Before handing over a car or bike, agree how it will travel and create a condition record you can compare at delivery. Record the transport scope, collection and receiving contacts, keys, accessories and any authorised local driving. Keep a copy of every document you sign.
Confirm the arrangement before pickup
State the make, model, running condition and any modifications. Mention low ground clearance, a non-running vehicle or an electric powertrain early so the proposed method can be assessed.
Ask whether the service is door-to-door or uses a handover point. Clarify carrier transport, loading movements, any local driving and planned transfers. A car or bike included in a household enquiry may still move separately and arrive on a different schedule.
Review the price, payment stages, expected window and responsibilities for delay, loss or damage. If insurance is offered, ask for the actual policy or certificate and its terms; do not assume your existing motor policy covers every transport arrangement.
Create a useful condition record
Photograph the vehicle in clear light, with enough context to identify the part shown. Include:
- All sides, wheels, lights, glass and visible marks.
- The cabin or seat area and relevant accessories.
- Odometer and fuel or charge reading.
- Keys, removable equipment and any item accepted with the vehicle.
Record existing damage in words as well as photos. Ask the receiving representative to acknowledge the same record. A walkaround video can supplement photographs but should not replace clear itemised notes.
Prepare the vehicle for its agreed method
Remove valuables and loose belongings. Ask what may remain and list accepted accessories. Do not turn the vehicle into an unlisted luggage shipment.
Request the specific fuel, battery, alarm and key instructions from the accepted transport provider, consistent with the manufacturer’s guidance. Electric vehicles and different models may need different handling. Do not disconnect an EV system or drain fuel because a generic checklist says so.
Separate transport documents from registration changes
Ask which documents the provider needs and why, and verify who receives copies. Share only what is needed through the agreed channel. Ownership authority may need to be established if someone else hands over or receives the vehicle.
Relocating a vehicle for continued use in another state can raise registration or tax questions separate from the shipment itself. Check the relevant transport authority and Parivahan’s official NOC guidance for your circumstances. A transporter’s document checklist is not a substitute for that authority’s requirements.
Inspect before completing delivery
Compare the vehicle to the pickup record, including marks, accessories, keys and readings. Note any exception on the delivery document, take photographs and contact the booking team promptly. If an issue needs an insurer’s assessment, check the policy procedure before authorising non-essential repairs that could affect evidence.
Keep the booking, condition reports and correspondence together until the move is resolved. Read our claims and insurance guidance and explore car transport or bike transport before requesting your route assessment.