After you buy a car online, you can have it shipped from the seller to your door on a licensed car carrier, usually for about $500 to $1,900 on an open truck depending on distance. Before you book, confirm the car is fully paid for, get a written release from the seller, and agree on who will hand over the keys and sign at pickup. This guide covers each step, from coordinating with dealers and private sellers to inspecting the car on delivery and handling paperwork in your home state.
Key takeaways
- Pay for the car and get a vehicle release or bill of sale before the carrier arrives.
- Confirm pickup hours, a contact name and how the keys will be handed over, especially at dealerships and auctions.
- Open transport is fine for most online purchases; enclosed is worth it for luxury, exotic or classic cars.
- Inspect the car carefully at delivery and note any issues on the bill of lading before you sign.
- Registration deadlines and temporary tag rules vary by state, so check with your DMV soon after delivery.
Why online car buyers ship their cars
Buying online opens up a nationwide market. The exact trim, color or classic you want may be 1,000 miles away. Shipping is often more practical than flying out and driving home, for a few reasons:
- Time: A long drive home can take several days off work.
- Cost: Airfare, hotels, fuel and meals can approach or exceed the cost of shipping.
- Risk: Driving an unfamiliar used car across several states before you have had it checked by your own mechanic can be a gamble.
- Paperwork: Temporary tags and insurance for a long drive can be confusing.
Our online car buyer shipping page explains how CTS handles these shipments.
Step-by-step: from purchase to delivery
Step 1: Finish the purchase
Pay the seller in full using a secure method, and get written proof. Most carriers will not load a car until the seller confirms it is released for pickup. If you are financing, make sure the lender has funded the loan.
Step 2: Get the seller's details
Collect the exact pickup address, the contact person's name, their hours, and any release or gate pass number. Dealerships and auctions often require a release form or buyer number before they let a vehicle leave the lot.
Step 3: Request a quote
Give the year, make, model, whether it runs, and pickup and delivery ZIP codes. Mention modifications or oversize features. A car shipping cost calculator can give you a quick starting number.
Step 4: Book and schedule
Choose your pickup window and whether you want open or enclosed transport. Share the seller contact info with your coordinator so the driver can call ahead.
Step 5: Pickup and inspection
The driver inspects the car with the seller and records its condition on the bill of lading. Ask the seller to send you photos from pickup if you cannot be there.
Step 6: Transit and tracking
Trips under about 500 miles usually take 1 to 3 days. Coast-to-coast shipments usually take 7 to 10 days. CTS offers 24/7 in-transit updates so you know where your new car is.
Step 7: Delivery and inspection
Inspect the car with the driver, compare its condition with the pickup report and listing photos, and sign only once any issues are written down.
Buying from a dealer vs. a private seller
Who you buy from changes how pickup works. The table below shows the main differences.
| Topic | Dealership or online retailer | Private seller |
|---|---|---|
| Release paperwork | Usually a release form or gate pass | Bill of sale and signed title, or written permission |
| Pickup hours | Business hours; often closed Sundays | Flexible but must match the seller's schedule |
| Keys | Held at the sales or service desk | Seller hands to the driver |
| Title handling | Often mailed to you or your lender | Usually handed to you or mailed after payment clears |
| Main risks | Missed pickup if lot closes early | Payment fraud, title problems, missed meeting |
Dealer and auction pickups
Dealer lots and auction yards are busy. Give the driver the release number and confirm hours in advance. Some auctions charge storage fees after a set number of days, so book quickly. Our dealer and auction car shipping page has more tips.
Private-party pickups
With a private seller, the main job is coordination. Make sure the seller knows the pickup window, will be there to hand over the keys, and will not let anyone else take the car. Exchange phone contact through your coordinator so the driver can call ahead.
Protecting yourself from online purchase scams
Most online car sales are legitimate, but some scams target out-of-state buyers who will never see the car in person. Watch for these red flags:
- The seller insists on using their own shipping company and asks you to pay that company directly by wire or gift card.
- The price is far below market with a story about a divorce, deployment or urgent move.
- The seller will not let you see the car, arrange an inspection, or talk on the phone.
- The title is not in the seller's name or has a lien they cannot explain.
The safest approach is to pay the seller through a secure, traceable method and book shipping yourself with a licensed company that you have checked. You can look up any broker or carrier's federal operating authority through the U.S. Department of Transportation. CTS shipments are arranged by Niki Auto Transport (USDOT 4535689, MC 1799148).
Get an independent inspection
For a used car, a pre-purchase inspection by a local mechanic near the seller is money well spent. It can catch problems before you pay for the car and its shipping.
Open or enclosed transport?
Open car shipping is the standard choice for most online purchases. It costs less and is how dealers move most new and used inventory. Choose enclosed car shipping if you bought a luxury, exotic or classic car, or if the car needs to arrive in show condition. CTS offers enclosed transport for supercars and exotics, with coverage up to $2 million available.
Paperwork checklist for the buyer
Keep these items organized before and after delivery:
- Bill of sale showing price, date, VIN and both parties' names.
- Title signed over to you, or proof the dealer or lender is handling it.
- Release form or gate pass for the pickup location.
- Proof of insurance for the new car. Many insurers let you add a car before it arrives.
- Odometer disclosure if your state requires a separate form.
- Bill of lading from pickup and delivery.
- Photos from the listing, the pickup and the delivery.
For general vehicle prep and handoff steps, see our vehicle shipping checklist.
Inspecting your car at delivery
Delivery is your chance to confirm both the shipment and the purchase. Take your time.
- Walk around the entire car in good light, including the roof, bumpers and lower panels.
- Compare with the pickup report on the bill of lading and with the listing photos.
- Check the VIN on the dashboard and door jamb against your paperwork.
- Look at the odometer and compare it with the bill of sale.
- Start the car and check for warning lights.
If you find new shipping damage, write it on the bill of lading before you sign and take photos right away. If you find a problem that existed before pickup, such as a mechanical issue, that is a matter between you and the seller, not the carrier. This is why pickup photos and an independent pre-purchase inspection are so useful.
Registration and titling after delivery
When you buy a car from another state, you will usually title and register it in your home state, not the state where you bought it. Dealers often handle some of this paperwork for you; private sales usually leave it to you.
A few points to keep in mind:
- Deadlines vary. Many states expect you to title and register a newly purchased car within a set number of days, often around 30 days, but some are shorter or longer.
- Sales tax is generally paid based on where you register the car. Check how your state handles tax paid to an out-of-state dealer.
- Inspections: Some states require a VIN verification, safety inspection or emissions test for cars coming from out of state.
- Temporary tags issued by the selling state may or may not be valid where you live.
Rules change and every state is different, so confirm the details with your state's motor vehicle agency. Our state pages, such as Florida car shipping, include general arrival tips.
Ways to save on shipping an online purchase
- Book right after the purchase so you are not paying storage fees at an auction or dealer.
- Be flexible by a few days on pickup timing.
- Meet near a major highway if the seller is in a rural area.
- Compare written quotes. Our Best Price Guarantee means we will match or beat a lower written quote for the same service.
- Ask about $0 deposit so you are not paying for shipping before a carrier is assigned. CTS charges no deposit to book.
What to do in the first week after delivery
Once the car is home, a few quick steps protect your purchase. Add or update the car on your insurance policy if you have not already. Have your own mechanic do a basic check, especially on a used car. Start the title and registration process with your state's motor vehicle agency, and keep your temporary tag dates in mind. Finally, file the bill of sale, bill of lading and delivery photos together so they are easy to find if any questions come up later.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship a car I bought online if I am not there for pickup?
Yes. The seller, dealer or auction staff can release the car to the driver. They will inspect it with the driver and sign the bill of lading. Ask them to send you photos.
Should I let the seller arrange shipping?
Some dealers offer shipping, and that can be fine. Be cautious if a private seller insists on a specific shipping company and asks for payment by wire or gift card, which is a common scam.
How long does it take to ship a car bought online?
Short trips under 500 miles usually take 1 to 3 days after pickup. Coast-to-coast trips usually take 7 to 10 days. Pickup timing depends on the seller's hours and carrier availability.
Do I need insurance before the car is shipped?
The carrier's cargo insurance covers damage caused during transport, but you will need your own policy once you take ownership and before you drive. Many buyers add the car to their policy on the day of purchase.
What if the car arrives with a problem the seller did not mention?
Problems that existed before pickup are between you and the seller. Shipping damage should be noted on the bill of lading at delivery. Keep all photos and paperwork.
Found the right car? Let us bring it home. Get a free quote and we will coordinate pickup with your seller.
Updated November 4, 2026