--- title: Shipping a Car When You Move to or From Reno url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/shipping-a-car-when-you-move/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Shipping a car when you move # Shipping a car when you move A car shipped with a household move goes on the written estimate, its condition is documented at pickup, and it is registered in Nevada within 30 days of becoming a resident. It rides on a separate auto carrier, so its pickup and delivery windows come from your written estimate, not from the furniture truck. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ## How to ship a car with a household move - Add the car to the estimate Give the estimator the year, make, model and condition of every vehicle. - Prepare the car Wash it, remove personal items, leave about a quarter tank of fuel and note the mileage. - Photograph the car Take dated photos of every side, the roof and the interior. - Sign the pickup report Walk around with the driver, mark existing damage and keep a copy. - Inspect at delivery Compare the car with the pickup report before you sign, and note new damage on the paper. - Register in Nevada Register the car with the Nevada DMV within 30 days of becoming a resident. People ship a car when the drive is long, the roads are icy, or two drivers cannot both be in the family vehicles on moving day. Auto transport is offered by O'Brien's as part of a move, and the same paperwork habits apply to every car carrier. This guide covers the preparation, the condition report, and the Nevada steps that follow the delivery. ## Ask for the car on the estimate Tell the estimator about every vehicle at the beginning, with the year, make, model and whether the car runs. A car that does not run, a lifted truck or a low sports car needs different equipment, so the details change the plan. Auto transport that travels with your move is described on [auto transport with your move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/auto-transport/). Get the car on the written estimate along with your household goods. Federal rules for interstate household goods moves in 49 CFR Part 375 require that services be described in writing, and the estimate is where the car, the pickup address and the delivery window appear. ## Prepare the car - Wash the car so scratches and dents are easy to see on the report. - Remove personal items and anything loose. Carriers set their own rules about what can stay in the vehicle, so ask before you pack the trunk. - Leave about a quarter tank of fuel unless your carrier says otherwise. - Turn off alarms or tell the driver how to disable them, and hand over every key. - Note the mileage and take dated photos from all sides, the roof and the interior. ## The condition report is the key paper At pickup the driver walks around the car and marks existing damage on a condition report. You sign it, and you keep a copy. At delivery you inspect the car against that same report before you sign. If something is new, note it on the paper right then, before the driver leaves. Photos from the day of pickup back up the report. The FMCSA publishes rights and responsibilities for people who move, and it explains how to file a claim and how to work with a carrier. ## What happens at delivery Your delivery window comes from your written estimate. Be available at the address, or name a person who can sign for the car. Walk around it in daylight when you can, start it, and check the odometer against your photos. ## Register the car in Nevada New Nevada residents have 30 days to register a vehicle with the Nevada DMV after they establish residency. Most vehicles in Washoe County also need an emissions test before registration. See [registering your car in Nevada](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/vehicle-registration/) and [Nevada smog checks in Washoe County](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/smog-check/) for the steps, and the Nevada DMV site for the current forms and fees. ## When shipping makes sense A car on a carrier is worth considering for a winter move over the Sierra, for a family with more cars than drivers, or when the car would not survive a long drive. For a short local move, driving the car is simpler. The in-home estimate is a good place to compare the options. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [eCFR, 49 CFR Part 375 (household goods moves)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) - [Nevada DMV](https://dmv.nv.gov/) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Auto transport with your move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/auto-transport/) - [Registering your car in Nevada](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/vehicle-registration/) - [Nevada smog checks in Washoe County](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/smog-check/) - [How an interstate move works with a Bekins agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/how-interstate-moves-work/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Moving a wine collection](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-wine/) - [Moving with plants (and state plant rules)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-plants/) - [Moving with cats](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-with-cats/) - [Moving with dogs](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-with-dogs/) - [Moving with fish](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-with-fish/) - [Moving with kids](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-with-kids/) - [Moving in winter in the Sierra](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-in-winter/) - [Moving to high altitude](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-high-altitude/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can I leave things in the car I am shipping? Ask your carrier. Many carriers limit what can stay inside, and items are not covered the way the car is. ### How long do I have to register a car in Nevada? New residents have 30 days from establishing residency. The Nevada DMV lists the current requirements. ### Does the car travel on the same truck as my furniture? No. It travels on an auto carrier, so the dates for the car and the household goods are listed separately. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) C Charles C. May 31, 2025 Great company, I'd highly recommend for any move!!! ### Owner's reply Charles, It was a pleasure working with you on your moves. We hope your trip is amazing and if you ever come back our way, we will be happy to help. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to complete this review on our behalf. N Nadine K. May 15, 2025 The guys were very friendly and hard working. Would definitely use them again! ### Owner's reply Nadine, We are pleased you chose us for your move, it was a pleasure working with you! We are extremely happy the move was a success. G Greg S. January 22, 2025 3 O'Brien movers came down from Reno to South Lake Tahoe to assist our company moving a lot of big furniture out of a large warehouse. They showed up on-time, were friendly, and were professional and got the job done quickly and diligently. Will definitely use them again. ### Owner's reply Thanks for the great review Greg! We really appreciate you taking the time to do that for us. We look forward to working with you again! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070