The auto transport industry is being controlled and regulated by governmental institutions. Each country has its regulations and laws that both the service provider and the client must follow. Even though auto transport companies are more likely to be under the spotlight, the clients must also be aware of transportation laws which are mostly related to the shipped car’s age/condition, dimensions, import goods restrictions, etc. Accordingly, the basic knowledge will help you to avoid potential issues. Therefore, we are going to present the essential car shipping rules and restrictions.
Weight Restrictions
There is often a fixed weight limit that auto transport drivers can carry per trip. By adding up the estimated weight of each vehicle, they can calculate the shipping truck’s load. It is important to note that car shipping companies do not weigh your vehicle during the pickup while loading it onto the vessel. The weight depends on the make and the model of the car. In most cases, the companies also add extra weight to the car’s factory weight, such as 100 lbs.
The drivers need to weigh their trucks at several weigh stations to check whether the cargo’s weight complies with auto transport rules and regulations. We advise against packing your automobile to the brim with personal belongings.
Height Restrictions
The vehicle’s height is also a defined limit. The standard car’s height is usually up to 7 feet or less. Therefore, transporting such vehicles on conventional trucks can cause minimum delays and additional fees. In case your car is taller than the permissible height, we suggest using specialized carriers.
Required Documentation
Car shipping involves lots of paperwork and documentation. As a first step, the client needs to provide documents proving the ownership or authorization for shipping the car. If you plan to move a newly purchased car, you will need to present a Receipt of the Purchase and an Original Certificate of Origin from the dealership/previous owner from where/whom you have bought the car.
Driving Hours
Auto Transport companies are often in tight competition with the market’s players. To gain customers, some companies tend to promise unrealistic shipment conditions and timelines. So be conscious of the typical limitations and rules of not paying an additional fee or waiting for delayed transportation.
Be informed that a shipper may postpone an agreed delivery window because of federal laws regarding driving hours. Per day, truckers are allowed to go on the road only for a certain amount of hours. These limitations are more likely to concern interstate transportation to maintain security, commercial, and health requirements. The fixed driving hours naturally affect the delivery speed, and you should plan your shipment keeping in mind the information mentioned above.
