Pickup & Delivery

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 vehicle’s VIN
   • Government-issued photo ID
   • The MVS Canada order number, 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 it up is not authorized.

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.