How to Track Your Car During Shipping: What Updates to Expect

How to Track Your Car During Shipping: What Updates to Expect

Many people view shipping vehicles as an enormous logistical task. And for many customers, the time frame between when their vehicle leaves their house and arrives at its destination is a never-ending question.

The number one issue for all auto transport customers is tracking, because to them it means much more than a piece of information; it means peace of mind. And when you are handing over the keys to one of your most valuable possessions, you want visibility into the asset’s movement and clear communication so you can feel confident about its status.

 However, it is also important for auto transport customers to know that typical auto transport tracking is usually based on milestones rather than continuous, turn-by-turn, real-time GPS tracking as they would find in a food delivery application.

At Preowned Auto Logistics (PAL), we recognize that providing our customers with full visibility throughout the shipping process is key to delivering a successful, enjoyable shipping experience. We are proud to provide our customers with full visibility from the initial quote through the final delivery of their vehicle.

How Car Shipping Tracking Works (Overview)

Auto Transport is a cooperative process among the Broker (who arranges for your vehicle to be transported), the Carrier (the truck/driver who physically transports your vehicle), and you, the Customer.

GPS tracking vs status updates

Many customers think every car carrier will have a live GPS link to track their vehicle. Still, while many specialized enclosed carriers offer GPS tracking links to their customers, standard transportation does not. Most brokers and carriers provide status updates.

Status updates vs GPS tracking

• •GPS tracking: A live dot on a map. Very rare in auto transport due to driver safety, privacy concerns, and distractions caused by GPS use in vehicles.
• •Status updates: Human-verified milestones shared at key points during the journey.

Communication channels

Updates are usually communicated via three channels:

1. Email: Official documents, carrier assignments, confirmation of milestones along the route.

2.Text/SMS: Mainly used by drivers to communicate pickup and delivery times.

3. Phone: Required for the 12 – 24 hour “Pre-Arrival” Call.

Customer expectations

You can expect frequent updates at both the beginning and the end of the move. Once the driver begins traveling on the interstate, there will be less communication about your vehicle’s movement.

Step-by-Step Checklist: How to Track Your Vehicle

Do not contact the trucking company to inquire about tracking once the trucker picks up the car.

Confirm the tracking process and booking.

• Ask what updates are included: Ask the logistics representative during booking which types of notifications they offer, such as automatic emails or direct contact with a dispatcher.
• Save their contact: Save the contact information for both the logistics coordinator (office) and, later, the driver.
• Verify pick-up windows: Pick-up/delivery “days” are typically two-day windows.

Prepare for pickup day updates.

Be prepared for updates on the pickup date. The first major milestone is when the truck picks up your car.

• The driver’s call: 12-24 hours before the driver’s arrival, you will be contacted by phone or text with a more precise time frame of 2-4 hours before their arrival.
• The inspection: You will receive a Bill of Lading (BOL). This is the main tracking document issued by the shipping carrier. Upon receipt, this document is the official “start” point in the shipping carrier’s tracking system.
• Accessibility: Truckers are required to follow a strict schedule based on Department of Transportation regulations. If you cannot answer their calls, they may need to skip over you and go to the next customer.

Track the progress of the shipment while in transit

The update frequency will increase after the vehicle is loaded onto the truck.

• Cadence: During long-haul shipments, you should expect to receive a status update approximately every 24-48 hours.
• Adjustments: When the trucker encounters a closed pass in the Rocky Mountains or experiences a mechanical issue, the estimated time of arrival (ETA) will be updated.
• Status inquiries: If you don’t receive any status updates within 48 hours, you are justified to make one telephone call to your logistics provider to request an update.

 Follow the shipment’s status from shipment to delivery.

Communication with the driver will become more frequent as the truck approaches its final destination.

•     The 24-hour notice: Before the day of delivery, the trucker will contact the consignee (you) and provide them with a time frame in which he plans to arrive.

•     Final coordinations: Approximately one hour before arrival, the trucker will make a second contact with the consignee to confirm that there will be someone available to accept delivery of the vehicle.

•     Final inspection: After the vehicle is delivered and unloaded, the trucker will enter a “Delivery Confirmation” into the tracking system.

Types of Shipping Updates You Should Expect

Pre-pickup updates:

• Carrier assignment: Which trucking company was vetted and assigned to your move by email
• Scheduling window: When they will pick up your car (2 days)
• Driver introduction: Who is picking up the package and what is their cell phone number?

Updates while moving:

• Loaded confirmation: Your car has passed the inspection and is officially on the road.
• Route progress: How far along the route they are (e.g., “The carrier is currently in Nebraska…”), with the estimated delivery date remaining the same.
• Delay notifications: If there are weather delays, traffic delays, etc.

Delivery updates:

• ETA notice: Delivery time as a driver approaches you (within about 100 miles).
• Final coordination: Call saying, “See you in an hour.”
• Delivery confirmation: Digital or physical copy of the receipt showing that the car has been delivered and the BOL has been signed.

Vehicle Pick-Up and What to Expect

Documentation begins with vehicle pick-up. Once the vehicle arrives, verify:

• Verification: Verify the driver’s name and his employer.
• Inspection: Both you and the driver will inspect the vehicle. The driver will photograph the vehicle from all angles. The driver will also note any pre-existing damage by marking it on the Bill of Lading (BOL) before signing. This protects you as the owner.
• Bill of Lading: You will sign the BOL. Most modern carriers now use electronic tablet-based BOLs that are automatically emailed to you upon signature.
• Timeline: At this point, the driver may provide an approximate timeline of his route.

Pro-tips for vehicle pick-up:

• Clean the vehicle: A clean vehicle makes it easier to capture high-quality images of the vehicle at the time of pick-up.
• Remove personal property: Any personal property left in the vehicle is NOT covered under the vehicle shipping insurance policy.
• Document: Take your own high-quality photographs of the vehicle at the time of pick-up.

Common Tracking Limitations (And Why They Happen)

Why can’t you see your car every second? Several logistical factors are at work in the industry:

•    Vehicles per trailer (Multi-Vehicle): There are usually seven or ten vehicles per trailer. When the driver unloads the vehicle in front of your car, the unloading could be delayed by several hours, without affecting your car.

•    Rural/cellular signal issues: The vast majority of trucks travel through areas of low signal strength. As a result, updates from the carrier are likely to be delayed until they reach a metropolitan area.

•    Safety & DOT laws: Truckers are required to take “rest periods” to rest and eat. These are 10-hour stops during which the truck is stationary and therefore does not send any status updates to the customer.

•    Wind/rain/snow: Wind, rain, and snow have a greater effect on car haulers than they do on passenger cars because of the height and weight of the car hauling equipment.

Common Errors and Misconceptions About Car Shipping Tracking

#1. Expecting “Uber-style” live tracking

Auto transport drivers are dealing with large, heavy vehicles that exceed 80,000 lbs.; they do not have time to check their GPS and send ping updates every block constantly. Milestone tracking is a common practice in the auto transportation industry, as it enables tracking the vehicle’s movement and provides evidence of the shipment’s safety.

#2. Assuming silence means a problem

When auto transport companies ship large vehicles across the country, “no news is good news.” If the driver has no issues with the load, they will continue to drive until they reach their destination. If, after 24 hours, you haven’t heard from your driver, the chances are he is having a smooth trip and running ahead of schedule.

#3. Misunderstanding delivery windows.

Most delivery “dates” are estimates and can be affected by traffic in major cities such as Atlanta and New York. For example, if your shipment was to arrive at 2 pm and the truck gets stuck in traffic, it could easily take until 6 pm to arrive.

4. Believing tracking affects speed

Checking the status of your shipment 5-6 times per day will not cause the truck to move any faster than it would otherwise. The speed of the truck is regulated by speed limits and federally mandated electronic logging devices (ELDs).

Tips to Stay Informed Without Stressing

•     Set realistic expectations: Realistically, drivers may only contact you when picking up the car and when returning it.

•     Keep documents accessible: Keep documents handy on your phone; save the order #, as well as the company’s customer support.

•     Communicate proactively: If you have a time constraint (e.g., a flight), let your coordinator know ASAP, so they can notify the driver where he is in their delivery sequence.

•     Trust the process: Most importantly, trust the process. The professional car transport companies, such as PAL, move tens of thousands of cars per year.

How PAL Ensures Transparency During Shipping

At Preowned Auto Logistics, we don’t want you guessing. We ensure transparency through:

• Proactive milestone updates: We keep you informed of key events so you don’t have to track them down yourself.
• Dedicated customer support: You’ll have a dedicated customer support representative to call with any questions about your specific vehicle.
• Carrier vetting: All our approved carrier providers are thoroughly vetted for their ability to communicate clearly and reliably.
• Clear process: We will provide you with clear information on when and how our team will contact you at every stage of the process after you receive your quote.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tracking Your Car

How often will I get updates?

Typically, you would receive an update when your shipment is booked, when your carrier is assigned, when your shipment is picked up, in the middle of your shipment’s transit (for longer distances), and finally at the time of delivery.

Is GPS tracking available for all shipments?

No. High-end enclosed transportation carriers increasingly offer GPS tracking. However, most open-carrier transportation does not use GPS tracking. Instead, it utilizes a method called milestone reporting.

Whom do I contact for status updates?

You may either contact the PAL Support Team or the driver directly after he contacts you with his contact information.

What if my delivery is delayed?

Weather and traffic can cause delivery delays. If there is a significant delay, your Logistics Coordinator will contact you with a new estimated delivery date/time.

Will the driver call before arrival?

Yes. Generally, drivers will call you 12-24 hours before arrival, then again 1-2 hours before.

How accurate are delivery estimates?

The estimated delivery date/time is usually quite accurate for the day of delivery. However, the exact delivery time can vary depending on local traffic conditions and other factors, such as how many stops were made previously.

What happens if I miss the driver’s call?

The driver will leave a message. You must contact the driver as soon as possible so he can verify whether you are available to accept the delivery. Failure to contact the driver will result in him moving on to his next delivery location.

Conclusion: What Clear Tracking Means for Your Shipping Experience

Auto tracking while shipping your automobile is not all about how many miles are logged in each shipment, but about the professionalism and communication from the transporter. Understanding that auto transporters use a milestone-based reporting system, you can determine your expectations for the shipping process and reduce stress.

The key to a good auto shipping experience is to prepare by selecting a transparent company, such as Preowned Auto Logistics. This will allow you to know that you are not only shipping a vehicle, but also a company that cares about your peace of mind and the safety of your vehicle.

Are you ready to ship? Choose an expert transportation service that keeps you informed at every stage of your shipping process. Contact us today for a quote that delivers both reliability and transparency.