The most costly bill of lading mistake at delivery is signing it "clean" before you have inspected the car, because your signature tells everyone the car arrived in good shape. Other common errors include inspecting in the dark, not writing down new damage in detail, letting someone untrained sign for you, and not keeping a copy. Avoiding these takes only 10 to 15 minutes and gives you the strongest possible position if anything was damaged on the road.
Key takeaways
- The bill of lading (BOL) is your shipping contract, receipt and condition record in one document.
- Never sign the delivery section until you have walked around the car and compared it with the pickup report.
- Write any new damage on the BOL with its location and size, and have the driver sign or initial next to it.
- Photograph new damage before the truck leaves, and keep a copy of the signed BOL.
- Have your payment ready in the agreed form so a payment issue does not rush your inspection.
What the bill of lading does at delivery
The bill of lading is created at pickup. It lists the vehicle, the pickup and delivery addresses, the agreed terms, and a diagram of the car's condition when it was loaded. At delivery, the same document becomes your receipt.
When you sign the delivery section, you are confirming two things: that you received the car, and that its condition matches what is written. If you sign without noting new damage, it becomes much harder to prove later that the damage happened in transport. That is why the delivery signature matters more than almost anything else in the shipment.
Paper or electronic, the rules are the same
Many carriers now use electronic BOLs on a tablet or phone, with photos built in. You may sign on a screen instead of paper. Treat that signature exactly like a paper one. Ask for the PDF to be emailed or texted to you before the driver leaves, and confirm it arrived.
The 10 most common BOL mistakes at delivery
These are the errors that most often turn a simple damage claim into a long dispute.
| Mistake | Why it hurts | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Signing before inspecting | Your signature says the car is fine | Walk around the car first, every time |
| 2. Inspecting in the dark or rain | Scratches and dents are hard to see | Use strong light; note poor conditions on the BOL |
| 3. Vague damage notes | "Scratch" does not prove much | Write location, size and type |
| 4. No photos of new damage | Hard to prove timing later | Photograph with the truck in the frame |
| 5. Not comparing with the pickup report | You may miss what is new | Bring your copy and your pickup photos |
| 6. Skipping the roof and lower panels | Loading damage often hides there | Check high, low and under the front |
| 7. Letting an untrained person sign | They may sign clean to be polite | Brief them or be there yourself |
| 8. Not checking the VIN and mileage | Errors can confuse records | Confirm both match the BOL |
| 9. Not keeping a copy | No proof of what was signed | Get paper or a PDF before the truck leaves |
| 10. Waiting days to report damage | Many carriers set short reporting windows | Report the same day, in writing |
Mistake 1 and 2: rushing the signature and poor light
Drivers often have several more cars to deliver that day, and they may hand you the tablet as soon as the car is off the trailer. It is normal and reasonable to say, "Let me take a quick look first." A careful walk-around takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
If the car arrives after dark, move it under a streetlight or garage light, and use two phone flashlights at a low angle to the paint. Light held at an angle shows dents and scratches far better than light pointed straight on. If you still cannot see well, write on the BOL: "Delivered after dark, unable to fully inspect, subject to daylight inspection." Then inspect again at first light and report anything new right away.
That note does not guarantee a claim will be paid, but it is far better than a clean signature with nothing written.
Mistake 3 and 4: weak damage notes and no photos
A good damage note answers three questions: where, what and how big. Compare these:
- Weak: "Scratch on car."
- Strong: "New scratch, about 5 inches, passenger rear door, near handle."
Next, take photos while the truck is still there:
- One wide photo showing the whole side of the car and the carrier truck.
- One medium photo showing the panel.
- Two or three close-ups of the damage, with a coin or key for scale.
- A short video walking from the truck to the damage.
Ask the driver to sign or initial next to your note. If they refuse, write "driver declined to initial" and keep going.
Mistake 5 and 6: not comparing, and missing hidden spots
Bring your copy of the pickup report and your own pickup photos. Go panel by panel. Anything on the car today that is not on the pickup report should be treated as new until shown otherwise.
Pay extra attention to the spots that are often skipped:
- The roof and the top edge of the windshield, which can be hit on an upper deck.
- Front bumper lip and lower valance, which can scrape on a ramp.
- Rocker panels and side skirts.
- Wheels and tire sidewalls.
- Side mirrors and antennas.
- The underside of the front, looking for anything hanging or bent.
Our guide to preparing your vehicle for shipping explains how to take good pickup photos so this comparison is easy.
Mistake 7: the wrong person signs
If you cannot be there, someone else can receive the car, but they need to know what they are signing. A neighbor or doorman may sign clean just to be helpful. Before delivery day:
- Give them your pickup photos or a link to them.
- Ask them to do the full walk-around and take photos.
- Tell them it is fine to write notes on the BOL and to ask the driver to wait.
- Make sure they know how payment will be handled, if any balance is due on delivery.
For buyers of cars from dealers and online sellers, this step matters even more. See our online car buyer shipping guide for tips on receiving a car you have never seen in person.
Mistakes 8 to 10: records, copies and timing
Check the VIN and mileage
Look at the VIN on the dashboard or driver's door jamb and make sure it matches the BOL. Note the odometer reading. A small increase is normal for loading and unloading. A large jump should be noted and asked about.
Keep your copy
Do not let the truck leave without a copy. On paper, take a clear photo of every page as a backup. With an electronic BOL, ask for the PDF and check your inbox before the driver drives away.
Report fast
Contact your broker or carrier the same day if you noted damage. Send the BOL, your photos and a short summary in writing. Many carriers have short windows for reporting damage, and quick reports are easier to verify. Then get a written repair estimate from a body shop.
Payment and the BOL: avoid a rushed handoff
On many shipments, part of the cost is paid to the driver at delivery. A payment mix-up is one of the main reasons people sign quickly and skip the inspection. To prevent that:
- Confirm the balance amount and accepted payment methods a day or two before delivery.
- Have payment ready, but do the inspection first.
- Do not let a payment question pressure you into signing clean.
- Make sure the amount on the BOL matches your written quote.
With CTS, there is $0 deposit to book, and our Best Price Guarantee means we will match or beat a lower written quote. If the amount at delivery does not match your written quote, note it and contact us before paying anything extra.
Your delivery-day checklist
- Pickup report copy and pickup photos ready on your phone.
- Good light, or a plan for after-dark delivery.
- Payment ready in the agreed form.
- Walk around: front, sides, rear, roof, wheels, lower panels, glass.
- Check VIN and mileage.
- Start the car and look for warning lights.
- Check that keys, spare and any listed accessories are there.
- Write any new damage on the BOL with location and size.
- Photograph new damage with the truck in view.
- Sign, get your copy, and report any damage the same day.
To see where delivery fits into the whole process, read how car shipping works. For questions about coverage, our car shipping FAQs explain how carrier cargo insurance typically handles claims.
What signing "subject to inspection" really means
Some people write "subject to inspection" next to their signature, hoping it keeps their options open. It can help a little, but it is not a substitute for a real inspection. A vague note does not show what was damaged or when. The best protection is still a careful walk-around and specific notes. Use "subject to inspection" only when conditions truly prevent a full check, and explain why, such as darkness, heavy rain or a covered car.
One more tip: if you received the car from a dealer or auction and do not know its history, pay extra attention to the pickup report. Damage marked at pickup is not the carrier's responsibility, so make sure you agree with what was written before the car ever left.
Frequently asked questions
Can I refuse delivery if the car is damaged?
Refusing the car usually makes things worse, because it adds storage and redelivery costs and does not fix the damage. In most cases, it is better to accept the car, note the damage clearly on the BOL, and file a claim.
What if the driver will not let me inspect the car?
Calmly explain that you need a few minutes. If they still refuse, write that on the BOL, take photos right away and contact your broker immediately.
Is a photo of the BOL good enough as my copy?
A clear photo of every page is a good backup. Still ask for an official copy or PDF.
How long do I have to report damage after delivery?
It depends on the carrier's terms, and some windows are short. Report it the same day if you can, in writing, with photos.
Does the BOL need to list every tiny chip?
It should list all new damage you can find. Small chips matter, especially on new or high-value cars.
Want a smooth delivery from booking to signature? Get a free quote and track your car with 24/7 in-transit updates.
Updated November 4, 2026