How to Know if Your Car is Eligible for Vehicle Transportation Services

All cars are not created equal when it comes to whether they are considered eligible for relocation by a vehicle transport services company. Not only are there regulations governing importing and exporting of vehicles, but there are also cost and risk assessment factors regarding the condition, driveability, actual weight and contents of the vehicle.

Eligibility Factors for Vehicle Transport Services Company

Let’s delve into some reasons why your vehicle may not be eligible to be transported in a typical open car carrier. In some cases, action can be taken by vehicle owners to resolve the issue.

1. Size does matter – If your vehicle is oversized and overweight, it will result in costly fines incurred with scaling stations in every province and state. Check with your vehicle transport services company to determine what the recommended size is.
2. High value targets – For very costly vehicles, it is recommended that they be placed in enclosed car carriers instead of the traditional and more affordable open car carriers used by many vehicle transport companies. This is to protect your high-end vehicle from the weather and road conditions.
3. Importing and licensing guidelines – Importing the vehicle must meet country guidelines and safety standards which make certain makes and models ineligible. You are permitted to relocate your car to the US and retain Canadian insurance and licensing for only up to 1 year, though each state has their own rules. (Please confirm with the state you are importing from.) Beyond this time period, you will have to comply with US registration, insurance and environmental standards and pay import duties.
4. Car purge – Purging your vehicle of personal belongings is a must to mitigate risk of theft and liability, as well as custom delays that may be experienced by vehicle transport services companies who will need to declare contents. While some discreetly stowed personal belongings may be stored in the trunk (typically up to 100 lbs.), exceeding this limit may make your vehicle unfit for transport.
5. Drivability – Non-functional vehicles make loading and unloading cars very difficult and could make your car ineligible to be transported by a vehicle transport services carrier. Some companies will make exceptions if steering and rolling the car is an option, but that comes at a premium, Your car needs to be road-worthy with a working parking brake, and a tune-up in advance is highly recommended. You should also ideally have between ¼ to ½ tank of gas in order to keep the overall weight of the vehicle as low as possible.
6. Ownership validation – If it’s your car, you will need to be present in handing off the keys and likewise identity validation will be required when the vehicle is received at its destination. Without ownership validation at the journey start and end point, your car may not be eligible for vehicle transport services.

By being aware of some of the pitfalls and considerations when reviewing whether your vehicle is eligible for vehicle transport services, you can make an informed decision. You can also be proactive and take action to ensure that your vehicle is ready to be transported, thereby avoiding any unforeseen challenges that may pop up.

About SAC

Snowbirds Auto Connection Ltd. (SAC) has been helping customers transport their vehicles across Canada and the US for over 25 years.  We are reliable, honest, and have a proven secure delivery process that helps provide you with peace of mind every step of the way. Contact SAC today to find out more about our services and to receive your personalized quote.