How to Become an Auto Transport Driver

To become an auto transport driver, first determine whether the truck-and-trailer combination requires a CDL, then complete the licensing and medical requirements that apply to that vehicle. First-time Class A applicants subject to ELDT must train through an FMCSA-listed provider before taking the required skills test. Car-hauling work also requires practical training in loading, vehicle inspection, and securement under the applicable cargo rules. If you drive for an established carrier, the company generally holds the motor-carrier registrations, while its car transportation services use qualified drivers and equipment.

A Class A CDL is required when the combination meets the federal Class A weight thresholds, not simply because someone is being paid to haul cars. FMCSA defines Class A as a combination with a gross combination rating or weight of at least 26,001 pounds when the towed unit exceeds 10,000 pounds. A combination below 26,001 pounds does not require a CDL solely because its trailer is rated above 10,000 pounds. Drivers operating CDL-required commercial vehicles are also generally subject to federal drug and alcohol testing rules.

As of September 23, 2026, a practical U.S. benchmark for employee car-hauler pay is roughly $55,000-$100,000 per year, with some specialized postings above that range. Current sources vary widely: ZipRecruiter reports about $55,900, Salary.com about $53,300, and Indeed about $99,500 for car-hauler roles. For broader context, BLS reports a May 2025 median of $58,640 for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Owner-operator gross revenue should not be treated as salary because operating expenses come out before take-home earnings.

A company driver generally does not obtain separate USDOT or MC numbers simply to drive a carrier's truck; those registrations belong to the operating motor-carrier business. An independent carrier operating qualifying vehicles in interstate commerce generally needs a USDOT number, and a for-hire interstate carrier transporting customers' regulated property may also need FMCSA operating authority. The exact registration depends on how the business operates. A1's guide to auto transport brokers explains the separate role brokers play in arranging transportation rather than physically hauling vehicles.

Car haulers need a truck-and-trailer setup rated for the load plus properly rated, serviceable securement devices suited to the vehicles being transported. FMCSA's cargo rules specifically cover automobiles, light trucks, and vans weighing 10,000 pounds or less and require cargo to be firmly secured against movement. Ramps, hydraulic decks, wheel straps, chains, or winches depend on the carrier design and vehicle being loaded. An ELD is required only when the driver is subject to the ELD rule and no exception applies. A1's open-trailer auto transport guide shows the common carrier format used for standard vehicles.

For a first-time applicant, the Class A CDL training portion commonly runs about 3 to 8 weeks, depending on whether the program is full-time, evening, or weekend. Current programs include three-week accelerated courses, four-week full-time courses, and schedules extending to six or eight weeks. State testing and employer-specific car-hauler training can add time after the course. FMCSA does not prescribe a minimum number of ELDT theory or behind-the-wheel hours, so there is no single federally mandated total time for becoming job-ready.