What "deliver a car" means and your main options
Delivering a car means getting a vehicle from one location to another — usually because you sold it, need to move it across distance, or are sending it to someone who bought it. You have three realistic paths: drive it yourself, hire a professional auto transport company, or use a peer-to-peer delivery service where a driver picks it up and takes it to the destination.
Which option makes sense depends on the distance, the car's condition, whether it runs, and how much you want to spend. Driving it yourself costs almost nothing but takes your time. Professional transport costs $600 to $2,500 depending on distance and vehicle type, but the car is insured and you don't have to be there. Peer services like Roadie or uShip fall somewhere in between — cheaper than traditional transport but less formal.
Before you choose, you need to know whether the car is registered and insured, whether the title has been transferred, and whether the person receiving it is ready to take possession. These details change what paperwork you'll need and who can legally drive it during delivery.
Key Takeaways
- Driving the car yourself is free but requires the vehicle to run, valid registration, and insurance that covers the trip.
- Professional auto transport companies handle long distances and insure the vehicle, but cost $600 to $2,500 depending on distance and whether you need door-to-door service.
- Peer delivery services like Roadie or uShip are cheaper than traditional transport but require the car to run and you to coordinate pickup and dropoff.
- The title must be signed over to the new owner before or at delivery, and you should have proof of sale in writing to protect both parties.
- The car must have valid registration and insurance during transport, even if you're using a delivery service — confirm who holds the insurance policy.
Driving the car yourself
This is the cheapest option if the distance is under 500 miles and the car runs reliably. You pay only for gas, tolls, and meals. The car stays under your control the entire time, and you can inspect it at the destination before handing it over.
Before you leave, make sure the registration is current and the insurance is active. If you're delivering a car you just sold, the buyer's insurance may not cover it until they take possession — so confirm with your insurance company that you're covered for this trip. If the title hasn't been transferred yet, you're still the legal owner and responsible if something happens.
The main risk is mechanical breakdown on the road. If the car breaks down far from home, you're paying for a tow and a hotel. For this reason, driving yourself only makes sense if the car has been recently serviced and you trust it to make the trip. If the car doesn't run or hasn't been driven in months, professional transport is safer.
Hiring a professional auto transport company
Auto transport companies pick up the car from your location and deliver it to the buyer's address. They handle all the driving, and the vehicle is covered by their insurance during transit. This is the standard method for long-distance sales and for cars that don't run.
Costs vary widely based on distance, vehicle size, and service level. Open transport (the car sits on an open trailer with others) typically costs $600 to $1,200 for a 1,000-mile trip. Enclosed transport (the car goes in a covered trailer) costs $1,200 to $2,500 for the same distance because it protects against weather and road debris. Shorter distances — under 300 miles — may cost $400 to $800.
To get a quote, you'll need the vehicle's make, model, year, and current location, plus the delivery address. Most companies ask whether the car runs; if it doesn't, they may charge extra for equipment to load it. Once you book, the company will contact you with a pickup window (usually a 2-to-7-day range) and a driver will inspect the car before loading it. You and the driver should document the car's condition in writing — photos help if there's a dispute later.
The car is insured during transport, but the coverage is limited. Most policies cover damage from accidents or weather but not pre-existing damage or mechanical failure. Read the contract carefully and ask what's covered. Delivery usually takes 3 to 10 days depending on distance. The buyer should be ready to receive it and inspect it when ready — if they refuse delivery or aren't home, you may be charged storage fees.
Using peer-to-peer delivery services
Services like Roadie, uShip, and Shipt connect you with independent drivers who will pick up and deliver your car for a fee. These are usually cheaper than traditional transport companies — often $400 to $1,200 for a 1,000-mile trip — but less formal and with less insurance protection.
The process is straightforward: you post the job (vehicle type, pickup location, delivery location, and any special needs), drivers bid on it, and you choose one. The driver then picks up the car at an agreed time and drives it to the destination. Payment is usually held in escrow until delivery is confirmed.
The main limitation is that the car must run and be drivable. These services don't use trailers, so the driver is literally driving your car to the buyer. You need to trust the driver with your vehicle, and you should confirm their insurance coverage before handing over the keys. Most peer services provide some liability coverage, but it's often lower than traditional transport — read the terms carefully.
Delivery times are usually faster than traditional transport because the driver is making a direct trip rather than waiting for a full trailer. However, there's less accountability if something goes wrong. If the car is damaged or the driver doesn't show up, your recourse depends on the platform's dispute process.
Preparing the car and paperwork for delivery
Before the car leaves, make sure the fuel tank has enough gas to reach the destination (or enough for the driver to reach a gas station). If you're using a delivery service, confirm with the driver whether they'll refuel or if that's your responsibility.
Remove personal items from the car — the glove box, trunk, and under the seats. The delivery driver shouldn't have access to anything you don't want them to see, and you don't want to lose valuables in transit. Leave the car clean and in the condition you promised the buyer.
The title is the most important document. If you're selling the car, the title must be signed over to the new owner. Some states allow you to sign it before delivery; others require both parties to sign at the time of sale. Check your state's DMV website to learn the rule. Have the signed title ready, along with any other documents the buyer needs — maintenance records, service history, or the original purchase paperwork if you have it.
Write a bill of sale (a straightforward one-page document stating the vehicle details, sale price, and both signatures) and keep a copy for your records. This protects both you and the buyer if there's a dispute later about the condition or terms of the sale.
What happens at delivery
When the car arrives, the buyer should inspect it when ready — check that it runs, test the lights and wipers, look for damage, and confirm the mileage matches what was promised. If you're not there in person, ask the buyer to take photos or video of the inspection and send them to you.
Once the buyer is satisfied, they sign the title and bill of sale. You sign over the title (or provide your signature if you haven't already), and the buyer keeps both documents. They'll need these to register the car in their name at the DMV.
If the buyer finds damage or the car doesn't run as promised, that's when the bill of sale matters — it documents what was agreed to and protects you both. If you sold the car "as is," that's usually binding, but if you promised specific repairs or conditions, the buyer may have grounds to refuse delivery or ask for compensation.
After delivery, remove the car from your insurance policy and notify your state's DMV that you've sold it. Most states allow you to submit the signed title and a form to release your liability. This protects you if the buyer gets into an accident before they register the car in their name.
Delivery when the car doesn't run
If the car is broken down or hasn't run in years, you can't use peer delivery services or drive it yourself. Your only option is professional auto transport with a trailer.
When you call for a quote, tell the company the car doesn't run and describe its condition — is it stuck in park, does the battery need charging, are the wheels flat? Some companies charge extra to load a non-running vehicle because they need special equipment. Others include it in the standard fee.
Make sure the car is accessible — if it's in a garage or behind a locked gate, tell the driver in advance. They may need extra time or equipment to reach it. On pickup day, have the keys ready and be present to sign off on the condition report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy insurance for the delivery driver?
No. If you're using a professional transport company, their insurance covers the vehicle during transit. If you're using a peer service, the platform provides some coverage, but you should confirm the limits before booking. If you're driving the car yourself, your own insurance should cover it — call your agent to confirm before you leave.
What if the buyer isn't home when the car arrives?
The delivery driver will wait a short time (usually 15 to 30 minutes), but if the buyer doesn't show up, the driver may leave and you'll be charged a redelivery fee. Coordinate with the buyer in advance and confirm they'll be there. If there's a delay, contact the delivery company when ready — don't wait for the driver to leave.
Can I deliver a car across state lines?
Yes. The car's registration and insurance must be valid during transport, but there are no restrictions on crossing state lines. The buyer will register the car in their own state once they take possession. If you're delivering to a different state, confirm the buyer knows what documents they'll need to register it there.
Who pays for delivery — me or the buyer?
That's up to you and the buyer to decide. Some sellers include delivery in the sale price; others ask the buyer to pay for it. If the buyer is paying, get the delivery quote before you agree on a price, so they know the total cost. Put the payment responsibility in writing on the bill of sale to avoid confusion.
What if the car gets damaged during delivery?
If you used a professional transport company, file a claim with their insurance when ready — take photos and get a written estimate for repairs. If you used a peer service, file a dispute through the platform. If you drove it yourself, you're responsible for any damage. This is why documenting the car's condition before delivery (with photos) is important — it proves what condition it was in when it left.