Plenty of shipments happen without the owner standing at the curb: you are flying ahead, the car is a gift for a family member, or work keeps you away on both pickup and delivery day. A car carrier can still do its job, but someone has to handle the handoffs. Here is how to set that up, using what our FAQ and terms say about representatives and keys.
Quick Answer: Can Someone Else Handle Pickup and Delivery?
Yes. Our FAQ recommends having someone present at pickup and delivery to inspect the vehicle, and says that if you are unable to be there you can authorize a representative to handle the process or leave the keys somewhere only the driver will know. Our terms say customers should designate a person to act as their agent at pickup or delivery if they cannot be present. Freedom Auto Transport is a registered and bonded property broker, so we arrange the shipment with a licensed, insured carrier from our vetted network.
Your Options
| Option | How It Works | What to Weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Designated representative | A person you name is present, inspects the car with the driver, and signs the paperwork | They need your instructions and a working phone number |
| Family member or recipient | The person receiving the car acts as your agent at delivery | They sign on your behalf; settle ownership and insurance between you |
| Leave the keys for the driver | Keys are left somewhere only the driver will know, as our FAQ describes | No one inspects with the driver; you rely on your own photos and the report; security is on you |
Our FAQ calls having someone present the preferred route. Leaving keys is an option, not a recommendation, because nobody walks around the car with the driver.
Can’t be there for pickup or delivery? Get an estimate or call 888-509-1102 and tell us what you’re shipping.
What a Representative Should Do
- Be reachable. The driver calls the pickup and delivery contacts to set appointments, with a window generally of 2 to 4 hours according to our FAQ, so the representative’s phone number is the one that matters.
- Inspect the car with the driver. They walk around it, compare it with the report, and write any damage on the bill of lading before signing.
- Take dated photos on both ends.
- Hand over or receive the keys.
- Keep copies of the paperwork and send them to you.
Our terms say damage must be noted on the carrier’s bill of lading and that signing without notation confirms the vehicle was received in satisfactory condition, so a representative who skips the inspection can cost you. See our guides to the bill of lading and pickup and delivery.
Shipping a Car to a Family Member
If the car is going to someone else, keep two roles distinct. The person who books the shipment is the customer under our terms. The person receiving it is the delivery contact, and can act as your agent at delivery if you designate them. Give the recipient the carrier’s contact information once it is emailed to you after assignment, tell them the estimated window, and make sure they know to inspect before signing. If the car is a gift or a change of ownership, settle between yourselves who owns it and who insures it during transit. We can’t advise on ownership or title, and our terms require customers to carry their own full-coverage insurance during transit. See car shipping insurance.
What to Give the Shipping Company
- The name and phone number of each person at pickup and at delivery.
- Instructions about keys and any alarm. Our terms ask customers to disarm alarms or provide instructions.
- The address, and any access limits such as a gate or narrow street. Our terms say a mutually agreeable meeting place may be needed.
- Whether the car runs, since a non-running vehicle is loaded differently.
When You’re Traveling Separately From the Car
If you are flying ahead, plan for the car to arrive after you. The pickup window is typically 1–3 business days from your first available ship date, and delivery dates are estimates. Arrange a rental or ride for the gap, and check the transit time guide. Our page for movers and families covers relocation shipping more broadly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Have to Be Present at Pickup?
Our FAQ recommends having someone present, but says you can authorize a representative.
Is It Safe to Leave the Keys for the Driver?
Our FAQ lists it as an option. The tradeoff is that nobody inspects the car with the driver. Ask us about your situation before choosing it.
Can My Family Member Sign for the Car?
If you designate them as your agent, yes. Tell the shipping company in advance.
Ready to Ship?
Give us the names and phone numbers for each handoff, and we will plan around them. Freedom Auto Transport is a registered and bonded property broker (MC#720433), and we arrange your shipment with a licensed, insured carrier from our vetted network. You don’t pay for transport until a carrier is assigned. Get an estimate or call 888-509-1102.