The short answer
Federal regulations bar auto carriers from hauling household goods, so the trunk should be empty of anything beyond a spare tire and basic roadside tools before pickup. Remove toll transponders like EZ-Pass and SunPass entirely — a live tag can rack up tolls across states you didn't authorize. Drop the fuel to around a quarter tank, pull garage door openers and dashcams for security, and leave the rest — plates, registration, insurance — right where they are.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules prohibit carriers from transporting household goods as cargo on an auto hauler.
- A live EZ-Pass or SunPass left in the car can be charged tolls across states you never authorized as the carrier crosses toll roads.
- Roadside emergency tools — jack, spare tire, jumper cables, basic first-aid kit — are generally fine to leave in the vehicle.
- Garage door openers and dashcams left in view are a documented theft and privacy risk during multi-day transit.
- About a quarter tank of fuel is the target: enough to load and drive off, light enough to stay under carrier axle weight limits.
The federal rule everyone underestimates
This isn't a carrier preference, it's a licensing distinction. Auto transport companies are authorized to move vehicles, not household goods — hauling furniture, boxes, or personal belongings as freight would require a completely different type of carrier authority. That means your trunk isn't a free moving container during transport. A few light items are commonly tolerated in practice, but a trunk packed for a move is a liability the driver may refuse at the curb, costing you the pickup window.
Toll transponders: the expensive oversight
An active EZ-Pass, SunPass, or similar transponder left in the glovebox doesn't know the vehicle is on a carrier truck instead of being driven by you. As the hauler crosses state toll roads over a multi-day trip, that tag gets billed like normal — potentially in states you've never even driven through. Remove it and store it at home, or at minimum, put it in the trunk fully wrapped in foil or its provided pouch so it can't be scanned.
What's generally fine to leave
- Jack, lug wrench, and spare tire — standard factory equipment.
- A basic first-aid or emergency kit.
- Owner's manual and registration paperwork (registration should stay with the car regardless).
- Floor mats and factory cargo cover.
What to pull out before the driver arrives
- Garage door openers and gate remotes — a real security risk if the car sits at a terminal or yard overnight.
- Dashcams and any visible electronics, which invite break-ins during multi-stop routes.
- EZ-Pass, SunPass, and any other toll transponder.
- Cash, jewelry, electronics, and anything of personal value.
- Aftermarket accessories not bolted down — phone mounts, portable chargers, sunglasses.
Getting the fuel level right
A quarter tank is the sweet spot. It's enough for the driver to load the car onto the trailer, maneuver it into position, and for you to drive it off and reach a gas station at delivery, but it doesn't add unnecessary weight. Carriers run against DOT axle weight limits, and a truck loaded with several full tanks across multiple vehicles can add up faster than people expect — it's a small thing per car, but it matters at scale.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I leave luggage or boxes in the trunk during shipping?
- No — federal rules prohibit carriers from hauling household goods as cargo, and a trunk packed like a moving van can get a pickup refused at the curb. Ship boxes separately or fly with them instead.
- Why does a toll transponder matter if the car isn't being driven by me?
- A live EZ-Pass or SunPass still gets scanned at toll plazas the carrier passes through, charging your account for tolls across a route you didn't drive. Remove it or shield it before pickup.
- How much fuel should be in the tank for shipping?
- About a quarter tank — enough to load, unload, and reach a gas station, without adding excess weight that affects the carrier's axle limits.
- Is it safe to leave a garage door opener in the car?
- It's not recommended. If the vehicle sits at a terminal or in transit overnight, a visible garage remote is a security risk that's simple to avoid — just take it with you.