The short answer
At delivery, walk the vehicle against the pickup Bill of Lading and your own photos before signing anything, even if the driver is in a hurry or it's raining or dark. If you find new damage, write specific details directly on the delivery copy of the Bill of Lading — not just verbally to the driver — and photograph it immediately. Never pay a driver cash at delivery; nothing is due once the vehicle is picked up.
- The delivery Bill of Lading, once signed clean, makes a later damage claim very difficult to win — the inspection must happen before you sign.
- A full 10-minute walkaround covers all four corners, the roof, wheels, glass, and the odometer.
- Nothing is due at delivery — the full order total was already charged the moment the carrier picked up the vehicle.
- Poor lighting (rain, night delivery) should be noted on the Bill of Lading itself if it limits your ability to inspect.
- Photos timestamped at delivery, paired with a written note on the Bill of Lading, are the strongest basis for any damage claim.
The 10-minute walkaround script
- Start at the front bumper and move clockwise around the entire vehicle.
- Check each door panel and rocker panel for new scuffs or dents.
- Inspect all four wheels and tires for curb damage.
- Check the roof and hood, especially on SUVs and trucks where road debris lands.
- Look at the windshield and all glass for new chips or cracks.
- Confirm the odometer reading matches what was recorded at pickup.
- Start the vehicle and test the basics — lights, horn, wipers — before the driver leaves.
Why you should never be rushed into signing
Drivers are on a schedule with other deliveries queued behind yours, and there can be gentle pressure to sign quickly. That's understandable from their side, but it's still your right to take the ten minutes a proper inspection requires. A rushed signature on a clean Bill of Lading is the single biggest reason legitimate damage claims get denied — once you've signed off on the vehicle's condition, disputing it later becomes very difficult.
Inspecting in the rain or after dark
Poor conditions happen — deliveries don't always land in daylight. If you genuinely cannot see the vehicle well enough to inspect it properly, write that on the Bill of Lading itself before signing (for example, noting 'delivered after dark, full inspection not possible') and follow up with a full daylight inspection and photos as soon as possible the next morning. That written note preserves your ability to raise concerns even if you couldn't fully verify condition in the moment.
What to write if you find new damage
- Describe the damage specifically: location, size, and type (e.g., "2-inch scuff, rear passenger door, below handle").
- Note that it was not present on the pickup Bill of Lading.
- Both you and the driver should initial the noted damage.
- Photograph it immediately, in good light, from multiple angles.
Why a cash request at delivery is a major red flag
Nothing is due at delivery, period — the full order total was already charged the moment the carrier picked up your vehicle. If a driver asks for cash, a card swipe, or any payment at drop-off, that is not how a legitimate shipment works and should be treated as a serious red flag. Contact your provider immediately rather than paying anything on the spot.
Frequently asked questions
- How long should a delivery inspection take?
- Plan for about 10 minutes to properly walk all four corners, the roof, wheels, glass, and odometer against your pickup photos. Don't let time pressure from the driver's schedule cut that short.
- What if the car is delivered at night and I can't inspect it well?
- Write on the Bill of Lading that a full inspection wasn't possible due to lighting, then do a complete daylight inspection with photos as soon as possible afterward to preserve your ability to raise any issues.
- Should I pay the driver anything at delivery?
- No. Nothing is due at delivery — the full order total was already charged the moment the carrier picked up your vehicle. A request for cash or card payment at drop-off is a red flag.