for international shipping where customs requires proof of ownership. For financed vehicles, a lien release or written lender authorization may be required by some carriers before accepting the vehicle.
What is a Power of Attorney for auto transport?
A Power of Attorney (POA) for auto transport is a document that authorizes a designated third party to sign the Bill of Lading on the vehicle owner’s behalf at pickup or delivery. It is required when the registered owner cannot be physically present at either handoff point. Some states require the POA to be notarized. The POA must identify the authorized person by name and specify that they are authorized to sign transport documents on the owner’s behalf.
