Avoiding Unnecessary Risk: The Case for Removing License Plates

When you prepare your vehicle for auto transport, there are plenty of important steps to take. You might clean out personal items, photograph the car’s condition, and double-check that it is ready to load. Yet one small but often overlooked precaution is removing the license plates before shipment. 

Why removing your license plate is advised before auto transport.

Top 4 Reasons Why Removing the License Plate is a Good Idea

It is not a requirement, but it is highly advised because it protects you from several avoidable risks.

The Risk of Physical Damage

Auto carriers move multiple vehicles at once, and the process involves ramps, straps, and tight loading spaces. In this environment, license plates can be bent, scratched, or even shaken loose during transport. While it may not seem like a big issue, replacing or repairing damaged plates is inconvenient and adds unnecessary costs once the car reaches its destination.

Its recommended that you remove license plate before auto transport.

Administrative Headaches

License plates are directly tied to your registration and identity. If a plate is lost in transit, you may need to go through the DMV to have it replaced. This not only takes time but can also delay your ability to drive the car legally once it arrives. A missing plate could also cause confusion when ownership needs to be verified at pickup or delivery.

What If an Accident Happens?

Though uncommon, accidents do occur in auto transport. In a worst-case scenario where a carrier is involved in a collision and multiple vehicles are totaled, license plates could be lost, destroyed, or entangled in the aftermath. Keeping your plates safe with you ensures they remain intact and ready for reinstallation, no matter what happens during the journey.

A Small Step for Peace of Mind

Removing your plates is quick and simple. Place them with your vehicle paperwork, store them securely, and reinstall them once your car is delivered. This small effort eliminates the chance of damage, loss, or administrative delays connected to your license plates.

Final Thoughts

There is no rule requiring you to remove your license plates before transport, but it is strongly advised. Taking them off protects you from unnecessary complications and gives you peace of mind. In the auto transport process, where so many details are out of your control, this is one easy precaution that keeps you in charge. 

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