---
title: "Pickup and Delivery"
id: "21231"
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slug: "pickup-and-delivery"
published_at: "2026-05-12T14:36:04+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-06-03T11:48:12+00:00"
url: "https://www.mvscanada.ca/pickup-and-delivery/"
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# Pickup & Delivery

[Help & FAQs](https://www.mvscanada.ca/help-and-faqs/)
 »  Pickup & Delivery▾  [Quotes, Pricing & Payments](https://www.mvscanada.ca/quotes-pricing-and-payments)
 [Booking & Order Changes](https://www.mvscanada.ca/booking-and-order-changes)
 [Pickup & Delivery](https://www.mvscanada.ca/pickup-and-delivery)
 [Vehicle Photos Documentation](https://www.mvscanada.ca/take-photos-of-your-vehicle)
 [Transit Times & Tracking](https://www.mvscanada.ca/transit-times-and-tracking)
 [Terminals & Rail Shipping](https://www.mvscanada.ca/terminals-and-rail-shipping)
 [Open vs Enclosed Transport](https://www.mvscanada.ca/open-vs-enclosed-transport)
 [Insurance Coverage & Damage Claims](https://www.mvscanada.ca/insurance-coverage-and-damage-claims)
 [Policies, Terms & Restrictions](https://www.mvscanada.ca/policies-terms-and-restrictions)

### What to Expect at Pickup & Delivery

Every shipment comes with several ways to hand off and receive your vehicle — at a terminal, at your door, by meeting the truck, or at a dealership or commercial location. Whichever you choose, the goal is the same: a clean handoff with the vehicle properly inspected and documented at both ends.

### Four Ways to Hand Off Your Vehicle

Choose the option that fits your location and budget — and you can combine them, such as terminal drop-off at origin and door delivery at destination:

- **Terminal** — the cheapest and most common option; drop off and pick up at our terminals in most major cities.
- **Residence / Door** — more convenient but costs more, since it adds local pickup or delivery by a driving service.
- **Meet the Truck** — for smaller towns without a terminal, you meet the truck at a truck stop or other large, accessible spot.
- **Commercial / Dealership** — pickup or drop-off at a dealership or commercial location, often used when buying from a dealer.

On select routes and accessible pickup/delivery locations, an affiliated car-hauling truck may be available. Where the main transport truck cannot safely or legally access the address, we may still use a flatbed tow truck, driving service, terminal handoff, or another approved local option.

#### Be Present for the Handoff

You or an authorized agent should be there at both ends to provide or receive keys, inspect the vehicle, and sign the condition report.

#### Photograph Everything

Take at least 24 high-resolution photos while the vehicle is still in your possession — they are your main record of its condition at origin.

#### Inspect Before You Sign

Compare the vehicle to your origin photos and note any damage on the paperwork before signing. Once signed, a claim becomes very difficult.

### Your Pickup & Delivery Options

Every shipment comes with several ways to hand off and receive your vehicle. You can drop off at a terminal, have it picked up from your residence, meet the truck in a smaller town, or use a dealership or commercial location. Each option works with different modes of transport — here is how they compare.

### Terminal

The cheapest and most common option. We have terminals located in most major cities across the country. Upon dropping off your vehicle at the terminal, it will be placed in a queue to be shipped.

Terminals are central hubs in most major cities where trucks have easy access to and will use them when picking up or delivering large loads of vehicles.

When dropping off your vehicle, it will be placed in queue to be shipped with other vehicles. It can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks before vehicles depart, depending on how much freight is travelling between that terminal and the next destination.

Once your vehicle arrives at the terminal, we will let you know it’s ready for pickup. If you can’t pick up your vehicle for a few days there are no extra storage fees, but if you need longer term storage for your vehicle additional fees may apply.

More Details

**Available for:**  
Enclosed TrainOpen TruckEnclosed TruckTow TruckDriving Service

### Residence/Door

We will pick up your vehicle and deliver it directly to your residence. Both trucking or driving service methods may be used. Your vehicle will then be transported to the shipping terminal to wait for the next departure on the main transport truck. Additional fees will apply.

Available in most major cities when shipping by open transport and in some smaller towns when shipping via an enclosed truck, residential pick up and delivery saves you the hassle of having to deliver or pick up your vehicle to/from a terminal nearby.

A driving service or tow truck may be used for residential pick up or delivery when shipping via open transport as transport trucks are not able to enter residential areas due to size/weight restrictions.

Door pickups or deliveries may not be available in some smaller cities or towns.

More Details

**Available for:**  
Enclosed TrainOpen TruckEnclosed TruckTow TruckDriving Service

### Meet The Truck

For smaller cities and towns where we do not have terminals, you may need to meet the truck at a truck stop or car dealership; somewhere with enough space for a large 18-wheeler truck to safely park and load or unload a few vehicles.

Usually, the truck driver will contact you in advance and arrange a meeting time and location.

This mode of pick up/delivery does require flexibility as the driver only has a certain amount of time each day that they can be driving and they have other pick ups and deliveries to make. If your schedule is not flexible, it’s best to arrange with a dealership nearby to hold or receive your vehicle for you. If you do this, please provide us with contact details of the person at the dealership who is handling your vehicle.

More Details

**Available for:**  
Enclosed TrainOpen TruckEnclosed TruckTow TruckDriving Service

### Commercial/Dealership

We can pickup or drop-off your vehicle at a dealership or commercial location. Used for delivering between dealerships or when purchasing a vehicle from a dealership. Additional charges may apply.

In many scenarios, commercial locations are car dealerships in a town nearest to your origin or destination, sometimes tow company yards can also be used.

Commercial locations are used for meeting transport trucks when a terminal is not available at the origin/destination city or town—open transport trucks can only pick up or deliver vehicles to/from commercial locations in towns where terminals are not present due to size and/or weight restrictions.

When using this method of pick up or delivery, you may have to ask your dealership for permission as some dealerships do not want to take responsibility for holding your vehicle until the truck arrives.

If you are having your vehicle picked up at a commercial location, please provide us with the date that your vehicle is ready to be picked up and we will get it on the next available truck in the area.

If you are having your vehicle delivered to a commercial location, please provide us with a contact name and number of the person who will be accepting your vehicle.

More Details

**Available for:**  
Enclosed TrainOpen TruckEnclosed TruckTow TruckDriving Service

## Pickup and Delivery

[b What’s The Difference Between Terminal-To-Terminal And Door-To-Door Service?](#)

**Terminal-to-terminal** and **door-to-door** are the two main service options for vehicle pickup and delivery.

**Terminal-to-terminal** is usually the most economical option. You drop your vehicle off at one of our terminals or approved drop-off locations in the origin city, and pick it up from a terminal or approved pickup location in the destination city. In larger cities, terminals are often rail yards, transport yards, or commercial lots. In smaller cities or areas without a main terminal, the location may be a truck stop, dealership, towing yard, or another accessible commercial location.

**Door-to-door** means we arrange pickup and/or delivery at a residence, business, dealership, or another address you provide. This is more convenient, but it usually costs more because it requires additional local pickup or delivery service.

A **true door-to-door delivery is most practical between dealerships or commercial locations**, since large car-hauling trucks can usually access dealerships and commercial areas more safely. For **residential addresses**, a true driveway-to-driveway service can usually only be completed by a **flatbed tow truck** or a **professional driving service** handling the first or final mile between the residence and the nearest terminal or carrier-accessible location.

Large transport trucks often cannot legally or safely enter residential streets because of their size, turning radius, weight, overhead clearance, parking restrictions, low wires, trees, narrow roads, or local bylaws. If the address is not accessible, the vehicle may need to be picked up or delivered at a nearby commercial lot, wide street, truck stop, or other safe meeting point.

Some carriers use “door-to-door” to mean pickup or delivery at the **closest accessible location** for the transport truck. This can result in customers being asked by the driver to meet at a parking lot or truck stop. If MVS Canada requires you to meet the main transport truck for pickup or delivery, we will indicate that on your quote or confirm it with you before booking.

You can also combine service types. For example, you may choose terminal drop-off at origin and door delivery at destination, or door pickup at origin and terminal pickup at destination. Your shipping representative can help you choose the best option based on your route, budget, timing, and access requirements.

[b How Does Terminal Drop-Off And Pickup Work?](#)

Once your order is confirmed, your shipping representative will send the terminal address, hours of operation, and drop-off or pickup instructions. Please follow those instructions carefully and only drop off after your order has been confirmed.

**At terminal drop-off:**

- Bring one working key or fob, plus any special start, alarm, immobilizer, or access instructions.
- Make sure the vehicle is clean, accessible, and ready for transport.
- Take at least **24 high-resolution photos** at the time of drop-off, while the vehicle is still in your possession.
- Include clear photos of all sides, bumpers, roof, hood, trunk, wheels, tires, existing damage, and at least one photo showing the terminal or origin location in the background where possible.
- Upload or send your photos according to the instructions provided by MVS Canada.

At some terminals, especially rail terminals, security or gate staff may check in the vehicle but are **not authorized to complete a condition report**. In these cases, your photos are the main record of the vehicle’s condition at origin. If a condition report cannot be completed at drop-off, or if you drop off after hours where permitted, you must document the vehicle yourself with high-quality photos. Failure to complete a condition report or provide proper photos may affect or prevent a future damage claim.

If you do not want to complete the drop-off inspection and photo documentation yourself, ask your shipping representative about arranging door pickup by flatbed tow truck. In that case, the tow operator can complete the condition report, take photos, and deliver the vehicle to the rail terminal.

**At terminal pickup:**

You or your authorized agent should bring:

- The vehicle’s **VIN**
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- The order details, if available

The name on the ID should match the release person provided to MVS Canada. Terminals may refuse to release the vehicle if the person picking up is not authorized or cannot provide proper identification.

Before leaving the terminal, inspect the vehicle carefully. If you notice any possible transit damage:

1. **Report it immediately to the person at the pickup terminal.**
2. **Do not move the vehicle** until the damage has been reviewed and documented by terminal staff.
3. Make sure the damage is noted on the Bill of Lading, release form, or condition report before signing.
4. Take clear photos of the damage before the vehicle is moved.
5. Report the damage to **MVS Canada right away** and submit photos as soon as possible.

Once the vehicle is signed for and removed from the terminal, it may be much harder to verify a claim. Signing the release without noting damage may confirm that the vehicle was received in satisfactory condition.

> **Important:** Terminals provide temporary storage but do not offer guaranteed insurance coverage while your vehicle is on their premises. We recommend keeping your own auto insurance active for the entire shipment, including any time your vehicle waits at a terminal.

[b How Does Door Pickup And Delivery Work?](#)

For door service, we coordinate a pickup or delivery window directly with you. Please give us at least **3–5 days’ notice** for door pickup so we can arrange the right type of service for your location.

Door pickup or delivery may be handled in one of three ways:

- **Flatbed tow truck or smaller transport truck** — commonly used for residential pickup or delivery, especially when the main transport truck cannot safely or legally access the address.
- **Driving service** — a professional driver drives your vehicle to or from the nearest terminal or staging yard. This is often more economical than sending a truck and may be available in select cities, including Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton. Your vehicle must be safe, legal, and roadworthy to drive, and you should leave enough fuel for the trip.
- **Large transport truck** — usually only possible at dealerships, commercial locations, rural properties, or wide-access areas where the truck can safely load and unload.

For residential addresses, true door-to-door service is usually completed by **flatbed tow truck or driving service** for the first or final mile. Large car-hauling trucks are often too large for residential streets because of turning radius, road restrictions, low trees, overhead wires, parked cars, or limited loading space.

After residential pickup, your vehicle is usually taken to a terminal or staging yard, then loaded onto a rail car or long-haul transport truck for the main part of the journey. For residential delivery, the reverse usually applies: the vehicle arrives at a terminal or staging yard, then is delivered by flatbed, driving service, or another approved local method.

At pickup or delivery, you or your authorized agent must be available by phone, provide or receive the keys, inspect the vehicle, and complete the required handoff paperwork. Drivers normally coordinate timing by phone, so please answer calls and return voicemails promptly during the pickup or delivery window.

Door service is not available at every address. If the address is not accessible, we may need to arrange a nearby safe meeting location, such as a commercial lot, dealership, truck-accessible road, or terminal. If we require you to meet the main transport truck instead of providing true residential pickup or delivery, we will indicate that on your quote or confirm it with you before booking.

[b Does Someone Need To Be Present At Pickup Or Delivery?](#)

Yes. Someone should be present at both pickup and delivery to complete the vehicle handoff properly.

At pickup, you or your authorized agent must be available to:

- Inspect the vehicle and complete the condition report, where applicable
- Take the required origin photos
- Provide the key or fob
- Provide any special start, alarm, immobilizer, or access instructions
- Confirm the vehicle is ready and accessible for transport

At delivery, you or your authorized agent must be available to:

- Inspect the vehicle before it is moved from the delivery location
- Note any possible damage on the Bill of Lading, release form, or condition report before signing
- Receive the key or fob
- Sign for and accept delivery

The person present can be you or someone you authorize in advance. Please provide their name and phone number to MVS Canada before pickup or delivery.

In some cases, a vehicle may be delivered without someone present to receive it, but this must be arranged in advance and is done entirely at your own risk. If no one is present to inspect the vehicle and sign for delivery, any damage claim will be void.

[b Can Someone Else Drop Off Or Pick Up My Vehicle For Me?](#)

Yes. You can authorize another person to act on your behalf at pickup, drop-off, or delivery. This can be a friend, family member, dealership contact, coworker, or another trusted person.

To authorize someone, please provide their **first and last name and phone number** when booking, or contact MVS Canada before the scheduled pickup or release. Terminals, carriers, and drivers may refuse to release the vehicle to someone who has not been authorized in advance.

Your authorized agent should bring:

- Government-issued photo ID matching the name provided to MVS Canada
- The vehicle’s VIN
- The vehicle year, make, and model
- The MVS Canada booking or order number, if available
- Any keys, fobs, codes, or special instructions needed to operate the vehicle, if they are dropping it off or releasing it

Your designated agent has authority to release the vehicle, hand over or receive the keys, inspect the vehicle, approve applicable charges, accept delivery, and sign the Bill of Lading or condition report on your behalf.

Please choose someone you trust. At delivery or terminal pickup, your agent must inspect the vehicle carefully **before signing and before moving the vehicle**. If there is any possible transit damage, they should report it immediately to the terminal staff or driver, make sure it is documented on the paperwork, take photos, and contact MVS Canada right away.

Once your authorized agent signs for and accepts the vehicle, the vehicle is considered received on your behalf.

[b What If The Truck Can’t Access My Pickup Or Delivery Address?](#)

Large car-hauling trucks can only pick up or deliver where they can legally and safely operate. A true door pickup or delivery is usually easiest at dealerships, commercial properties, transport yards, or wide-access rural locations. Residential streets are often not suitable for large transport trucks because of size, turning radius, parking rules, road restrictions, and overhead clearance.

Common access issues include:

- Low-hanging trees, wires, signs, or overhangs
- Narrow streets, tight turns, cul-de-sacs, or steep driveways
- Residential areas with truck restrictions or no safe loading space
- Weight limits, road bans, or vehicle-class restrictions
- Parked cars or limited room to load and unload
- Gated communities, condos, apartments, or commercial properties with restricted hours
- Snow, ice, construction, or blocked access

If the main transport truck cannot reach your address, we may arrange one of the following:

- A nearby safe meeting point, such as a large parking lot, dealership, truck stop, or commercial area
- A flatbed tow truck for the first or final mile
- A professional driving service to move the vehicle between your address and the nearest terminal or staging location, where available
- Terminal drop-off or terminal pickup instead of door service

If we require you to meet the main transport truck at a nearby location, we will indicate that on your quote or confirm it with you before booking. We do not want customers surprised by a driver calling at the last minute and asking them to meet at an unplanned truck stop or parking lot.

Please tell us about any access concerns when booking. If access issues are discovered only after a truck has been dispatched, your shipment may be delayed and additional charges, such as a dry run, re-pickup, tow, driving service, or redelivery fee, may apply.

[b What Happens At Delivery? What’s The Inspection Process?](#)

When your vehicle arrives at the destination, the delivery or pickup process depends on the service you booked.

1. **You’ll be notified when the vehicle is ready** For terminal pickup, MVS Canada will send confirmation that your vehicle is ready for release, along with the pickup address, hours, and instructions. Please note: even if tracking shows your vehicle has arrived in the destination city, it may **not** be ready for pickup yet. It still needs to be unloaded, processed, inspected, and released by the terminal. For door delivery, the carrier, driver, flatbed operator, or delivery agent will coordinate the delivery time with you directly, usually by phone.
2. **Bring the required pickup information** If you are picking up from a terminal, you or your authorized agent should bring: The name on the ID should match the release person provided to MVS Canada. Terminals may refuse to release the vehicle if the person picking it up is not authorized.
  - The vehicle’s VIN
  - Government-issued photo ID
  - The MVS Canada order number, if available

3. **Inspect the vehicle before moving it** Before signing anything or moving the vehicle, inspect it carefully. Walk around the vehicle and compare its condition to your origin photos. Check all sides, bumpers, hood, roof, trunk, glass, wheels, tires, and any areas where pre-existing damage was noted.
4. **Report and document any damage immediately** If you notice possible transit damage, do **not** move the vehicle. Report it immediately to the person at the pickup terminal, driver, or delivery agent and make sure the damage is reviewed and documented before you sign. Any new damage must be written on the Bill of Lading, release form, or condition report before you accept the vehicle. Take clear photos of the damage before the vehicle is moved, then contact MVS Canada right away.
5. **Sign only after the inspection is complete** Once you sign the Bill of Lading, release form, or condition report without noting damage, the vehicle is considered received in satisfactory condition. This can make a future damage claim very difficult or impossible.

If damage is discovered after the vehicle has been signed for or moved from the delivery location, the claim may be denied. This is why the final inspection must happen while the vehicle is still at the terminal, with the driver, or in the carrier’s possession.

In some cases, a vehicle may be delivered without someone present, but this must be arranged in advance and is done entirely at your own risk. If no one is present to inspect and sign for the vehicle, any damage claim will be void.

> **Critical:** Once you sign the Bill of Lading without noting damage, you have legally accepted the vehicle in satisfactory condition and released MVS Canada and the carrier from any further responsibility for damage. Take the time to inspect carefully — once you sign, future damage claims become very difficult or impossible.

## Request Your Free Quote Now!

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[Request Your Free Quote](https://www.mvscanada.ca/request-a-quote/)

I will remember my dealings with MVS as a standard-setting, high-end, very reasonably-priced and stress-free service. Those will be the words I will be using when recommending MVS.#### Rick B