How Vehicle Inspections and Bills of Lading Work
The Bill of Lading — the BOL — is the most important piece of paper in your entire vehicle shipment. Understanding it protects you.
What the BOL is
It’s the official record of your vehicle’s condition, signed at both pickup and delivery. It documents what the car looked like when the driver took it, and what it looked like when you got it back. If there’s ever a question about transit damage, the BOL is the answer.
What’s on it
- Vehicle information (year, make, model, VIN)
- Pickup condition, with noted damage and photos
- Delivery condition, with noted damage and photos
- Pickup and delivery signatures
- Names, dates, and timestamps
- Origin, destination, and order number
The inspection
At pickup, you and the driver walk around the vehicle together and mark any existing damage. This is why washing your car first matters — see the prep checklist — clean paint makes existing chips and scratches easy to record accurately.
At delivery, you do it again. Compare against the pickup record. If there’s new damage, note it on the delivery BOL before you sign. Once you sign, you’re confirming the condition.
Why you should never skip the walkaround
A rushed delivery where you sign without looking is how disputes start. Take the two minutes. Photograph the car yourself at both ends. The BOL plus your own photos is airtight documentation.
Insurance and the BOL
Cargo coverage is carried by the assigned carrier. A clear, honest BOL is what makes any claim straightforward. Coverage applies to the vehicle, not personal items inside it.
Questions about your shipment? Contact us or get a quote →