How does auto transport work?

This simple guide walks you through the process in just three easy steps.

We know your car isn’t just a vehicle — it’s something you care deeply about. That’s why we take the time to address every question and concern you may have, including the basics like, “How does auto transport actually work?” While some companies avoid detailed explanations, we welcome them and believe informed customers make confident decisions.

Whether you’re heading out on a new adventure, relocating, or buying or selling a vehicle online, you deserve reliable auto transport at a fair price. With a proven track record of outstanding service and a 5-star reputation, NIKI provides dependable, high-quality vehicle shipping you can trust from start to finish.

Step 1

FREE Quotation

Get started by using our free instant quote calculator to receive a fast estimate, or speak directly with a NIKI advisor by calling 888-777-8977. When you’re ready to move forward, simply follow the instructions sent to your email or contact our team to complete your booking. During the booking process, a dedicated representative will review all shipment details with you and finalize your order to ensure everything is accurate.

There’s no upfront payment required—your card won’t be charged until your vehicle shipment is scheduled for pickup. With NIKI’s 30-day TruePrice Guarantee, the rate you confirm at booking is fully protected. If market prices increase during your protection window, NIKI covers the difference, ensuring you never pay more than the agreed price.

If you have questions about payment options, financing, or need assistance at any step, our knowledgeable advisors are here to help. Reach out to us or start a Live Chat today to get personalized support and move forward with confidence.

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NIKI CAR TRANSPORT

Step 2

We pick up your vehicle

Once your shipment is scheduled, you’ll coordinate directly with your assigned carrier to confirm the pickup date, time, and a convenient, easy-to-reach location. Flexible options are available, and in many cases you can authorize the release of your vehicle even if you’re at work or unable to be present in person.

When the carrier arrives, you’ll complete a joint inspection of your vehicle to document its condition. This step is finalized by signing the Bill of Lading, ensuring everything is properly recorded before transport begins. After that, you’re free to continue with your plans while we handle the rest of the process.

Your vehicle will be cared for every step of the way, and staying informed is easy. You can get updates through our online chat or contact your carrier directly to track your car’s progress throughout its journey and know exactly where it is along the way.

Step 3

Receive your vehicle

Being reunited with your vehicle is always an exciting milestone—and it’s one we’re just as happy to be part of at NIKI.

As delivery approaches, your carrier will reach out to let you know your vehicle is nearly there, allowing you to prepare to meet them at your driveway or another convenient, pre-arranged location nearby.

Once your car arrives, you’ll complete a final inspection together to confirm it was delivered in the same condition as pickup. After that, you’ll sign the Bill of Lading to officially complete the delivery. It’s a smooth, simple finish to your vehicle’s journey.

NIKI AUTO TRANSPORT 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE

What customers say about shipping a car from and to California with NIKI

NIKI AUTO TRANSPORT

20 YEARS EXPERIENCE

FREE QUOTATION

SATISFACTION GUARANTEE

NIKI AUTO TRANSPORT

NIKI Auto Transport Reviews

  • NIKI is among the top-rated car transport services in California. The company offers high-quality vehicle shipping options, including enclosed auto transport, adding an extra layer of security to your vehicle during shipment.

  • How It Works

    We provide a seamless and efficient process for car shipping. From acquiring the quote, vehicle pick-up, to the final delivery, we ensure a hassle-free experience.

    Our Advantage

    As one of the top auto shipping companies in California, we provide top-notch services, ensuring safety, efficiency, and complete customer satisfaction.

    Transport Services

    We offer a variety of transport services including, open and enclosed auto transport, door-to-door car shipping, classic car transport, motorcycle shipping, and more.

NIKI AUTO TRANSPORT

The benefits and advantages of shipping with NIKI Auto Transport.

Professional Team

As a leading auto transport company, we ensure your vehicle is shipped safely and efficiently from start to finish. Our team of seasoned transport experts manages every detail of the process, giving you peace of mind and a smooth, hassle-free shipping experience.

Extended hours

Why choose our auto transport company? Niki Auto Transport is with you every step of the way, making your car or truck shipment simple and stress-free. When you ship with us, you’ll experience a smooth, worry-free process from start to finish.

Dedicated advisors

Our team of professional auto transport advisors works around the clock to ensure your shipping experience is seamless from start to finish. Whether you’re transporting a family car, luxury vehicle, or truck, our experts are always available to provide guidance, updates, and personalized support.

The best company

Why do customers say Niki is the best choice for car shipping? Our reputation speaks for itself—just take a look at our online reviews and testimonials. Thousands of satisfied customers trust Niki Auto Transport for our reliability, transparency, and exceptional service. From coast to coast, drivers choose us as one of the most dependable car shipping and vehicle hauling companies in the industry.

Zero upfront payment

That’s right—no upfront payment required! At Niki Auto Transport, you won’t be charged until a carrier has been assigned to your shipment. This means you can secure your booking today without any immediate payment or risk. The best auto transport companies operate this way to give you confidence and flexibility—so you can plan your car shipment now and handle the cost only when your vehicle is ready to hit the road.

Insurance coverage

Every car transport quote from Niki Auto Transport includes insurance coverage for your peace of mind. We carefully screen and approve each auto hauler in our network, ensuring they meet or exceed industry insurance requirements before they’re allowed to transport your vehicle. This guarantees that your car is protected throughout the entire shipping process by fully insured, trusted professionals.

Nationwide auto carriers

Niki Auto Transport partners with a vast network of professional haulers who are carefully vetted for reliability, experience, and expertise. Each carrier in our network is a trusted auto shipping specialist dedicated to handling your vehicle with the utmost care. We work only with transporters who treat every car as if it were their own—ensuring your vehicle arrives safely, securely, and on time.

Extended hours

Our award-winning team of auto transport advisors is available 365 days a year to support all your vehicle shipping needs. Whether you’re scheduling a pickup, tracking your car in transit, or finalizing delivery, our experts are here every single day to make the process effortless. At Niki Auto Transport, we’re committed to providing reliable service, clear communication, and peace of mind—no matter when or where you need us.

Trusted Partners and Clients:

Frequently asked questions

Can I put personal items in the car?

You can put personal items up to 100 lbs. in a box or single piece of luggage that will be in the trunk of the car during transport.

You can put personal items up to 100 lbs. in a box or single piece of luggage that will be in the trunk of the car during transport.
You can put personal items up to 100 lbs. in a box or single piece of luggage that will be in the trunk of the car during transport.
You can put personal items up to 100 lbs. in a box or single piece of luggage that will be in the trunk of the car during transport.
You can put personal items up to 100 lbs. in a box or single piece of luggage that will be in the trunk of the car during transport.
You can put personal items up to 100 lbs. in a box or single piece of luggage that will be in the trunk of the car during transport.
How much does it cost to ship a car?

When determining your car shipping cost, there are a few factors that we take into account in order to provide you with an accurate price quote. The mileage between the origin and destination is the biggest factor that contributes to your total rate. In addition to the distance of your relocation, another factor is the type and condition of the vehicle being shipped. The final factor is the date that your vehicle will be ready for transport. There are also additional options, such as enclosed carrier and top-load service that can be added to your shipment at the time of booking for a higher level of service. Read more about how much it costs to ship a car.

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator or you can call (888) 477-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. To calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

The transit time for your shipment is based mostly on the mileage between the pickup and delivery location. Generally, every five hundred miles will add one day to the transit time – so for a 1,000 mile transport, the transit time would be 2-3 days. Check out our estimated transit times for a detailed view of approximate delivery times.

We accept all major credit cards, electronic transfer, postal money order, and bank/certified check for the deposit or full pre-payment of your shipment. If a balance is due upon delivery, it can be paid directly to the driver and can be paid in either cash, bank/certified check, or postal money order.

Yes, there must be someone present to release and accept the vehicle, provide keys to the driver and sign the initial and final inspection reports. This person can be anyone over the age of 18 that you trust with releasing or accepting your vehicle.

The further in advance you schedule your shipment, the more likely we will be able to meet the time requirements you desire. For best results, we suggest scheduling your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Expedited shipping options are available to accomodate shipments that require . You can always give us a call and ask one of our car shipping experts what your options are in terms of the schedule for your car transport.

Where will my car be picked up and delivered?
The driver will get the car transporter as close to your door as he can legally and safely get. In most cases, the driver will be able to pickup and deliver directly to your door. Some cities may have restrictions on large trucks that prohibit them from driving into residential areas. Auto transport trucks are large and need lots of room to maneuver and turn around, so if access to the pickup or delivery location is restricted by narrow streets, low-hanging trees or tight turns, the driver may ask that you meet at a location nearby with a large parking lot, such as a grocery store.

Open transport is the most common car shipping method. There are two types of open-air transporters. The Majority of shipments are be made with 8-10 car carriers. Smaller carriers which hold 2-3 cars are used for shorter, local car moving. There is a broader network of carrier availability for open-air carriers since they are used more often. We suggest choosing enclosed car shipping methods when shipping classic, luxury or exotic vehicles. Enclosed vehicle transportation guarantees maximum protection from exposure to any open-air elements on the road. We suggest booking your enclosed transport in advance since carrier availability is limited. Read more about the difference between open and enclosed transport

all types of vehicles including sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, oversized vehicles, antiques, classic cars, motorcycles, construction vehicles, inoperable cars and boats. If you are not sure whether or not we can ship your vehicle, you can give us a call to find out what we can do for you.

You should have about a quarter of a tank of gas in your car at the time of shipment. This leaves enough for the car to be loaded and unloaded but doesn’t add much additional weight.

Make sure your car has been completely cleaned, both inside and outside. This is particularly important because this will help the driver conduct their inspection in order to assess any pre-existing damage on your vehicle. You will also want to make there are no additional personal items in the vehicle unless you intend to ship those with the vehicle (remember those items must total less than 100 pounds combined and be kept below the window-line of the vehicle). Be sure to inform the driver of any special circumstances concerning the vehicle. Finally, make sure there is a quarter tank of gas in the car at the time it is picked up for shipment. Visit our car shipping checklist to make sure you are prepared for your vehicle shipment.

Yes, we can ship vehicles that are in non-running/inoperable condition. When inoperable cars are shipped, a special auto carrier is required that makes use of a winch which is connected to your car and slowly and safely pulls your vehicle onto the carrier. There is an additional fee for inoperable vehicles because of the special equipment and extra work involved with securing the vehicle onto the transporter. You can select the inoperable option on the online booking form or inform your shipping agent if you make your reservation by phone so that the proper arrangements can be made to accommodate a non-running vehicle.

Ready to get a car shipping quote with NIKI?