Guide

How to prepare your car for transport (and what to expect)

Last updated: June 2026

Preparing your car for driveaway is simple, because a person drives it rather than loading it on a trailer. Give it a quick wash, leave about a quarter tank of fuel, take out anything you are not sending, note any existing damage, and make sure it is road-ready. That is really all there is to it.

Below is the full checklist, then exactly what happens from pickup to delivery so there are no surprises.

Before pickup: a 6-point checklist

• Wash it. A clean car means the pickup photos clearly show its true condition, which protects you.
• About a quarter tank of fuel (or a good charge for an EV). Enough to drive, not so much that it is dead weight.
• Remove what you are not sending, and note that you can pack belongings that fit. See pets and belongings. Take any high-value or irreplaceable items with you.
• Note and photograph existing damage yourself, dings, chips, scratches, so you have your own record alongside ours.
• Make sure it is road-ready: tires inflated, battery good, no warning lights, fluids fine. Driveaway means it has to start and drive safely.
• Have a working key ready, and let us know about any alarm, anti-theft, or toll transponder so the trip goes smoothly.

What to expect, pickup to delivery

Every SelectDrive booking follows the same clear stages, so you always know where things stand:

• Pickup. The driver confirms details, then takes time-stamped photos documenting the car's condition before departure.
• In transit. Live GPS goes on and stays on until delivery. You get daily check-ins and milestone updates, and can follow the car in real time.
• Delivery. A matching photo set confirms condition at arrival, which you can compare directly against the pickup photos. The remaining balance is collected on delivery.

For the full booking lifecycle, see how it works, and for what coverage is in place, see car transport insurance.

Frequently asked questions

How do I prepare my car for transport?

Give it a quick wash so the condition photos are clear, leave about a quarter tank of fuel (or a good charge for an EV), remove anything you are not sending, note and photograph any existing damage, make sure it is road-ready (tires, battery, fluids), and have a working key ready. Because a person drives it, that is really all that is needed.

Does my car need to be running to be transported?

Yes. SelectDrive is driveaway, so the car must start and drive safely. We do not move inoperable or non-running vehicles. If yours will not run, tell us and we will point you to a carrier who can move it.

What happens at pickup and delivery?

At pickup, the driver documents the car with time-stamped photos and confirms details with you. In transit, live GPS goes on and you get daily check-ins. At delivery, a matching photo set confirms condition, and the balance is collected. You can compare the delivery photos directly against the pickup set.

Can I leave belongings in the car?

Yes. Unlike a trailer with a roughly 100 pound limit, driveaway lets you pack belongings that fit safely below the window line, because a person is driving. Carry anything high-value or irreplaceable yourself. See our pets and belongings guide for details.