How to Ship Your Vehicle During the COVID-19 Pandemic

1. Before you Drop Off
2. During Your Drop Off
3. Picking Up Your Vehicle
4. Your Vehicle…Your Bubble
5. A-1 Auto Transport – Safe & Reliable Vehicle Shipping

Doing business in 2020 can be challenging. Many businesses are closed or closing, and travel restrictions and public health guidance are constantly in flux. You may think that shipping your vehicle would be too complicated. 

Shutdown and shelter-at-home orders impact a lot of daily life, but these restrictions do not impact shipping. Fortunately, the Department of Homeland Security has declared transportation to be an essential business. That means you can continue to transport vehicles as before. 

Shipping cars is not just for businesses. There are many reasons why you may want to ship a car right now. Travel restrictions left many people stranded. Some have relatives who need a safe alternative to mass transit. During the COVID-19 pandemic, vehicles offer safety, mobility, independence, and freedom. 

Before you ship, here are some safety protocols you should follow to keep yourself and your family safe. 

Before you Drop Off

You may notice that the requirements for preparing your vehicle for transport largely haven’t changed. You will want to thoroughly clean your vehicle, removing all personal possessions. It is a good practice to sanitize the vehicle using a disinfectant cleaner, paying attention to anything your hands touch. Mirrors, door handles, seat belts, dashboard…pretend you are trying to remove your fingerprints from a crime scene and clean it all. 

During Your Drop Off

Dropping off your vehicle will require some additional personal safety precautions. Since these interactions normally happen face-to-face, you should follow current CDC guidelines. The CDC recommends wearing a face covering when you interact with others in public and keep a safe distance of six feet between you throughout the transaction. 

Your face covering does not have to be an N95 mask. The truth is, covering your face will reduce the risk of transmission or infection, whether it is a full N95 mask or a bandana. It’s a simple step to take that makes a big difference. 

Use caution when handling any paperwork. Wear disposable gloves if you can. Be sure to maintain distance as you are handing off cash or paperwork, bring your own pen for signing, and keep your hands away from your face until you can properly wash them for the recommended twenty seconds. 

Picking Up Your Vehicle

Picking up your vehicle is going to require the same safety precautions. You should wear a face covering throughout the interaction, keep at least six feet of distance between you and others, and wear disposable gloves. Bring your own pen for signing paperwork and stay vigilant about touching your face without washing your hands thoroughly. 

Treat each vehicle as though it is a potential infection risk. Use disinfectants (wipes are easy) to clean every surface which may have been touched by someone else’s hands. Door handles, stick shifts, steering wheel….clean it all before you touch it yourself. A quick wipe down should make it safe to drive, but you want to do a more thorough clean when you get it home. 

Your Vehicle…Your Bubble

Your vehicle is a lifeline during uncertain times. When you are inside your vehicle, you are safely separated from others. You can take a scenic drive or pick up supplies without leaving the safety of your bubble. 

Many Americans have been trying to stay at home for the last few months. Directed to shelter at home to try to stop the spread of COVID-19, we are all beyond ready to get out of the house. Your vehicle gives you a way to stretch your legs and combat cabin fever safely.  

Taking your family for a drive is a safe activity that gives everybody a change of scenery. It is a good time to become acquainted with your local area. Why not a day trip? You could, but many public restroom options are not currently open. Keep that in mind as you plan your outing. 

No matter how you choose to use it, your vehicle is an essential tool that gives you freedom and independence as you navigate uncertain times. If you need to ship your vehicle to you from home or get a vehicle to a loved one who needs it, give us a call. 

A-1 Auto Transport – Safe & Reliable Vehicle Shipping

A-1 Auto Transport is here to help you get your vehicle where it needs to go. Need to ship your vehicle? It’s easier than you think. Call us today for a free auto transport quote.