Got your PCS orders and now wondering what happens to your car? You’re not alone. Shipping a privately owned vehicle during a permanent change of station is one of the most common questions service members ask, and the process has more moving parts than most people expect. This guide walks you through every step, from confirming eligibility to tracking your vehicle across the country or ocean.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility and What the Government Covers
The first thing to sort out is whether the government will pay for your shipment. The answer depends heavily on where you’re going.
For overseas (OCONUS) moves, including Germany, Japan, Hawaii, and South Korea, the military generally covers the cost to ship one privately owned vehicle (POV) per family. Your vehicle goes through a government-managed shipping program, routed through a Vehicle Processing Center (VPC). For moves within the continental United States (CONUS), the government typically expects you to drive. You receive a Mileage Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT) instead. CONUS-to-CONUS shipping at government expense is the exception, not the rule.
Those exceptions do exist, though. Cases where CONUS POV shipping may be authorized include when a service member or dependent has a medical condition that prevents driving, when the reporting timeline is too tight to realistically drive the distance, or when the assignment involves an extremely remote location.
There are also vehicle requirements to keep in mind. Your POV must be self-powered, currently registered, and operational. It must meet size and weight limits, typically around 20 metric tons. Modified or oversized vehicles may need special approval or may not qualify at all. If you’re Active Duty, all six branches are generally eligible, but Reserve and National Guard members should verify entitlements based on the specific nature of their orders.
Timing matters too, and it varies by branch. Army and Air Force personnel generally need the vehicle delivered to the port within 90 days of leaving a foreign tour longer than one year. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard members typically must have their vehicle at the loading port with at least 12 months remaining on their overseas assignment. Your local Transportation Office, also called the Personal Property Office, is your authoritative source for branch-specific deadlines. Check with them early.
If you’re weighing your options for a CONUS move, our guide to military car shipping companies breaks down what to look for when hiring a private carrier.
Step 2: Gather Your Required Documentation
Missing paperwork is the number-one reason vehicles get delayed or turned away at the VPC. Get your documents together at least a week before your scheduled drop-off.
Here’s what you’ll typically need:
- Your official PCS orders (printed copies, not just digital)
- Valid government-issued photo ID or military ID
- Current vehicle registration in your name
- Proof of ownership, usually the title, or lienholder authorization if you still have a loan
- Your driver’s license
- Form 1797, which should be completed during your household goods processing
- Proof that there are no open safety recalls on your vehicle
If you don’t own the car outright, that lienholder letter is critical. It must be on official letterhead from your lender, include the year, make, model, and VIN of the vehicle, and explicitly state that the lender permits overseas shipment. Many lenders restrict international transport, so contact yours early. Some won’t allow it at all.
If someone other than the registered owner is dropping off the vehicle at the VPC, you’ll also need a signed authorization letter with your contact information and the service member’s ID or passport if the owner isn’t present.
For overseas moves, check your destination country’s requirements before you finalize anything. Some countries have emission standards, left-hand drive restrictions, or import modification requirements that can affect whether your vehicle is even allowed in. Your Transportation Office can give you destination-specific guidance, but it’s worth doing your own research early, especially for Germany and Japan, which both have specific inspection requirements.
Stop by the VPC or email your paperwork ahead of time to confirm you have everything before your appointment date. One missing form can mean turning around and losing your slot.
Step 3: Prepare Your Vehicle for Shipment
Vehicle prep is where a lot of service members get tripped up, especially the fuel rule. The VPC will check, and if your tank is over a quarter full, they will turn the vehicle away. That’s the single most common rejection reason.
Here’s what to do before drop-off:
- Wash the vehicle inside and out. The inspection team checks for stains, pet hair, dander, and bug splatter. Some VPCs require detailing. When one family filmed their experience dropping off a vehicle in St. Louis, they had to siphon gas out of the tank in the parking lot because it was just over the quarter-mark. Don’t be that family.
- Remove all personal belongings from the interior, trunk, and glove box. For military government-contracted shipments, no personal items are permitted in the vehicle.
- Keep the fuel tank at or below one-quarter full.
- Confirm the parking brake works. The inspection team will test it.
- Check for open recalls and bring proof there are none, or that they have been resolved.
- Disable any aftermarket car alarm. An alarm triggering during transport causes real problems.
- Note your odometer reading and take detailed photos and video of the entire vehicle, every angle, before handing over the keys.
Those photos matter. They’re your evidence if something happens in transit. Date-stamp them if you can, and save copies in multiple places, not just on your phone.
One thing worth knowing: if you’re shipping through a private carrier rather than a government VPC, up to 100 pounds of personal items may be allowed inside the vehicle. This is a common benefit with private auto transport. Typical items include a car seat, stroller, pack-and-play, jumper cables, snow tires, and basic hand tools. Never put valuables or electronics in the car, though. Insurance rarely covers personal property, only the vehicle itself.
Our detailed walkthrough on preparing your car for shipping covers the full checklist, including tire pressure, battery condition, and what to do with convertible tops.
Step 4: Choose Your Shipping Method
For government-funded OCONUS shipments, your method is essentially decided for you. Your vehicle goes through the VPC system, and the government assigns it to a carrier. You schedule your appointment at pcsmypov.com, show up at the designated facility, and the system handles routing.
For CONUS moves or second vehicles, you’re choosing a private carrier. That opens up two main transport types:
For the vast majority of CONUS PCS moves, open transport is the usable choice. Most service members shipping a daily driver have no need for enclosed. The vehicle arrives fine. If you have a classic car, a leased luxury vehicle, or something with real sentimental or monetary value, enclosed is worth the extra cost.
When you’re hiring a private carrier, check their credentials before you book. Any carrier operating in the US must be registered with the relevant federal motor carrier authority and carry an active USDOT number. You can verify both through the appropriate government carrier database. Also ask for their MC number and confirm insurance coverage. Reputable carriers carry cargo insurance, so ask for documentation of their current coverage before booking.
One additional check: head to airride.com after a carrier is assigned to you. It’s a public database of trucking companies with commercial history and load completion records. If a carrier isn’t listed there, that’s a warning sign.
At Dispatch Dudes, we work with a fully insured carrier network across both open and enclosed transport. We’re BBB accredited and Forbes Business Council recognized, and our dedicated advisors handle the carrier matching and scheduling for you. Each shipment is unique, so we build the logistics around your PCS timeline, not the other way around.
Step 5: Understand Costs, Reimbursement, and Second Vehicles
The government covers one POV per family for qualifying moves. That’s it. If you have a second vehicle, you pay out of pocket.
Private car shipping rates vary widely based on distance, vehicle size, transport type, and time of year. Pricing varies depending on route and season, so request a quote directly from your carrier for an accurate estimate. Overseas military shipments handled through the government contract have separate fee structures, and some destination countries exempt military vehicles from import duties under bilateral agreements, which can save real money.
If you’re shipping a second vehicle, the Army specifically recommends going through the American Business Center for overseas moves rather than trying to arrange it independently. For CONUS second vehicles, you’ll hire a private carrier and pay the full cost yourself. Some families split the work: one person drives one vehicle while the other is shipped, which can offset some of the cost.
One thing that catches people off guard: if your vehicle exceeds the standard weight allowance, you can sometimes pay the difference out of pocket to still get it shipped through the government contract. Check with your Transportation Office, because that flexibility can be a genuine option for families with larger trucks or SUVs.
For CONUS moves where you’re paying privately, PCS season runs from May through August. Carrier availability tightens, and prices can go up. Book early. Waiting until a week before your report date is the most expensive and stressful way to do this.
If you’re moving overseas and planning to ship, also budget for a rental car at your destination. Most families wait four to six weeks before their vehicle arrives. That’s real money in rental costs, so factor it in when you’re planning. If you’re shipping a boat alongside your vehicle, be aware that maritime law governs transport across international waters and import requirements vary significantly by country, so consulting a qualified maritime attorney is worth considering.
Step 6: Schedule Pickup and Plan for Transit Timelines
Book early. That’s the single most useful piece of advice for this entire process.
For government-contracted overseas shipments, go to pcsmypov.com, click “Turn In,” and schedule your drop-off appointment. You’ll need your order number, VIN, and personal information from your PCS orders. Slots fill up fast during peak PCS season, and some VPCs have weeks-long backlogs in summer.
Transit times depend on where you’re shipping from and where you’re going:
- East Coast port to Europe: roughly 60 to 75 days total
- West Coast port or other non-CONUS origin: can stretch past 90 days
- Sea transit alone: typically 2 to 8 weeks depending on the destination
- CONUS private transport: significantly faster, usually 1 to 2 weeks depending on distance and carrier availability
One thing to plan for with private carriers: you cannot book an exact pickup time. Carriers typically provide a 2 to 3-day window, not a specific hour or day. That’s standard in this industry. Build a buffer into your schedule so a one-day shift in pickup timing doesn’t throw off your whole departure plan.
Track your vehicle after drop-off. The government’s VPC system has an online tracker. For private shipments, your broker should give you a carrier contact and tracking updates. Stay in communication. If something feels off or a milestone is overdue, reach out to your Transportation Office or your broker immediately.
At Dispatch Dudes, our advisors stay in contact through the full transit window. We have the network to assign carriers quickly, and for urgent PCS timelines, expedited options are available. Getting your car there when you need it matters more than a generic delivery window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship my car with PCS orders if I’m moving within the US?
In most cases, no. CONUS-to-CONUS moves typically require you to drive, and the government provides a mileage allowance instead. Government-funded POV shipping for domestic moves is only authorized in specific situations, such as a medical condition preventing driving, an extremely short reporting timeline, or a remote assignment location. If none of those apply, you’ll need to arrange private transport and pay out of pocket.
How much does PCS car shipping cost if I’m paying privately?
Private auto transport rates vary depending on distance, vehicle type, and the time of year. Enclosed transport costs roughly 30 to 50 percent more than open. Shipping during peak PCS season from May through August can push prices higher. Get quotes from multiple carriers, and never book based on the lowest online estimate alone since those are approximations until a carrier confirms.
What happens if my vehicle arrives damaged after a PCS move?
That’s exactly why you document your vehicle’s condition before drop-off. Your Bill of Lading (BOL) is the key document. It records the vehicle’s pre-shipment condition, and you compare it against the vehicle at delivery. Don’t sign the delivery paperwork until you’ve done a thorough inspection. If damage is present, note it on the BOL before signing. File a claim with the carrier or the government shipping authority depending on who handled the shipment.
Can I put personal items in my car during a government POV shipment?
No. Government-contracted VPC shipments do not allow personal items in the vehicle. If you’re using a private carrier, up to 100 pounds of personal items may be permitted. Typical approved items include a car seat, stroller, jumper cables, snow tires, and basic tools. Never leave valuables, electronics, or cash in the vehicle regardless of transport type, since personal property is rarely covered by the carrier’s insurance.
How early should I book a car shipping appointment for my PCS move?
As early as possible. For government overseas shipments, schedule your VPC appointment the moment your orders are confirmed. For private CONUS shipments, at least two to four weeks in advance is a reasonable minimum, and more lead time is better if you’re moving during summer PCS season. Late booking during peak season reduces your carrier options and increases both cost and stress.
Does the military pay to ship a second vehicle?
No. The government covers one POV per family per PCS move. If you have a second vehicle, you pay the full shipping cost yourself. For overseas moves, the Army recommends using the American Business Center for second vehicles rather than arranging independently. For CONUS moves, you hire and pay a private carrier directly. Some families choose to drive one vehicle and ship the other to manage the cost.
Ready to Ship Your Vehicle?
Start by contacting your Transportation Office to confirm your specific entitlements, then get your documents together before anything else. The paperwork step is where most delays happen. If you’re handling a CONUS private shipment or a second vehicle, Dispatch Dudes can match you with a fully insured carrier fast, with both open and enclosed options available nationwide. Get an instant quote from Dispatch Dudes and have your vehicle scheduled in as little as 24 hours.