How Auto Transport Works

The city, town, or area will usually auto-populate. Then choose the year, make, and model of the vehicle(s) you are shipping. Select whether it is running or non-running. And then finally, choose whether you wish to go Open or Enclosed transport. That’s it!

You should see your car shipping cost in 5 seconds or less! Direct Express does not ask for any personal information before providing you with a car shipping quote. We are one of the only car transport brokers in the business to do this! Your name, phone number, and email address are not required to get a quote, which means you will not get spammed or flooded with unwanted phone calls.

Most customers don’t realize it, but they are competing against other customers for space on a car transport trailer. A carrier will want to select the best-paying orders. We are very good at figuring that out.

Our car shipping cost calculator determines the most basic rate (Standard Tier), that works well on popular routes with little competition. But in remote locations at either end or in stiff competition on popular routes, we recommend selecting the Expedited Tier. If in an even bigger hurry, choose the Rush Tier.

Or call a Direct Express Auto Transport customer service representative during normal business hours at 800-600-3750.

Either the online form or customer service representative will ask you to provide pertinent information such as your pickup and destination contacts, and the first date that your vehicle is available for pickup. Upon checkout, please enter your credit card or debit card information so that your order is officially entered. Your credit card will only be charged upon assignment of your vehicle. Isn’t that nice? No deposit is required to place an order.

Direct Express Auto Transport will notify you via email regarding your carrier assignment, which will contain the name of the driver, his phone number, and the estimated dates for pickup and delivery. The earliest you may see the Carrier Assignment email is a few days before your first available date to ship your car.

But it may also be some days after your first date available before a carrier calls us to lay claim to your order. It is generally not every day that a carrier is leaving one town with a full load for another. The first available date is simply the starting date and it might take longer. Talk to our customer service team about how to hasten the car shipping process

Please be sure your contacts make themselves available to speak with the carrier. Your pickup contact needs to be vigilant and react quickly. You don’t want to miss the car transport carrier because it might be a while before another is ready to go.

The car transport carrier driver will not just show up unannounced. He or she will call your pickup contact first to coordinate a time and place to meet, and also verify information. Most times it is necessary to meet the carrier close by your neighborhood at a place where the driver can safely maneuver his or her big truck. That is still in the spirit of door-to-door service.

Keep in mind no money changes hands at pickup. Simply fill out a vehicle condition report authorizing the car shipment and hand over the keys. No other paperwork is necessary. It’s very easy. The carrier driver does not need to see the vehicle title or registration. Whoever is standing there with the keys and ready to sign the Bill of Lading authorizing shipment is all the driver needs.

The driver ideally should call the day before to alert your destination contact of his pending arrival and will give a rough estimation of what time of day to expect. They almost always miss the target time, so please be patient and understanding. Other customers may delay him. Traffic conditions might slow him. Mechanical difficulties or inclement weather might throw a monkey wrench into his plans. He wants to deliver your car as fast and as badly as you do. Time is money and delays frustrate him too.

When the car transport carrier does arrive, you should thoroughly inspect your vehicle for any damage, which rarely happens. That is your opportunity to speak up, make proper notes on the vehicle condition report, and even take digital photos. Any issues will be addressed later. Regardless of the condition, industry rules state that you are to pay the carrier driver the balance owed with Cash or Money Order before receiving your vehicle.

There you have it. Direct Express Auto Transport usually makes this six-step process a breeze and you can drive off with your vehicle.