The inspection is the part of car shipping that people treat as a formality and insurers treat as the whole case.
It happens twice. Once at collection, when you and the driver record the vehicle’s condition and both sign. Once at delivery, when you compare the vehicle against that record before signing for receipt. The document is the condition report, also called the Bill of Lading.
Ten minutes at each end. Done properly, a damage dispute becomes a straightforward comparison. Done carelessly, it becomes your word against a signed document.
Before the Driver Arrives
Wash the vehicle. Road film and dust hide exactly the small marks the report exists to capture. This is the single most useful preparation step.
Photograph it yourself. All four sides, both ends, the roof, each wheel, and any existing damage close up. Timestamps matter.
Photograph the odometer and the interior.
Walk it yourself first. Note existing marks before the driver arrives, so you are checking a list rather than discovering problems under time pressure.
Choose your light. Overcast or shade reveals far more than bright direct sun, which flattens swirls and small dents into invisibility.
At Collection and At Delivery
Walk the vehicle with the driver. The driver is marking a diagram. Watch what goes on it.
Speak up about anything missed. An unrecorded existing scratch is not in your favor. It is in nobody’s favor, because it turns a clear record into a dispute.
Check the recorded odometer and vehicle details.
Take your copy before the driver leaves.
At delivery the same process runs in reverse, with one difference that matters:
Inspect before you sign, not after. Your signature is the moment the vehicle is accepted as delivered in the condition recorded.
The car will be dirty. Days of road film on an open trailer. Rinse it if you can, or note on the receipt that the inspection was limited by road film.
If you find new damage, record it on the receipt before signing. Photograph it immediately and start the claim the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if it is dark when the truck arrives?
Note on the receipt that the inspection was carried out in poor light. That preserves your position.
Can I refuse to sign?
You can record damage and sign with that notation, which is the normal route. Refusing to sign entirely complicates delivery without helping your claim.
What if I am not there at delivery?
Someone must be designated to inspect and sign. Whoever signs accepts the vehicle on your behalf.
Do my own photographs count?
Yes. Timestamped photographs from before collection are strong supporting evidence alongside the condition report.
How detailed is the driver’s report?
It is a diagram with marked damage and notes. Its usefulness depends on both of you being thorough.
Why Ship With Tempus Logix
Tempus Logix is a licensed and bonded auto transport broker, USDOT #3117533 and MC #86120, and BBB accredited. Every carrier we assign is vetted and its insurance verified before a vehicle is collected, and vehicle owners carry a zero deductible on covered damage.
First-time shippers deserve a quote that holds. We price loads at a rate carriers actually accept, explain what the figure covers before you commit, and tell you plainly when a date looks tight, rather than booking it and renegotiating later.
New to this? Start with our first-time car shipping guide.
Related Guides
Next in this cluster:
- Car Shipping Contract Review Guide
- What Happens After Delivery
- First-Time Shipper Checklist
- What to Expect When Shipping
- Common First-Time Mistakes
Need a vehicle moved? Get a free quote with our auto transport quote calculator or call a transport coordinator at +1 (866) 607-8459.