Guide, updated November 2026
What documents do you need to ship a car?
Less than most people expect. Here is the short list, the one document that really matters, and the special cases that need a little more.
- 4 min read
- 5 sections
Paperwork
- Photo ID
- At pickup and delivery
- Keys
- One set
- Title
- Usually not needed
- Bill of lading
- Check before you sign
What documents do you need to ship a car? For a car going from one driveway to another inside the U.S., not many: an ID, the keys and a couple of copies. The paperwork that matters most is created on the day, when you and the driver do a thorough on-site inspection of the car together.
The short list
| Document | Who needs it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | The person at pickup and at delivery | So the driver knows they are handing the car to the right person. |
| Keys | The driver | One set for the ignition, doors and trunk. Keep your spare. |
| Registration copy | You, just in case | Shows the car is yours if anyone asks. Keep the original out of the car. |
| Insurance copy | You, just in case | Your own policy; worth having to hand. |
| Release or gate pass | Only for dealers, auctions, storage or repair shops | Lets the facility release the car to the driver. |
| Bill of lading | Created by the carrier at pickup | The condition report, receipt and record of the shipment. |
Typical for shipments within the 48 contiguous states. Your dispatcher tells you if anything else is needed for your shipment.
Keep the title at home
You usually do not need the title to ship a car within the U.S. Never leave it, or any other original document, in the glovebox while the car travels.
The bill of lading, explained
The bill of lading, often shortened to BOL, is the one document that really matters. The driver fills it in at pickup, and it does three jobs at once:
Condition report
A diagram of the car where the driver marks every existing scratch, dent and chip you agree on together.
Shipment record
The pickup and delivery addresses, the vehicle, and the people at each end.
Receipt
Your proof that the carrier took the car, and later, that you received it.
Before you sign at pickup, check that every mark on the car is on the report, that the details are right, and that you get a copy. At delivery, compare the car with the report and your own photos, and write anything new on the delivery copy before you sign. Once it is signed clean, it is much harder to raise a question later.
Photos help here. How to prepare your car for shipping explains how to photograph the car so your record matches the BOL.
Getting your paperwork ready
Gather copies of your registration and insurance
Keep copies with you, or photos on your phone, in case anyone needs to confirm the car is yours. Do not leave originals or the title in the car.
Have photo ID ready
Whoever hands over or receives the car should have a driver’s license or other photo ID with them.
Confirm the contacts at each end
Give your dispatcher the name and phone number of the person releasing the car and the person receiving it, if that is not you.
Arrange any release paperwork
For a car at a dealer, auction, storage lot or repair shop, get the release, gate pass or buyer number the facility needs to let the driver take it.
Check and sign the bill of lading at pickup
Do a thorough on-site inspection with the driver, make sure every existing mark is noted on the bill of lading, then sign and keep your copy.
Inspect and sign again at delivery
Do another thorough on-site inspection, comparing the car with the pickup report and your photos, note anything new on the delivery paperwork, then sign.
Special cases
Buying a car from a dealer or auction
The facility will only release the car to the driver with the right paperwork, usually a release form, gate pass or buyer number. Ask the seller what they need, and send it to your dispatcher before pickup day. Dealers moving stock regularly can use dealer auto transport.
Buying from a private seller
Agree with the seller who will hand over the car and when, and give your dispatcher their name and number. The title and payment are between you and the seller; finish them before the car leaves.
A leased or financed car
Moving a leased or financed car within the U.S. is usually fine, but some agreements have rules about taking the car out of state or registering it elsewhere. Check yours first.
Someone else at pickup or delivery
Anyone you trust can stand in for you. Tell your dispatcher their name and phone number, and make sure they bring ID and know to inspect the car before signing.
Moving to a new state
Shipping the car is separate from registering it. Most states expect new residents to register their car within a set number of days, and some need an emissions or safety inspection first. Check with the motor vehicle agency in your new state.
What not to leave in the car
The car is not a filing cabinet. Take out original titles, passports, bank cards and any paperwork you would not want to lose. A few light personal belongings can stay, but over 50 lb in total adds a heavy-load fee.
Ready to book? Door-to-door car shipping covers how pickup and delivery work, and Massachusetts car shipping covers our home state.
Car shipping document questions
Still unsure? Call (413) 231-6888 any time, day or night.
What documents do you need to ship a car?
For most domestic shipments, very little: photo ID for whoever hands over and receives the car, the keys, and copies of the registration and insurance in case they are asked for. Cars collected from a dealer, auction or storage lot usually need a release or gate pass. The bill of lading is created by the carrier at pickup.
Do I need the title to ship my car?
Usually not for shipping within the 48 contiguous states. Keep the title safe at home rather than in the car. If you are buying or selling, the title transfer happens between buyer and seller, separately from the shipment.
What is a bill of lading in car shipping?
It is the document the driver fills in at pickup. It records the car’s condition, the pickup and delivery details, and acts as your receipt. You check it and sign at pickup, and again at delivery. It is the most important piece of paper in the whole shipment.
Can someone else release or receive my car?
Yes. Anyone you trust can hand over or receive the car, as long as your dispatcher knows their name and phone number in advance and they can show ID to the driver.
Can I ship a leased or financed car?
Usually, yes, within the U.S. Some lease and loan agreements have rules about moving the car out of state or registering it elsewhere, so check yours, and tell your dispatcher if the car is leased.
Should I leave my registration and insurance cards in the car?
Keep copies with you instead. Carriers generally do not need the originals, and the car should not hold valuables or important documents while it travels.
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