Car Shipping Help Center

Straight answers to the questions people ask before, during and after shipping a car, written from Rivalane's own terms and process. One page per question, each with a short answer first. If you cannot find yours, call +1 855-748-2526 or email support@rivalane.com.

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Most asked questions

The questions customers ask most, with the short answer. Open any of them for the full answer.

Is Rivalane a broker or a carrier?Rivalane is a licensed auto transport broker, not a carrier. Here is what that means for your quote, your paperwork, your payment and who insures your car.Read the full answer What affects the cost of shipping a car?Distance, route, open or enclosed trailer, vehicle size and condition, address access, season and date flexibility all move the price. Here is how each works.Read the full answer When do I pay for car shipping with Rivalane?You pay nothing to book. Rivalane's fee is due when a carrier accepts your order, because that is the point at which our service has been delivered.Read the full answer Is my pickup or delivery date guaranteed?Delivery dates are never guaranteed, by Rivalane or any carrier, because weather, road conditions, mechanical problems and regulations can delay a truck.Read the full answer How long does car shipping take?Transit time depends on distance, route and the stops a carrier makes along the way. Here is how to read the estimate and why delivery dates are not guaranteed.Read the full answer Can I leave personal items in my car when I ship it?You may leave one suitcase or one bag weighing up to 100 lbs in the trunk or cargo area, as long as you tell Rivalane and the carrier before loading.Read the full answer Is my car insured during transport?Every carrier Rivalane assigns holds active cargo insurance, and we confirm coverage before pickup. Here is what that insurance covers and what it excludes.Read the full answer What is a Bill of Lading in car shipping?The Bill of Lading is the carrier's document that records your vehicle's condition at pickup and again at delivery, signed by you or your agent and the driver.Read the full answer What if I notice damage at delivery?Note the damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign, photograph it, get the driver's signature on the notation and tell Rivalane within 48 hours. Here is how.Read the full answer Is Rivalane legit?Yes. Rivalane is an FMCSA-registered auto transport broker (USDOT 4178374, MC-1608310) based in Melville, NY. Here is how to verify us before you book.Read the full answer

About Rivalane and how brokers work

Who we are, what a broker does, how to verify us on FMCSA, and what the words on your paperwork mean.

Is Rivalane a broker or a carrier?Rivalane is a licensed auto transport broker, not a carrier. Here is what that means for your quote, your paperwork, your payment and who insures your car.Read the full answer Who actually moves my car when I book with Rivalane?A licensed motor carrier from Rivalane's vetted network moves your car. Learn how the carrier is assigned, who the driver works for and what stays with us.Read the full answer How does Rivalane choose the carrier for my vehicle?We assign carriers with active FMCSA authority, valid cargo insurance and a clean safety record, then match your order to the truck that fits your route.Read the full answer How do I verify Rivalane on FMCSA?Search FMCSA SAFER for USDOT 4178374 or MC-1608310 to see Rivalane's broker authority, then run the same check on the carrier assigned to your order.Read the full answer Where is Rivalane located?Rivalane is based at 25 Melville Park Rd Ste 150, Melville, NY 11747, on Long Island. From that office we arrange vehicle transport across the United States.Read the full answer Is Rivalane legit?Yes. Rivalane is an FMCSA-registered auto transport broker (USDOT 4178374, MC-1608310) based in Melville, NY. Here is how to verify us before you book.Read the full answer What do common car shipping terms mean?Broker, carrier, dispatch, first available date, Bill of Lading, COD, dry run, top load, inoperable, defined the way Rivalane and its carriers use them.Read the full answer

Quotes and pricing

What moves the price, why quotes differ between companies, and how to get the lowest honest rate.

What affects the cost of shipping a car?Distance, route, open or enclosed trailer, vehicle size and condition, address access, season and date flexibility all move the price. Here is how each works.Read the full answer Why do car shipping quotes differ so much between companies?Quotes differ because companies price differently. Learn the difference between a rate carriers will accept and a low number that rises after you book.Read the full answer Is open or enclosed car transport cheaper?Open transport is cheaper. An open carrier moves several vehicles per trip, so the cost of the route is shared across more cars.Read the full answer What is the cheapest way to ship a car?Choose open transport, give the carrier a wide pickup window, ship between major metro areas where possible, and avoid peak season on your corridor.Read the full answer Does Rivalane offer military or student discounts?Yes, both. Rivalane offers a military discount with valid ID and a student discount, subject to verification. Here is how to claim them when you book.Read the full answer

Booking, payment and cancellation

When you pay, how you pay the carrier, what you can cancel, and what your order confirmation covers.

When do I pay for car shipping with Rivalane?You pay nothing to book. Rivalane's fee is due when a carrier accepts your order, because that is the point at which our service has been delivered.Read the full answer How do I pay the carrier at delivery?Pay the balance to the carrier on or before delivery in cash, certified funds, a cashier's check or a money order made payable to the carrier.Read the full answer Can I cancel my car shipping order?You can cancel at no cost at any time before a carrier accepts your order. Here is what changes after acceptance and how to send a cancellation in writing.Read the full answer Is my pickup or delivery date guaranteed?Delivery dates are never guaranteed, by Rivalane or any carrier, because weather, road conditions, mechanical problems and regulations can delay a truck.Read the full answer How far in advance should I book car shipping?Booking one to two weeks before your first available date gives you the widest choice of carriers and usually the better rate.Read the full answer What is an order confirmation and what should I check on it?The order confirmation is the written record Rivalane sends after you book: vehicle, addresses, dates and rate. Here is what it covers and what it does not.Read the full answer

Preparing your vehicle

Fuel, personal items, prohibited items, non-running and modified vehicles, and who has to be there.

How do I prepare my car for shipping?Wash the car, leave no more than a quarter tank of fuel, remove or secure loose parts, racks and low spoilers, disarm the alarm, take out personal items.Read the full answer Can I leave personal items in my car when I ship it?You may leave one suitcase or one bag weighing up to 100 lbs in the trunk or cargo area, as long as you tell Rivalane and the carrier before loading.Read the full answer What items are prohibited in a shipped vehicle?Explosives, weapons, flammables, live pets and plants, drugs, alcohol and anything illegal cannot travel in a shipped car. Here is the full list and why.Read the full answer How much fuel should be in the tank when I ship my car?Keep the tank at no more than a quarter full. Fuel adds weight the carrier has to account for, and a quarter tank is enough to load, unload and reach a station.Read the full answer Can you ship a car that does not run?Yes, with notice. A vehicle that cannot be driven onto the truck needs a carrier with a winch or a liftgate, so tell us it is inoperable when you book.Read the full answer Can you ship a modified, lowered or oversized vehicle?Usually, if you tell us at booking. Lowered cars, lift kits, roof racks and large vehicles need the right trailer and equipment. Here is what to tell us.Read the full answer Do I need to be present at pickup and delivery?You or an adult you designate as your agent must be present at pickup and delivery to inspect the car and sign the Bill of Lading. Here is how that works.Read the full answer

Pickup and transit

How a carrier is assigned, what dispatched means, what happens when a truck cannot reach you, and timing.

How does carrier assignment work after I book?After you book, Rivalane offers your order to vetted carriers that run your route and assigns the one that fits your dates and vehicle. Here is each step.Read the full answer What does "dispatched" mean in car shipping?Dispatched means a carrier has accepted your order and your vehicle is assigned to a specific truck. Here is what happens next and what it means for payment.Read the full answer What if the carrier cannot reach my address?If a multi-car carrier cannot reach your street, you meet the driver at a nearby safe spot such as a large parking lot. Here is how that is arranged.Read the full answer How long does car shipping take?Transit time depends on distance, route and the stops a carrier makes along the way. Here is how to read the estimate and why delivery dates are not guaranteed.Read the full answer What if my car shipment is delayed?Call or email Rivalane and we get an updated estimate from the carrier. Here is what usually causes delays, what we can do and what the Terms say about dates.Read the full answer

Delivery and inspection

The Bill of Lading, what to check at the truck, what to do about damage, and sending someone in your place.

What is a Bill of Lading in car shipping?The Bill of Lading is the carrier's document that records your vehicle's condition at pickup and again at delivery, signed by you or your agent and the driver.Read the full answer What should I check when my car is delivered?Inspect every panel, the roof, glass, wheels and interior with the driver present before you sign the Bill of Lading. Here is the delivery checklist.Read the full answer What if I notice damage at delivery?Note the damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign, photograph it, get the driver's signature on the notation and tell Rivalane within 48 hours. Here is how.Read the full answer Can someone else accept delivery of my car for me?Yes. An adult you designate as your agent can inspect the car, sign the Bill of Lading and pay the carrier for you. Here is what to arrange before delivery.Read the full answer

Insurance, damage and claims

What covers your car in transit, what is excluded, and how a claim is filed with the carrier.

Is my car insured during transport?Every carrier Rivalane assigns holds active cargo insurance, and we confirm coverage before pickup. Here is what that insurance covers and what it excludes.Read the full answer How do I file a damage claim after car shipping?Note the damage on the Bill of Lading at delivery, photograph it and report it to Rivalane within 48 hours. Here is the full claim process step by step.Read the full answer Are personal items in my car covered by the carrier's insurance?No. The carrier's cargo insurance covers the vehicle, not its contents. Here is what that means for anything you leave in the car and how to limit the risk.Read the full answer What is the Carmack Amendment and why does it matter for my claim?The Carmack Amendment is the federal law that governs claims for loss or damage against motor carriers moving goods, including vehicles, across state lines.Read the full answer

Special situations

Military bases, snowbirds, auctions and dealers, classic and exotic cars, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, and shipping versus driving.

Can you ship a car to or from a military base?Rivalane arranges car shipping for PCS moves and other military relocations to and from bases nationwide. Here is how base access and timing work.Read the full answer Do you ship cars for snowbirds?Yes. Seasonal shipping between the Northeast or Midwest and Florida, Arizona and other winter destinations is one of Rivalane's busiest services.Read the full answer Can you pick up a car from an auction or a dealership?Yes. Rivalane arranges pickup from auction yards such as Copart and IAA, from dealerships and from private sellers, and delivery to your address.Read the full answer Can you ship a classic or exotic car?Yes. Classic, exotic and high-value cars ship in enclosed trailers with experienced carriers. Here is how we handle low clearance, inspection and insurance.Read the full answer Do you ship cars to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico?Yes, with an ocean leg in the middle. Rivalane arranges the road legs to and from the port. Here is how the crossing works and what to plan for.Read the full answer Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car?For short trips, driving usually costs less. For long moves, add fuel, lodging, food, time and wear, and shipping is often close or cheaper. Here is the math.Read the full answer

Questions about Rivalane itself

Rivalane is a licensed auto transport broker, USDOT 4178374 and MC-1608310, based in Melville, New York. The quickest ways to check us are the FMCSA SAFER record and the reviews customers have left on Google and Trustpilot.

Is Rivalane legit?Broker or carrier?Verify us on FMCSA Rivalane Reviews About Rivalane

Still have a question?

Our coordinators answer the phone from 8 am to 10 pm Eastern, seven days a week, and every email gets a reply from a person.

Call +1 855-748-2526 Email support@rivalane.com Get a quote

Key things to know before shipping a car in US

Rivalane makes vehicle transport straightforward and stress-free. We coordinate nationwide car shipping through licensed, insured carriers, with clear pricing, reliable timelines, and full coverage from pickup to delivery.

You can start with a quick price check using the Rivalane calculator to see real pricing for your route in under a minute, then move forward knowing a dedicated team stays involved every step of the way.

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