A smooth vehicle transport experience starts before the booking is made. The more accurate your information is, the easier it is for the transport team to assess the movement, confirm requirements and guide you through the next steps.
Whether you are moving a car interstate, sending a vehicle to a buyer, relocating for work, arranging dealer movement or planning a business vehicle transfer, this checklist will help you prepare.
Autocare provides vehicle transport services across Australia for passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles, including local and interstate movements. Its transport network uses road, rail and sea, depending on the route and vehicle movement requirements.
Quick answer: What do I need before enquiring about car transport?
Before enquiring about car transport, prepare:
- Pickup suburb and destination suburb
- Vehicle make and model
- Vehicle registration status
- Vehicle condition
- Whether the vehicle is drivable
- Whether the vehicle has modifications
- Whether the vehicle has at least 15cm clearance
- Whether it has broken windows
- Whether personal belongings are included
- Whether the movement is to or from Western Australia
- Collection and delivery contact details
- Any special transport requirements
Having this information ready can reduce back-and-forth and help the transport team understand the movement clearly.
1. Confirm the pickup and delivery locations
Start with the pickup and delivery suburbs. Be as specific as possible.
You should also know whether the vehicle will be collected from:
- A private home
- A business address
- A dealership
- A depot
- An auction site
- A storage facility
- An agent location
- A call-to-meet point
Large car carriers need safe access for loading and unloading. If a private street, business driveway or local road is not suitable, another handover arrangement may be needed.
Autocare states that where it does not have an Autocare depot, it may use other reputable companies to take possession of the vehicle. Some movements may also use an agent location or call-to-meet point where direct delivery to a private or business location is not available.
2. Check whether a depot or agent location is useful
Depot and agent locations can make vehicle handover easier, especially where door collection or delivery is not practical.
Autocare lists depot and agent locations across several Australian states and territories, including New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
Before choosing a depot option, check:
- The depot address
- Opening hours
- Whether you can arrive before closing
- Whether someone can collect you after drop-off
- Whether the vehicle can be driven away after arrival
- Whether the collection contact has the booking details
- Whether the depot requires arrival before closing time
Many Autocare depot and agent listings ask customers to arrive 30 minutes before closing time to allow enough time for vehicle collection.
3. Confirm the vehicle is drivable
Before enquiring, check that the vehicle starts, steers and brakes safely.
Autocare states that it is not currently equipped to move non-drivable vehicles. Vehicles must be drivable, with operable steering, foot brake and hand brake.
Check:
- The vehicle starts
- The steering works
- The foot brake works
- The hand brake works
- The tyres are suitable for loading and unloading
- The battery has enough charge
- The vehicle can be moved safely by the driver
If the vehicle does not start, has brake issues or cannot be safely moved, contact Autocare before proceeding with a standard transport booking.
4. Review the vehicle eligibility checklist
Before submitting a vehicle transport enquiry, check whether the vehicle meets Autocare's standard transport requirements.
Autocare's website checklist asks customers to confirm that the vehicle is drivable, has no modifications, has at least 15cm clearance, has no broken windows, is less than 30 years old, is valued below $150,000 and is clear of personal possessions unless declared as part of the transport service. Vehicles transported to or from Western Australia must be free of personal goods.
Before enquiring, review:
- Vehicle age
- Vehicle value
- Ground clearance
- Modifications
- Broken windows
- External accessories
- Drivability
- Personal items
- WA movement requirements
If anything does not meet the standard checklist, contact Autocare before booking so the team can review your transport requirements.
5. Disclose modifications and external accessories
Vehicle modifications and external accessories can affect transport planning.
Examples include:
- Lowered suspension
- Body kits
- Oversized tyres
- Roof racks
- Bull bars
- Rear window louvres
- Bonnet protectors
- Tow bar tongues
- Canopies
- Commercial fit-outs
- Non-standard vehicle dimensions
Autocare's FAQ says that in some instances, roof racks, weather shields, rear window louvres, bonnet protectors and tow bar tongues may need to be removed. Customers should contact Autocare if they have concerns about external accessories.
The safest approach is to disclose anything that makes the vehicle different from a standard factory vehicle.
6. Remove or declare personal belongings
Do not assume the vehicle can be used to move personal items.
Autocare's FAQ says personal belongings can be inside the vehicle only if they have been booked with the transport service and are securely packed into boxes or suitcases in the boot. Vehicles transported to or from Western Australia must be free of personal goods.
Before collection or depot drop-off, remove:
- Valuables
- Loose items
- Chargers and cables
- Toll tags
- Garage remotes
- Tools
- Food and drink
- Work equipment
- Sports gear
- Camping gear
- Personal documents
- Items stored under seats
- Items in door pockets
- Items in roof pods or trays
For Western Australia movements, the vehicle should be completely free of personal goods.
7. Check Western Australia requirements early
If the vehicle is travelling to or from Western Australia, extra preparation is needed.
Autocare requires vehicles transported to or from Western Australia to be free of personal goods.
Western Australia also has strict biosecurity controls. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development says Quarantine WA enforces strict biosecurity laws and advises travellers to check restrictions before importing items into WA. It also states that interstate freight arriving by rail and sea is assessed by quarantine inspection staff, with checks including whether vehicles are clean of soil and plant material.
Before a WA movement, make sure the vehicle is:
- Empty
- Clean inside
- Clean outside
- Free from soil and plant material
- Free from food
- Free from garden items
- Free from camping debris
- Ready for inspection and loading
Pay particular attention to tyres, wheel arches, mats, the boot, trays, underbody areas and storage compartments where dirt, seeds or plant material may collect.
8. Make sure someone is available at collection and delivery
Autocare advises that someone should be present when the vehicle is collected or delivered. Drivers conduct a vehicle survey, and the customer is asked to sign and agree with it. Autocare says this process can take 15 to 30 minutes.
Before the handover, confirm:
- Who will be present
- Their phone number
- Their availability
- They understand the vehicle survey process
- They have the keys
- They know where the vehicle is located
- They can allow enough time for inspection
- They know what to do if the driver calls ahead
This helps avoid missed handovers and delays.
9. Keep timing flexible
Vehicle transport timing depends on location, route, volume and conditions.
Autocare advises that local moves can take up to 2 weeks and interstate moves can take up to 4 weeks, subject to location and volume at the time of booking. Transit times are indicative only and can be affected by weather, high movement volumes and specialised services. Autocare also advises customers not to plan travel, holidays or work commitments around the transport of their vehicle.
For smoother planning, avoid scheduling important travel, vehicle handovers or business commitments around an exact delivery date unless timing has been confirmed.
10. Know when to contact Autocare before booking
Some vehicle movements need extra review before they can proceed.
Contact Autocare before booking if:
- The vehicle is not drivable
- The vehicle has mechanical issues
- The vehicle has modifications
- The vehicle has low clearance
- The vehicle has broken windows
- The vehicle is damaged
- The vehicle is older than the standard checklist allows
- The vehicle is high value
- The movement is to or from Western Australia
- The vehicle has external accessories
- You need priority movement or enclosed transport
- The pickup or delivery location may be difficult for a carrier to access
Autocare's FAQ says special transport requirements, such as priority movement or enclosed transport requests, should be discussed with its Customer Service team.
11. Prepare your final enquiry checklist
Before contacting Autocare, have this information ready:
- Pickup suburb
- Delivery suburb
- Vehicle make
- Vehicle model
- Vehicle registration status
- Vehicle condition
- Drivability confirmation
- Modification details
- Clearance details
- Broken window status
- External accessory details
- Personal belongings status
- WA movement status
- Preferred collection timing
- Pickup contact
- Delivery contact
- Any special transport request
This gives the transport team the information needed to assess the movement properly and guide you through the next steps.
12. Final vehicle preparation checklist
Before collection or depot drop-off, complete these final checks:
- Remove loose items and valuables
- Empty the vehicle if it is going to or from WA
- Secure any approved belongings in the boot
- Clean the vehicle
- Check the vehicle starts
- Check steering and brakes
- Check tyres
- Check battery condition
- Remove or disclose external accessories
- Confirm pickup and delivery contacts
- Have the keys ready
- Allow enough time for the vehicle survey
A prepared vehicle is easier to inspect, load, move and hand over.
Frequently asked questions
What information do I need before booking car transport?
Prepare pickup and delivery locations, vehicle make and model, vehicle condition, drivability, modifications, clearance, personal belongings status, WA movement status and pickup and delivery contact details.
Does my car need to be drivable?
Yes. Autocare states that vehicles must be drivable, with operable steering, foot brake and hand brake.
Can I leave personal belongings in the car?
Personal belongings may be allowed only if they are booked with the transport service and securely packed into boxes or suitcases in the boot. Vehicles transported to or from Western Australia must be free of personal goods.
Do I need to be present when the vehicle is collected?
Yes. Autocare advises that someone should be present for collection and delivery so the vehicle survey can be completed and signed. The process can take 15 to 30 minutes.
What should I do if my vehicle has modifications?
Disclose the modifications before booking. Modified vehicles or vehicles with external accessories may need additional review.
What should I check before transporting a car to Western Australia?
Make sure the vehicle is empty, clean inside and outside, and free from soil, plant material, food, garden items and camping debris. Autocare requires vehicles transported to or from Western Australia to be free of personal goods.
Preparing to move a vehicle?
Start a vehicle transport enquiry with Autocare and use this checklist before collection or depot drop-off.
