Are There Any US Domestic Car Shipping Restrictions?

No matter the reason, whether it's for business purposes or personal growth, moving requires a significant amount of preparation.

Transporting personal belongings, including a motor vehicle, can be a highly stressful task to plan.

Before arranging for your motor vehicle to be shipped, it's important to know transportation laws and regulations. Understanding and following federal government laws will ensure the safe arrival of your vehicle at its intended destination.

Once you've become familiar with the laws and regulations regarding auto shipment, you can sit back and relax, knowing that any transportation formalities are well looked after.

We'll discuss the restrictions, laws, and documentation required to ship your car across the domestic US seamlessly.

Domestic Car Shipping: Legal Matters You Should Know

Transporting a vehicle may involve obstacles and necessitate considerable exertion. Without comprehending all applicable rules, the difficulty will increase for you.

People looking to transport their cars must not only understand their own state's requirements but also comply with any additional requirements by federal government transportation laws.

Consumers must be fully aware of all legal matters regarding auto shipping before taking any action.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) controls all American car shipping regulations. So intimacy with their pieces of legislation inside out will be advantageous.

This government agency establishes rules and guidelines that all carriers must adhere to remain compliant regarding safety, liability protection, and driver conditions.

Customers must also adhere to specific trucking weight limits established by individual states. This matter will be referenced when arranging motor carrier services. Companies need to determine if they can accommodate an overload or require multiple trucks or trailers for shipment.

Awareness of these details allows for complete knowledge of potential surcharges and understanding which express shipping options are available when selecting an auto transport service provider.

What Are the Licensing Requirements?

Auto transport companies must have the necessary licensing and registration to operate legally. Each state has its licensing eligibility requirements, which every citizen must meet before an auto transport company can begin providing services.

The top two requirements auto transport firms must meet are:

• United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) registration

And these firms must adhere to each state's regulations, which help ensure the safety of both drivers and vehicles during transportation between different states.

The FMCSA oversees all interstate motor carriers, including auto transporters. Meanwhile, the USDOT number proves that a company meets US federal transportation laws and regulations and allows them to use roads within its service area.

It goes without saying: a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) is a must-have for drivers employed by an auto transport company.

All transporters must adhere closely to these licensing requirements to operate legally and provide quality services for customers that trust them with their vehicles.

Height Restrictions and Vehicle Weight

Vehicle weight and height restrictions are essential when transporting cars or other vehicles across long distances.

All roads have regulations that must be followed regarding the vehicle's axle weight, and carriers must be sure to adhere to these limits along their route to avoid hefty fines.

Carrier companies will also have a height limitation of 7' or less to ensure safety and smooth transport. If your vehicle exceeds these regulations, let the transport company know so they can send the appropriate vessel for your vehicle type.

Some vehicles may require specific accommodations along a journey, such as a low loader or flatbed tow truck if the car you wish to transport is taller than 7'.

Similarly, if a car exceeds the axle regulations, you might need a tandem carrier—meaning two axles on each truck frame. Hence, giving this information before transportation can save much time and money down the line.

Shipping companies can provide safe and reliable service while keeping drivers compliant with relevant government laws by ensuring that all weight and height restrictions are adhered to.

Driver Hours

Delivering goods on time to customers is one of the primary goals of any auto transport business, but delays can sometimes occur due to many unavoidable factors. One such factor is driver hours and their restriction by federal law.

The number of daily driving hours limits drivers. These hours may be adjusted depending on weather and road conditions. Sometimes, they can have slower trips than expected.

This can make delivering goods on time difficult for companies offering an exact delivery date; it may be challenging to predict what travel times drivers may have in difficult conditions. Also, they must plan conservatively with the restrictions imposed by federal law.

The predicted delivery date should always be taken with a grain of salt from a company that follows driver hour regulations.

It's always best practice for businesses to explain the possibility of delays due to road or weather conditions and inform customers of the actual estimated arrival time instead of offering an unrealistic time frame due to not wanting customers to wait too long for their order.

Accidents and unforeseen issues can still arise despite precautionary measures, so companies must stay alert and adjust shipping time accordingly to ensure satisfactory customer service.

Documents Required for Shipment

Before you ship your vehicles, it's necessary to complete the correct preparation. The key is gathering all the essential documents for any auto transport service before beginning the process.

Generally speaking, for domestic shipments, you should have the following items ready:

• Original title and registration documents
• Proof of auto insurance papers
• Photo ID

What if you're not the owner of the shipped vehicle? The auto transport company may require a notarized letter containing the VIN and the full name of the person acting on your behalf.

In some cases, additional requirements by your auto transport company may be requested, such as a loan agreement or lease contract to provide proof of vehicle ownership.

Are you still unsure of what documents are required for shipment? Consult your shipping provider in advance so everything is ready when delivery day arrives.

Following proper protocol for documenting your shipment will ensure the process runs smoothly and everything goes as planned without any unexpected issues or delays.

Personal Belongings

Nobody wants to lose sentimental items and personal belongings. That's why these items can be at risk when your vehicle is in transit during auto shipping. Putting it simply, don't leave anything you're afraid of losing in your car. It's just not worth it.

Things like electronics, jewelry, and other personal goods should always be out of the car and kept close to you. Otherwise, you'll risk damage, theft, and further loss.

In some cases, leaving personal belongings may be strictly prohibited and could result in a punishable offense. It is best to check with the individual auto shipping company before leaving any personal items behind to avoid legal issues.

Moreover, certain items are never allowed to be left in a vehicle when shipped due to liability concerns. They are as follows:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Hazardous materials
• Flammables
• Illegal substances and narcotics

As the customer, it is your responsibility to ensure these items are never included in your car shipment. Severe consequences await those who fail to do so.

It is also best to remove any valuable possessions from the car beforehand just in case of an unforeseen incident during transit.

Wrapping Up

The answer to whether or not there are US car shipping restrictions is yes. But while there are some restrictions on United States domestic car shipping, they are mainly in place to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

If you've done your prior research and are partnering with a reputable and experienced auto shipping business, moving your automobile anywhere in the United States should not be too difficult.

Don't let restrictions hold you back from enjoying the freedom of having your car wherever you need it.

If you choose A-1 Car Transport, moving your beloved vehicle will be simple. We pride ourselves on our competitive offers and the reviews of our previous clients. Check us out and get your free instant quote today.