Booking starts the search; assignment is when a specific truck commits to your car. Here is what happens in between.
Step 1: your order is posted
Your route, vehicle, dates and rate go out to carriers in our network that run that lane. A sedan on a busy corridor is visible to many trucks; a lowered car to a rural address is visible to the few that can handle it.
Step 2: a carrier accepts
A carrier whose circuit, dates and equipment fit your order accepts it. Before confirming, we check that its FMCSA authority is active and its cargo insurance is in force. Our working estimate for this step is one to three working days from booking.
Step 3: you get the details
We confirm the carrier's name and the pickup window the carrier has planned. From here the driver usually calls or texts you directly to confirm a time, and Rivalane stays in the loop for any changes.
What if no carrier accepts?
It can happen on hard routes or tight dates. We tell you, suggest what would help (a wider window, a nearby meeting point, a different trailer type) and keep working the order. You are not charged until a carrier accepts, and you can cancel at no cost at any time before that.
Related questions
- What does "dispatched" mean in car shipping?
- How far in advance should I book car shipping?
- How does Rivalane choose the carrier for my vehicle?
Go deeper: Understanding the Auto Transport Dispatch Process: A Step-by-Step Guide.
