How To Transport An Unregistered Car – Can I Drive My Car To Its Destination?

Q: How much does it cost to transport an unregistered car?

Shipping an unregistered car typically costs $500–$1,200 for 500–1,500 miles, which is similar to transporting a registered vehicle. The final price depends on distance, vehicle size, operability, carrier type, and seasonal demand. Non-running cars may add $100–$250 because carriers need winches or special loading equipment. Pricing also changes based on fuel costs, route demand, and how quickly the vehicle needs to be moved.

Q: Can you transport a non-running or project car that is not registered?

Yes, auto transport companies frequently ship non-running, salvage, or project cars that are not registered. The vehicle typically needs to roll, steer, and brake so the carrier can load and secure it safely. If the car cannot move at all, carriers may use forklifts or special equipment. In cases where a vehicle cannot be started or driven onto a trailer, services like interstate car towing are often used to move restoration projects or auction vehicles between states.

by Joe Webster

Last updated Mar, 05 2026

How To Transport An Unregistered Car – Can I Drive My Car To Its Destination?

If you have purchased a car and it’s not registered, or you’re carrying and need to move a vehicle that has not been used for a while and has an expired registration, you may be wondering what your options are for hauling it. Is it possible to drive an unregistered car to deliver it? Is driving the vehicle yourself a good idea? Find out now.

Can I Drive An Unregistered Car To Transport It?

This depends on your state. Some states allow you to get temporary permits and registration to operate your car until your vehicle can be properly registered. In Arizona, for example, you can get a 3-day license to drive a vehicle that hasn’t been registered after a private sale. However, some states do not have systems in place to allow this.

As long as your state allows you to drive a car without complete registration with a special permit, you can take advantage of this and use it within the state. If you buy a car from someone located in another city in your state, for example, you can fly to the location of the vehicle, get the permit you need, and drive it to your home city.

However, this makes less sense if your vehicle must be hauled across state lines. You may run into difficulties with police if you’re pulled over, and you may not be able to get temporary registration if you’re picking up a car in a state that you don’t live in.

For this reason, we don’t recommend driving an unregistered car to convey it unless it’s a short journey, you’re staying within your home state, and you can quickly get the proper permits required to do so.

several semi trucks lined up in a parking lot

What’s The Best Way To Deliver?

Instead of driving the car yourself, you should hire a car transportation company to pick it up and deliver it to you. Cars do not need to be registered, licensed, or insured to be moved by a car shipping company – they’re treated like any other cargo. This is the best way to Conveyance an unregistered car.

Once you receive your vehicle, you can take its information to the local BMV/DMV or other agency responsible for vehicle registration in your area. As long as you have the required paperwork, it will be simple to register it, and you can start driving it right away.

Not only is sending an unregistered car with a car hauling firm simpler, but it’s also much more convenient since you will not have to drive the car yourself. This is particularly advantageous if you’re buying a car in a state far away from your own.

Why Do I Need to Dispatch?

There are a few reasons. The most common is that you’ve bought a car from a private seller in a different state and need to get it to your home state to register it with your motor vehicle registration agency. Or, you may have sold a car, and you might be shifting it to the buyer as part of your sales agreement.

In some cases, you may even have one or more vehicles that are not appropriately registered. For example, if you collect and work on cars, you may need to have them shipped to a new home or garage if you move between states. Even if these cars are operable, they should not be driven if they are not properly registered, or cannot meet inspection requirements in the state to which you’re moving.

a semi truck travels along a highway at dusk

Let Us Help You Move Your Vehicle – Contact Us

Relocating and moving a car without registration is quick, simple, and easy with us and our vast network of Carrying partners. We can help you move almost any vehicle, including those without registration. Contact us online or call us now at (888) 230-9116 to get a quote for Sending your vehicle anywhere in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you ship an unregistered car?

Yes, you can ship an unregistered car because auto transport carriers move vehicles as cargo rather than road-driven vehicles. Registration is usually not required for loading onto a carrier, especially if the vehicle is recently purchased, in storage, or awaiting registration. However, the vehicle must have clear ownership documents such as a title or bill of sale. Many buyers use professional car transportation services to move auction vehicles or newly purchased cars that cannot legally be driven yet.

How do you transport an unregistered car safely?

The safest way to transport an unregistered car is with a licensed auto transport carrier that uses loading ramps, hydraulic lift gates, or winches. Carriers secure vehicles using wheel straps and soft tie-downs so the car remains stable during transit. If the vehicle does not run, a winch allows it to be loaded without driving it. Transport companies operating under FMCSA regulations routinely handle vehicles that cannot legally be driven on public roads.

Can you drive an unregistered car to the shipping pickup location?

In most states, driving an unregistered car on public roads is illegal unless you obtain a temporary permit or transit tag from your state’s DMV. These permits often allow 1–30 days of legal driving while registration is being finalized. Without a permit, the safest option is scheduling pickup directly at the vehicle’s location using a door-to-door auto transport service so the carrier collects the vehicle without it being driven illegally.

How much does it cost to transport an unregistered car?

Shipping an unregistered car typically costs $500–$1,200 for 500–1,500 miles, which is similar to transporting a registered vehicle. The final price depends on distance, vehicle size, operability, carrier type, and seasonal demand. Non-running cars may add $100–$250 because carriers need winches or special loading equipment. Pricing also changes based on fuel costs, route demand, and how quickly the vehicle needs to be moved.

Can you transport a non-running or project car that is not registered?

Yes, auto transport companies frequently ship non-running, salvage, or project cars that are not registered. The vehicle typically needs to roll, steer, and brake so the carrier can load and secure it safely. If the car cannot move at all, carriers may use forklifts or special equipment. In cases where a vehicle cannot be started or driven onto a trailer, services like interstate car towing are often used to move restoration projects or auction vehicles between states.