Most parents booking a college move have never used auto transport before. The industry is full of jargon (BOL, FMCSA, dispatch, broker vs. carrier, USDOT, MC number), competing pricing models, and the kind of fine print designed to confuse rather than inform. This page is the cheat sheet — what you actually need to know to evaluate a service, ask the right questions, and not get oversold.
Cover the basics: how the industry works, what the deposit covers, what insurance actually does, what to ask before booking, and how to spot a sketchy operator. Then call us with any of your specific questions.
Auto transport in the US is dominated by two types of companies: brokers and carriers. Brokers don’t own trucks — they take your booking, then dispatch it to a carrier (a trucking company that owns the trailers). Carriers do own trucks but typically don’t run their own customer service operations. Most online auto transport companies are brokers; most actual transport is done by carriers.
We operate as a licensed broker: we handle the booking, customer service, dispatch, payment processing, and post-pickup coordination. The actual truck and driver are FMCSA-licensed carriers we vet and dispatch. This is the standard industry model and works well when the broker actually does the work of vetting carriers and managing the customer relationship instead of just handing the booking off and disappearing.
The math is simple. Carrier rates are competitive and largely standardized — on a given day, the cost to move a sedan from Atlanta to Gainesville is what it is, give or take a few percent based on capacity. The variation between brokers is largely in markup, customer service quality, and how much hand-holding you get when something goes sideways. Cheap brokers cut corners on customer service. Expensive ones often just charge more for the same carrier work.
How to tell the difference between a legitimate auto transport operation and one that should be avoided.
These are the indicators of an established, properly-licensed operation that will actually deliver on what they quote.
These are the patterns we see from operators who will quote low, change the price after pickup, or disappear when something goes wrong.
Get an all-in price including any fuel surcharges, terminal fees, or insurance add-ons. Reputable brokers quote flat rates with everything included.
A small deposit at booking is normal ($150–$300). Anyone asking for the full payment upfront is a red flag.
You should know the carrier’s name, MC number, and driver phone before pickup. If the broker won’t share these, walk away.
Cancellation terms should be clear and reasonable. Standard practice: full refund of deposit if cancelled before carrier dispatch.
When the driver arrives, here’s what should happen. If any of these steps gets skipped, push back — this is the protection both you and the driver need.
A 1- to 3-hour window is normal. If the driver is more than 2 hours late without communication, call the broker.
Driver photographs and notes existing damage. You should be present and verify the inspection is thorough.
Read the BOL before signing. Existing damage is documented; condition at pickup is the baseline for any later insurance claim.
Not the dispatch line, not the broker number — the driver’s actual cell. You’ll want to reach them during transit and at delivery.
Watch the driver strap down the vehicle. Wheel straps or chassis tie-downs both work; loose tie-downs do not.
Driver gets the working key. Keep the spare with whoever is receiving the vehicle on the delivery end.
Yes. Auto transport is how every dealership in America gets new inventory delivered, and the same FMCSA-licensed carriers handle personal vehicle moves. Vehicles are strapped to trailers using wheel straps or chassis tie-downs, with full cargo insurance from pickup to delivery. Safety is the standard, not the exception.
Every carrier we dispatch is FMCSA-licensed with active operating authority and current cargo insurance on file. Before pickup, we share the driver’s name, direct phone number, USDOT and MC numbers, and the carrier’s insurance certificate. You can verify any of it independently at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before signing the bill of lading.
We collect a $200 deposit at booking confirmation, which secures the carrier and your pickup window. The balance is due directly to the driver at delivery — typically by cash, certified check, Zelle, Venmo, or some carriers accept credit cards. We’ll confirm the carrier’s payment options before pickup.
Damage is rare but does happen. Cargo insurance covers any damage that occurred in transit. The bill of lading inspection at delivery is the critical step — note any new damage on the form before signing, take photos, and the claim is filed against the carrier’s insurance. Our team helps coordinate the claim if needed.
Yes. Once the carrier is dispatched, you have the driver’s direct phone number and can call or text for an ETA at any point. Most drivers also share GPS tracking via SamsaraGo or KeepTruckin. We don’t have a fleet-wide tracking app, but the driver-direct contact gives you live updates.
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