To prepare your car for transport, wash the outside, photograph its condition, clear out valuables, and have a working key ready. Check the carrier’s packing and fuel rules before pickup. Those details matter: Geyers Towing allows up to 100 pounds of personal items and asks for about a quarter tank of fuel, with no more than half a tank.
Use the checklist below if you’re shipping with Geyers. If you’ve booked another carrier, confirm its requirements before loading the car.
Your car transport checklist
Tick each item as you get the car ready.
Based on Geyers’ transport requirements. Complete the inspection sheet with the driver at pickup and delivery.
Check your pickup arrangements
A vehicle problem needs sorting out before pickup. If yours has stopped running since you booked, give us a call. We need to be able to drive it onto and off the carrier. Lift kits and oversized wheels are worth mentioning when you book, too, since they can affect whether we can load the car.
Who is meeting the driver? Have that person’s name and the pickup location settled before the day arrives. Do the same for delivery. Our auto transport service page has the vehicle requirements if you need to check them again.
What to remove, and what can stay in the car
Think about the days you will be without the car. The charger in the console, your medication in the glove box, and a spare set of house keys are easy things to forget. Take them with you, along with anything valuable.
For the belongings that stay behind, our limit is 100 pounds for the whole car. Weigh the bags as you pack. Once they are in, sit in the driver’s seat and look around: you should be able to see through every window, with all seats still upright and in place. Anything that needs the seats folded down should stay out.
Check the car before pickup day
The driver needs to be able to drive your car onto and off the carrier. Check that it starts, the tires are properly inflated, and there are no fluid leaks that need attention. If you find a mechanical problem, tell Geyers before the scheduled pickup instead of waiting for the truck to arrive.
Leave about a quarter tank of fuel, with no more than half a tank. Have a working key ready, and explain any starting, locking, or alarm instructions the driver will need. For an electric vehicle, confirm preparation and charging requirements with Geyers for your model; don’t apply the fuel-tank rule to battery charge.
Remove or deactivate toll tags and disable the alarm. For removable exterior accessories such as a bike rack or roof box, arrange removal or secure them as directed by the carrier. Let Geyers know about anything that changes the vehicle’s height or width.
What to photograph before you hand over the keys
Wash the exterior first so scratches, dents, and paint chips are easier to see. Take your photos before pickup, when you have time to walk around the car without rushing. Keep the original, dated files on your phone.
Start with four clear views
Stand far enough back to include the whole vehicle in each shot.
Include the bumper, hood, and windshield.
Keep both wheels and the full side in view.
Include the bumper, trunk, and rear window.
Keep both wheels and the full side in view.
Take one wider shot that shows where the mark is, then a close-up of the scratch, dent, or chip. Add clear photos of the wheels and any other areas you want recorded.
At pickup, point out existing damage and review the inspection sheet with the driver. Your photos are a useful record, but they do not replace that shared inspection. Keep the pickup paperwork available for the delivery check.
Check insurance before pickup day
We are fully insured for auto transport, and you can ask us about the coverage before your car goes on the truck. That is a good time to check for exclusions and find out who to call if you spot damage at delivery. Keep that contact and the coverage details with your booking.
Your own auto insurance is a separate policy. Call your insurer and explain that we will be transporting your car. Does your policy cover it during the trip? What deductible would you pay? Would any belongings inside be covered? Ask about your actual car and the items you plan to pack, since the answers depend on your policy.
You can read more about auto transport insurance in our guide. If you are unsure about our transport coverage, call us before pickup so you know where you stand before handing over the keys.
Your bill of lading: check it at both handovers
Before you hand us the keys, take a few minutes to go through the paperwork with our driver. Your bill of lading describes the vehicle and the transport, while the condition report records the car’s condition. We complete an inspection sheet with you at pickup and delivery.
Pickup: check the starting condition
First, make sure the paperwork describes your car and the agreed transport. Then look over the condition record together. Is that scratch on the rear bumper noted? What about the wheel you photographed? Have any missing or incorrect details put right before you sign, and take a copy with you.
Delivery: compare it with your record
Open the pickup photos on your phone and work your way around the car with our driver. Pay attention to the glass and wheels as well as the body panels. See a mark that was not there before? Show it to the driver and take a photo while you are both looking at it. Ask for the difference to be written on the delivery sheet before signing. Keep your copy and get in touch with us about the next steps.
Save the signed pickup and delivery copies alongside your photos. Our bill of lading guide takes you through the document in more detail.
Car transport preparation questions
Can I leave belongings in my car during transport?
Yes, we allow up to 100 pounds of personal items altogether. Pack with the seats upright and the windows clear. Your valuables should travel with you. If you have something bulky to pack, call us before loading it.
How much gas should I leave in the tank?
Aim for about a quarter tank, with no more than half a tank for Geyers transport. The vehicle needs enough fuel to be driven on and off the carrier.
Can Geyers transport a car that does not run?
No. Vehicles must be drivable for this service. Tell Geyers if the vehicle develops a problem before pickup so you can discuss what needs to happen before transport.
What should I do differently for an electric vehicle?
Tell Geyers the make and model when booking. Ask about the charge level and access instructions needed for your vehicle, and check the manufacturer’s transport guidance. The fuel-tank advice in this checklist applies to gasoline and diesel vehicles.
Do my photos replace the driver’s inspection?
No. Keep your own photos, but also complete the inspection sheet with a Geyers driver or employee at pickup and delivery. Point out any existing damage at pickup and any differences you notice at delivery.
Ready to arrange your car’s trip to Florida?
Tell Geyers where the car is going, when you need transport, and what vehicle you’re shipping. The team can confirm the route, handoff locations, and current quote.
Get a Maryland-to-Florida transport quoteQuestions about preparing your car? Call (301) 540-1600.
