Preparing your vehicle properly before shipping from Florida to New Jersey helps prevent damage and makes the process smoother. Here's what you need to do:
Remove personal items and accessories. Take out anything loose inside your car—phones, chargers, valuables, and fragile items. Remove exterior accessories like roof racks, spoilers, or custom parts that could get damaged or fall off during transit.
Clear out toll passes and documents. Remove toll tags, parking permits, and any sensitive documents from your vehicle. This prevents accidental charges and protects your privacy.
Check your fuel level. Keep your gas tank at a quarter full. This is enough for the carrier to move your vehicle on and off the transport, but not so much that it adds unnecessary weight.
Document your vehicle's condition. Take photos and note any existing damage. This protects you and the carrier by creating a clear record of your car's condition before shipping.
Ensure the vehicle runs. Make sure your car starts and runs properly. Carriers need to be able to move your vehicle on and off the truck safely.
Have a key ready. Provide the carrier with an accessible key so they can move your vehicle as needed during loading and unloading.
For more details on the full shipping process, check out our How To Ship A Car guide. If you have specific questions about car shipping documents you'll need, we've got you covered there too.