Buying a new ride often means you need to ship a car from a dealership or figure out how to ship auction cars. This process takes planning, whether you bought a cheap run-around or an expensive classic. Millions of cars change hands online every year.
But buyers often fail to ask the right questions about transport, which leads to unexpected costs or delays when planning online car purchase shipping. Your excitement about your new vehicle should not turn into a logistics headache. You must know exactly what to expect when arranging dealership car transport or securing an auction car hauling service. You can make the process easy.
Ready to secure trustworthy vehicle pickup service for your newly purchased car? Find competitive rates and reliable door-to-door transport options now. Get a quote for your dealership transport service today.
How Dealership And Auction Purchases Move From Lot To Transport Carrier
When you buy a vehicle, the biggest question is often, "How does the car get from the lot to the truck?" The car's release is controlled by the seller, whether it's a dealership car transport or an auto auction transport.
You must arrange a vehicle pickup service. Your chosen carrier must prove they have the right to take the vehicle.
For a traditional dealership transport service, the dealer needs a bill of sale or purchase agreement to confirm ownership. The buyer gives this paperwork to the car pickup logistics company.
Things work differently with auctions. If you need Copart car shipping or IAAI vehicle shipping, the process involves specific release forms or gate passes.
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For Copart car shipping, you provide a signed release form. The carrier cannot pick up the vehicle without it.
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For IAAI vehicle shipping, a gate pass or loading appointment is necessary.
This prevents the wrong person from driving off with your salvage car transport purchase.
If you bought a used car shipping or new car shipping vehicle from an online platform like Carvana or from a private seller, scheduling the pickup is key. Your transport company works directly with the seller to coordinate a time.
You need to prepare these documents early to avoid costly storage fees or delays. Verify that your chosen carrier is registered with the FMCSA - this checks their authority. You can check a carrier's operating status using their DOT and MC numbers.
A smooth handoff depends on your online vehicle delivery service having the proper paperwork ready. Get this organized immediately after your online car purchase shipping is complete. You can also read more about the entire process in our guide on How Auto Shipping Works.
How To Ship A Newly Purchased Car From Dealership or Auction In 2025
Moving your new purchase requires clear steps, regardless of where you bought it. Whether it is a new car shipping job or a salvage car transport need, you control the logistics. Follow this sequence for a smooth online vehicle delivery.
Here is what you must do to schedule your vehicle pickup service:
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Confirm Vehicle Readiness: Contact the seller—dealership, auction, or private party—to confirm the car is available for transport.
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Secure Paperwork: Make sure you have the necessary documentation, like the Bill of Sale, gate pass, or release form. You cannot arrange car pickup logistics without this.
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Hire Transport: Select a reliable company for your dealership transport service or auction car hauling. Provide them with accurate pickup and drop-off details.
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Confirm Pickup Details: Give your carrier the seller's name, address, and operating hours. If you are shipping from Copart car shipping or IAAI vehicle shipping, give them the lot number and buyer ID.
These four steps set up your transport. Skipping one step leads to delays and extra fees for the carrier, which you then pay. Your ship a car from seller plan needs to be tight.
Step-By-Step Process For Dealership Car Transport
When you ship a car from a dealership, the process has clear steps. Following them ensures your new car shipping or used car shipping goes smoothly.
Step 1: Confirm Release and Readiness
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After your online car purchase shipping is finalized, confirm with the dealer that the car is ready for transport.
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Ask the dealer for their exact pickup hours. They often only allow transport pickups during a specific window, such as 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Step 2: Schedule Transport and Provide Documents
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Hire your carrier for the dealership car transport. Provide them with the dealership's name, address, and the vehicle information.
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Send the carrier a copy of your Bill of Sale or purchase agreement. This proves you own the car and authorizes the pickup.
Step 3: Carrier Submits Credentials
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The transport company must send their certificate of insurance and driver's ID to the dealership staff ahead of time.
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Dealerships require this information to comply with their insurance and security rules before releasing any vehicle for car shipping near dealership.
Step 4: Transporter Arrives and Verifies
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The carrier arrives during the agreed-upon pickup hours. If they are late, they miss the window and the pickup is delayed until the next business day.
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The driver and the dealer representative perform a final inspection and sign the Bill of Lading. This document formally releases the vehicle to the dealership transport service for newly purchased car delivery.
Completing these steps correctly prevents delays. This makes your ship a car from dealership experience simple and reliable. You can read more about how preparation avoids problems in our guide on 11 Essential Car Shipping Tips for a Smooth Move.
Step-By-Step Process For Auction Car Hauling (Copart And IAAI)
Auction car hauling requires specific preparation because these lots are strict. Whether you need Copart car shipping or IAAI vehicle shipping, follow these steps for successful salvage car transport.
Step 1: Get the Release Documents
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After you buy the car, immediately obtain the required release form or gate pass from the auction platform (Copart or IAAI).
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The carrier cannot pick up the vehicle without this specific document and your Buyer ID number.
Step 2: Pay Auction Fees
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Pay all auction fees, including any required loading fees. These fees are separate from the transport cost.
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Be aware of storage charges. Auctions start charging daily fees if the vehicle sits past a short grace period.
Step 3: Hire a Carrier and Provide IDs
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Find a carrier experienced in auto auction transport. They understand the yard rules and processes.
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Give the carrier your Buyer ID, lot number, and the specific release document right away.
Step 4: Carrier Coordinates Pickup
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The carrier schedules the pickup within the auction's tight operating window.
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They often need to use a forklift for non-running cars. Salvage buyers should confirm the carrier can handle this before the driver arrives.
Step 5: Avoid Dry Run Charges
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Ensure all paperwork is perfect before the carrier arrives. If the driver shows up without the correct release, the auction charges a "dry run" fee, which you pay.
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For more complex shipping needs, like with non-running cars, read Shipping a Non-Running Car: Tips and Considerations to be fully prepared for this auction car hauling.
Ready to get the ball rolling on your newly purchased car delivery? You need a reliable auction car hauling partner who understands these complex rules. Get an instant quote and let us handle your vehicle pickup service quickly.
Price Differences When Shipping From Dealerships, Auctions, Or Online Sellers
The cost of your newly purchased car delivery changes a lot based on the seller and the car's condition. You do not pay one flat rate. You must understand the variables that affect your online vehicle delivery quote.
A new car shipping job from a dealer is often the simplest and cheapest per mile. The vehicle runs, drives, and is easy to load. You can expect rates for a 500-mile trip to range from about $600 to $850 for standard open transport. On the other hand, premium and more safer enclosed transport costs additional $350-$600, depending on the car and distance.
However, moving a salvage car transport purchase from an auction, like Copart car shipping or IAAI vehicle shipping, adds significant fees. These vehicles are often damaged, non-running, or have heavy modifications.
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Non-Running Fees: Carriers charge an extra $150 to $300 to use a winch to pull a non-running car onto the truck.
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Auction Handling Fees: Auctions charge you a mandatory service fee, and then they charge daily storage fees if your auction car hauling carrier does not pick up within 3 to 5 days. These extra costs pile up fast.
Let's look at a 500-mile shipment. A running used car shipping vehicle from a private seller might cost $650. But that same car, if it is a non-running salvage car transport purchase from Copart, could jump to over $1,000, factoring in the winch fee, gate fees, and one or two days of storage fees.
You need to know how to read your quote to avoid these hidden add-ons. The lowest price is not always the final price, especially with auto auction transport. Always ask the carrier to include any required auction fees in the total price they give you. You should review our guide on Ultimate Car Shipping Cost Guide Across the US to understand all the factors in your quote.
What Carriers Need Before Pickup And How To Avoid Release Delays
Your carrier needs complete information to get your vehicle loaded fast. For smooth car pickup logistics, you must hand over a checklist of items. Missing even one item causes a release delay.
Carriers must have:
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Release Authorization: This is the gate pass for Copart car shipping or IAAI vehicle shipping, or the signed Bill of Sale for a dealer/private ship a car from seller purchase.
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Pickup Details: The full VIN, lot number (for auctions), seller's name, and confirmed pickup hours.
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Vehicle Condition: Confirmation if the car is running, has keys, and is free of major fluid leaks. A salvage car transport requires a working winch point.
Delays happen constantly in dealership car transport and auction car hauling. The top issues are practical problems you can solve. For example, a private seller might not answer their phone when the driver is a few minutes out. Or the auction paperwork for your online car purchase shipping is delayed because fees were not paid. Sometimes, keys are missing from the auction's lockbox.
You prevent most delays by acting fast. Once the carrier confirms dispatch, immediately contact the seller. Confirm the car is ready, keys are available, and the seller knows the truck is coming.
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Call the dealership car transport manager the morning of the pickup. Confirm they received the carrier’s insurance and that the car is accessible.
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With Copart car shipping or IAAI vehicle shipping, check that the gate pass is still active and that the car has not incurred late storage fees.
Taking these steps ensures your vehicle pickup service is fast and efficient. Read more about finding reliable services in our guide on How to Choose a Car Transport Company.
Choosing The Right Pickup Logistics For Dealerships, Auctions, And Private Sellers
Selecting the right car pickup logistics partner is the final critical step. You need a company that matches the complexity of your purchase, whether it is a simple dealership car transport or complicated auction car hauling.
Evaluate providers based on their experience with the source. You want a dealership transport service that knows how to schedule efficiently with large dealers. They should be familiar with the paperwork required for a new car shipping release.
If you are dealing with salvage car transport, ask the carrier specific questions:
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Do they handle Copart car shipping regularly?
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Do they have experience with IAAI vehicle shipping yard rules, like mandatory safety gear and loading times?
A carrier familiar with auction car hauling prevents dry run fees.
For an online car purchase shipping from a platform like Carvana, the vehicle pickup service must know the handoff protocol. If you ship from Facebook Marketplace or another private seller, the carrier needs strong communication skills to coordinate with an individual who does this only once.
This expertise ensures your online vehicle delivery is not stalled by a driver who does not understand the specific rules of the pickup location. Once the car is on the truck, good providers offer tracking and constant communication. This gives you peace of mind that your newly purchased car delivery is on track. You can read more about tracking your car in our guide on track your vehicle during transit.
Common Buyer Questions About Car Transport From Dealership or Auction
You bought your vehicle. Now you have specific questions about the final steps of getting it delivered. Here are the answers to the most common queries.
Can I get a quote to ship a car from Carvana or other online car purchase shipping sites?
Yes. You can get a specific quote by providing the pickup ZIP code, the delivery ZIP code, and the car's year, make, and model. This lets the carrier arrange proper online vehicle delivery.
Does a carrier offer a specific vehicle pickup service if I ship from Facebook Marketplace?
Yes, a carrier will coordinate directly with the private seller. You must provide the seller's contact information and the pickup address for a successful ship a car from seller transfer.
What is the typical transit time for dealership car transport?
Transit time depends on the distance. Regional moves take 1 to 3 days, while cross-country new car shipping takes 7 to 14 days. Carriers schedule their dealership transport service based on the route.
What insurance is provided when I book auction car hauling?
The carrier provides basic liability insurance during transit. For peace of mind with an auto auction transport, look for companies that offer extra coverage, like AFTA GAP Protection.
What if my used car shipping vehicle is a large pickup truck? Does it cost more?
Yes, larger vehicles, like heavy-duty pickups, take up more space and add weight. This makes the car pickup logistics more expensive than shipping a standard sedan.
How do I verify if a company offering salvage car transport is legitimate?
Check their operating authority by verifying their DOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA website. A trustworthy company will be fully licensed to handle your salvage car transport needs.
Finalizing Your Newly Purchased Car Delivery
Shipping your newly purchased car delivery does not have to be difficult. Whether you need a simple dealership car transport or complex auction car hauling, the key is preparation and using the right car pickup logistics company. Understand that moving a salvage car transport from Copart or IAAI involves different steps than a new car shipping job from a dealer. You must have all paperwork ready, confirm the seller's schedule, and choose a carrier that knows the rules for your specific source. When you stay ahead of the paperwork, you avoid delays and extra fees.
Ready to secure a trustworthy vehicle pickup service for your online car purchase shipping? We offer transparent quotes and expert handling for all types of purchases. Find out how easy and simple your next transport can be. Get a free, instant quote now.
