Shipping a car starts with more than selecting an origin and destination. Clear vehicle information and a well-organized handoff help prevent avoidable confusion when your request is reviewed.
Use this checklist before arranging car shipping in Canada.
Confirm the route and handoff locations
Record the complete pickup and delivery locations. If the vehicle is at a condominium, dealership, workplace, storage facility, or another managed property, include the details needed to identify it.
Choose a contact for each end of the move. Confirm that the pickup contact can provide access to the vehicle and that the delivery contact is prepared to receive it.
Access conditions may also influence which handoff structure makes sense. Review door-to-door car shipping if you are considering collection and delivery near the addresses you provide.
Photograph the vehicle
Before handing over the vehicle, take clear photographs of its exterior from several angles. Include the wheels, glass, lights, bumpers, and any existing marks or damage.
Keep the photographs with your other shipment records. A simple written condition note can provide additional context.
Remove personal belongings
Remove personal belongings from the passenger area, trunk, door pockets, and storage compartments.
You should also remove loose or detachable accessories that could move, become damaged, or be misplaced. If an accessory must remain with the vehicle, disclose it when submitting the request.
Check the vehicle’s condition
Provide the year, make, model, body style, and operating condition. State whether the vehicle starts, rolls, and steers normally.
Disclose modifications, damage, unusual dimensions, low clearance, or other conditions that may affect handling. Do not assume that a standard arrangement will suit a modified, oversized, damaged, or non-running vehicle.
If you are considering a standard open arrangement, review open car transport, but submit the actual vehicle details before deciding.
Prepare the keys and contacts
Prepare the keys required to operate and access the vehicle. Keep them together, and do not attach unrelated personal keys.
Confirm the current telephone number or other approved contact information for the person attending each handoff. Update those details if the plan changes.
Review the request
- Pickup and delivery locations
- Vehicle year, make, model, and condition
- Preferred shipping date
- Pickup and delivery contacts
- Modifications or special circumstances
- Any unresolved access questions
Every vehicle and route is different. Accurate information provides a better basis for reviewing the available options.
If Ontario is part of the route, the Ontario car shipping page provides province-specific background without replacing a route-specific request.
Request an estimate
When the details are ready, use the Car Shipping Cost Calculator to submit your route and vehicle information.
Ready to discuss your route? Request a car-shipping estimate through the Car Shipping Cost Calculator and include your vehicle and handoff details.