Seven steps of car transport, from booking to delivery. CMR, VIN photo documentation, GPS tracking, and 24/7 dispatch.
Professional car transport is not just about loading and unloading. It is a process chain where every step is recorded, photographed, and insured. Here is the exact procedure that every vehicle shipped through TransportCar.eu goes through, from the first request to the signature at delivery.
Step 1, booking and quote
Everything starts through the form on our site or by email. You send us the pickup location, destination address, vehicle make and model, VIN, and condition (running or non-running). Within a few hours you receive a quote with a timeline, the choice of open or enclosed transport, and the option of supplementary insurance.
For premium cars (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Pagani) we recommend enclosed transport with air-ride suspension. For classic and fleet vehicles, open transport, which is faster and more affordable. For destination specifics, see the our transport services section.
Step 2, confirmation and route planning
After your approval, we reserve the slot and add the vehicle to the schedule. We work with 150+ vetted partners and 200+ regular corridors across 28 EU countries, including UK, Switzerland, and Norway. That means available capacity within 48 hours for most routes.
Standard delivery within the EU is 3 to 5 working days. The Germany to Slovakia or Czech Republic route normally takes 1 to 3 days. Southern EU (Italy, Spain, Portugal) and Scandinavia, 7 to 10 days. We offer express mode on request for time-critical shipments.
Step 3, driver contact and coordination
24 hours before pickup, a dispatcher contacts you with the driver's exact name, phone number, and expected arrival time. Drivers are of Slovak, Czech, English, German, or Polish nationality, with average experience of more than eight years in road vehicle transport.
If pickup is at a third party (seller, auction house), we connect the communication directly. You do not need to be present; a power of attorney or an agreed code word at handover is enough.
Step 4, pickup and photo documentation
At pickup, the driver performs a visual inspection of the vehicle and prepares photo documentation of the VIN, license plate, four sides of the body, and the interior. Images are uploaded into the dispatch system with a timestamp. This step is critical: it serves as evidence of the condition before transport and as the basis for any potential claim.
The vehicle is fixed exclusively with soft straps at approved chassis points, never via the axles or the body. Premium cars with air-ride are placed in transport mode before fixing. You or the seller sign a handover protocol confirming the condition.
Step 5, transport and GPS tracking
After dispatch you receive an email or SMS with a link to live GPS tracking. You can see the truck's position in real time. Dispatch operates 24/7, 365 days a year, and monitors every truck on the route.
During transport the vehicle is covered by CMR insurance. If you selected supplementary insurance in the quote, the coverage extends to the full market value of the vehicle. When crossing UK or Switzerland, we also handle customs formalities; full service is included in the quote via the Brexit surcharge or CH surcharge.
For specific corridors, see for example car transport from Germany.
Step 6, unloading and delivery check
The driver contacts you 12 to 24 hours before delivery with a refined time. At the unloading site, the driver again prepares full photo documentation of the vehicle and compares the condition with the documentation from the pickup location. You or an authorized person walk through the vehicle together with the driver.
If the vehicle is without issue, the CMR consignment note is signed without reservations. If you find anything (a scratch, a crack, a missing key), it is recorded directly into the CMR note, a photo is taken, and dispatch immediately initiates a claim through insurance. That is why you should never sign a CMR note blindly.
Step 7, document handover and closing
After signing the CMR, the driver hands over the original documents (purchase agreement, registration document, COC if it traveled with the vehicle) in a sealed envelope. You then receive an electronic copy of the CMR note and the complete photo documentation from both ends of the route by email.
That closes the transport. For any follow-up question after delivery, dispatch supports you for an additional 14 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be present at pickup in person?
No. A power of attorney for a third party (seller, colleague, family member) or an agreed code word is enough. The driver only hands the vehicle over to a person with verified identity.
What should I do if I find damage after delivery?
Record it on the CMR note during handover and take a photo. The claim is handled through the carrier's CMR insurance, or through supplementary insurance if you chose it. After signing a CMR without reservations, a later claim becomes complicated, so give the handover full attention.
Can I leave personal items in the car?
Personal items in the car are not recommended for transport within the EU. CMR insurance covers the vehicle, not the contents. If it is unavoidable, agree on it in advance and describe the contents in the handover protocol.
What is the difference between open and enclosed transport?
Open transport is the standard for most vehicles. Enclosed transport protects the vehicle from weather, stones, and prying eyes; it is suitable for premium, classic, and high-value cars. It always comes in combination with air-ride suspension and soft strap fixation.
What if the car is not running?
We load it with a winch and a special ramp. State the vehicle's condition in your quote (brakes, steering, battery, wheels), and we will choose a suitable truck and account for the surcharge for non-running vehicles.
What is the scope of CMR insurance?
CMR insurance covers the carrier's liability for damage during transport under the international road transport convention. For higher vehicle values, we recommend supplementary insurance that covers the full market value.
What's next
Professional transport shows in the details: documentation, communication, and readiness. You receive all of this as standard, with no extra fees.
Start by requesting a quote. For an overview of our full offering, see our transport services, or read the specific terms for car transport from Germany.
