If you’re shipping a car for the first time, the auto transport industry can feel confusing fast. Brokers, carriers, open vs enclosed trailers — it’s a lot of terminology to take in. Understanding a few common car shipping terms makes the entire process smoother and helps you avoid surprises when getting quotes or booking transport.
At its core, car shipping (or auto transport) is the professional service of moving a vehicle from one location to another using specialized transport trucks. Most customers work with either a broker, who arranges the shipment, or a carrier, who physically transports the vehicle.
One of the most common transport methods is open auto transport, where cars are shipped on open trailers. This method is popular because it is cost-effective and easily available. For high-value or luxury vehicles, enclosed auto transport provides additional protection by keeping the vehicle covered during transit.
You’ll also hear terms like door-to-door shipping, which means the vehicle is picked up and delivered as close as possible to your specified locations, and terminal-to-terminal shipping, where cars are dropped off and collected at designated facilities. Door-to-door is generally more convenient, while terminal shipping may sometimes reduce costs.
Another important document in car shipping is the Bill of Lading (BOL). This serves as both a receipt and a condition report, noting the vehicle’s condition before pickup and after delivery. It’s one of the most important pieces of paperwork in the transport process.
Pricing is based on factors such as distance, vehicle size, transport type, season and demand. Many customers start by using an auto transport calculator to get a rough cost estimate before booking. You can explore an online car shipping calculator here to understand how pricing is estimated and what details impact your quote:
👉 https://www.transportrankings.com/transport-calculator
Other common terms include insurance or valuation coverage, which outlines how much protection is included during transport and delivery, which refer to estimated pickup and drop-off timeframes rather than guaranteed dates.
Knowing these basic car shipping terms helps you to communicate confidently with transport companies, compare quotes accurately and make decisions about how your vehicle is going to ship. Whether you are relocating or sending a vehicle across the country, understanding the language of auto transport puts you in control of the process.