Resources
Auto transport terminology
Twenty terms you will run into while arranging vehicle transport, defined without circular jargon.
Key auto transport terms include the bill of lading, the signed document recording vehicle condition at pickup and delivery; broker, a licensed company that arranges transport; carrier, the company that physically moves the vehicle; dispatch, the moment a shipment is assigned to a carrier; first available date, the earliest collection date rather than a guaranteed pickup; inoperable, a vehicle that cannot move under its own power; and lane, a specific origin-to-destination route on which pricing is based.
Glossary
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Bill of lading (BOL) | The legal document recording the vehicle's condition at pickup and at delivery, signed by both the driver and the customer at each end. It is the controlling record in any damage claim, and the reason you should never sign one without inspecting the vehicle. |
| Broker | A licensed company that arranges transport by matching shipments with carriers, rather than owning trucks itself. Brokers are regulated by the FMCSA and must hold operating authority and a surety bond. |
| Carrier | The company that physically transports the vehicle, holding operating authority, insurance, and the equipment. The carrier is who actually moves your car. |
| Cargo insurance | The carrier's insurance covering vehicles being transported. Limits vary by carrier and are typically higher for enclosed transport. This is the coverage that matters during transit. |
| Condition report | The vehicle inspection record completed at pickup and delivery, usually part of the bill of lading, documenting existing damage. |
| Dispatch | The point at which a shipment is assigned to a specific carrier and driver. Before dispatch, a shipment is booked but not yet assigned. |
| DOT number | A US Department of Transportation identifier issued to commercial carriers. Active DOT authority is a minimum requirement for any legitimate carrier. |
| Door to door | Pickup and delivery as close to your specified addresses as is legally and physically possible for a full-size car hauler, which is often nearby rather than at the exact address. |
| Enclosed transport | Transport in a covered trailer, protecting the vehicle from weather and road debris. Fewer vehicles per load and a higher price. |
| Expedited transport | Faster-than-standard service, usually meaning a narrower pickup window or a more direct route, at a premium. |
| First available date | The earliest date the vehicle can be collected. It is not a guaranteed pickup date, and confusing the two is the most common misunderstanding in auto transport. |
| FMCSA | The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the federal body regulating interstate carriers and brokers, and the source of the public safety data used in carrier vetting. |
| Inoperable (inop) | A vehicle that does not run, steer, or brake under its own power. Requires a winch-equipped carrier and costs more. |
| Lane | A specific origin-to-destination route. Pricing and carrier availability are lane-specific, which is why a business shipping repeatedly gets priced by lane rather than per shipment. |
| MC number | Motor Carrier operating authority issued by the FMCSA, required for interstate for-hire transport alongside a DOT number. |
| Open transport | Transport on an uncovered multi-car hauler, typically carrying seven to ten vehicles. How the large majority of vehicles ship, including new dealer inventory. |
| Terminal | A storage facility where vehicles can be dropped off or held. Terminal-to-terminal service is an alternative to door to door, and can be cheaper but adds handling and storage. |
| Top load | A position on the upper deck of an open carrier, clear of any drips from vehicles above and slightly further from road spray. Sometimes offered at a small premium. |
| Transit time | Days spent in transit once the vehicle has been collected. It does not include the time between booking and pickup, which is a separate and often longer window. |
| Winch | Equipment used to load a vehicle that cannot drive onto the carrier under its own power. Not all carriers have one, which is why non-running vehicles have a smaller carrier pool. |
Ready when you are
Two ways to start
Businesses that ship regularly get lane pricing and portal access. Everyone else can price a single vehicle in about a minute.
I ship for my business
Movers, dealers, RMCs, auctions, fleets. Contract pricing and the Clutch Transport Portal.