10 Best Auto Transport Companies in North Carolina For 2024

1. Understand North Carolina Residency

This step only applies if you’re relocating from another state and plan to establish permanent residency in North Carolina. The following does not apply to college students living temporarily in NC or snowbirds. North Carolina legally requires new residents to take specific steps regarding insurance, car registration, and more based upon the date you establish residency. In North Carolina, residence is set on the date you:

• Sign a lease agreement, mortgage, or deed for a North Carolina domicile.
• Start gainful employment in NC.

2. Update Insurance to Comply with NC Laws

Each state establishes laws regarding auto insurance requirements. If you drive a motor vehicle in North Carolina, you’re legally required to purchase an insurance policy from a licensed NC insurance agent. You have 30 days to purchase the policy after establishing residency, and the state requires the following coverage amounts:

• $30,000 bodily injury liability per person/$60,000 per accident: Helps cover expenses for injuries you cause to a single person hurt in an accident.
• $25,000 property damage liability per accident: Pays for damage you cause to another driver’s car or property.
• $30,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person/$60,000 per accident: Covers expenses for injuries for one person when the person who causes the accident doesn’t have insurance.
• $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage per accident: Covers damage expenses when the person who causes the accident doesn’t have insurance.

If you feel the required insurance coverage isn’t sufficient to cover your financial risk in an accident, you can always purchase a higher dollar amount coverage. You can also buy collision or comprehensive insurance policies for additional peace of mind.

3. Title and Register Your Vehicle

You have 60 days from the time you established residency to register and title your vehicle. Before registering, you must get your NC driver license. To register your car, you must:

• Visit a local NC DMV.
• Complete and present the MVR-1 Title Application. The Certificate of Title fee is $56.
• Complete and present the MVR-180 Odometer Disclosure if your vehicle is less than ten years old.
• Present your North Carolina driver license or valid out-of-state driver license along with a North Carolina temporary driving certificate.
• Provide proof of your North Carolina vehicle insurance.
• Pay the title, highway-use tax, and plate fee (the plate fee varies among counties).

4. Obtain a Valid North Carolina Driver License

Within 60 days of establishing residency in North Carolina, you must get an NC driver's license if you plan to drive a motor vehicle. To apply, make an appointment to visit an NC DMV driver license office and bring:

• Your valid out-of-state license or one document that proves your date of birth and identity
• Your social security card or a document that proves your social security number
• A document that proves your physical address in North Carolina – bring two forms of verification if you’re applying for an NC Real ID
• For persons not born in the US, a document with your full name proving your legal status
• A document showing proof of required liability insurance coverage purchased from a licensed North Carolina provider
• The state may waive road and written tests if you have a valid driver license from another state

5. Purchase an NC Quick Pass

About 63 miles of North Carolina roadways are toll roads: the 19 mile Triangle Expressway (Toll NC 540 and Toll NC 147) in Durham and Wake counties, the 19 mile Monroe Expressway (Toll US 74 bypass) from Stallings to the east of Wingate, and the 25 miles of I-77 Express Lanes between Brookshire Boulevard and NC 150 in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties.

The NC Quick Pass account saves you up to 35% on North Carolina road tolls. With an account, you’ll also avoid paying extra fees that can result from toll bills. When you open your account, you can either link your account to a debit or credit card, so your account funds automatically replenish or manually pay to top off your account.

Are you looking to ship your vehicle to North Carolina from another part of the country? Caravan Auto Transport’s network of vetted, licensed, and insured auto transporters offers safe, efficient transport of your automobile to its destination without running up the miles on the odometer. These reputable North Carolina car shipping companies provide the following services:

Open Car Transport

The most common method of car transportation, open transport carriers are ideal if you’re looking for an affordable shipping option with speedy delivery. As the name suggests, your car is loaded onto an open-air trailer along with several other vehicles headed to the same destination.

Enclosed Auto Transport

If you desire enhanced security or protection for your vehicle, you may wish to arrange enclosed carrier shipping. Inside a covered trailer, your car has protection from harsh weather conditions and road hazards like dust and dirt. Shipping your vehicle in a closed carrier also enhances its safety during transit by keeping the car concealed.

Door-to-Door Car Shipping

With a door-to-door car shipping service, you choose the desired pick-up and drop-off locations rather than having to arrange getting your vehicle to or from a transport terminal. Door-to-door shipping is the most convenient choice for shipping your car to or from North Carolina, saving you time and effort.

Expedited Shipping

In a hurry to get your car from one location to the next? Upgrading to expedited shipping ensures a seamless pick-up and drop-off of your vehicle on your schedule. As a priority customer, you receive fast, timely service so you can get back to driving that much quicker.

Classic and Antique Car Transport

When it comes to transporting a classic car, you want an auto transport company that can deliver your vehicle without a single dent or scratch. From a vintage Mustang to an antique DeVaux Sports Coupe, our network of classic auto transporters has the expertise and equipment to transport your classic car safely, so it arrives in pristine condition.

High End and Luxury Auto Shipping

Exotic car transporters use specialty equipment, like hydraulic lifts and sophisticated tie-downs, along with enclosed trucks, to keep your valuable car safe during every mile of transit. An enclosed car hauler ensures the ultimate protection for your high-end or luxury vehicle, protecting it from dirt, dust, and debris along the way.

From starting a new job to heading South for the winter, there are numerous reasons you may be interested in shipping a car to North Carolina or somewhere outside of the Tar Heel State. Caravan Auto Transport’s network of auto shippers streamlines the car hauling process no matter your reason for transporting your vehicle to or from NC.

Moving and Relocation

When moving cross-country or out-of-state, many people choose to ship their cars rather than add a long road trip to an already stressful and exhausting relocation experience. Leave the logistics of moving your vehicle in the hands of professionals with either open or enclosed vehicle shipping services.

Snowbirds

Do you fly south for the winter? The gentle climate along North Carolina’s coast draws many snowbirds from icy, snowy parts of the country. Given coastal North Carolina’s lack of freezing temps, it’s not hard to understand why you may head south for the winter. Start enjoying your escape from the frigid north that much sooner by shipping your car and meeting it at your North Carolina destination – whether you’re wintering at legendary Pinehurst Village for a season of golf or in a village on the friendly, laid-back Outer Banks.

Military

North Carolina is home to eight military bases. From renowned Fort Bragg near Fayetteville to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, over 112,951 military personnel are stationed in the Tar Heel State. If you are one of the brave men and women serving our country, we’re happy to provide you with free quotes and connect you with top-notch car transportation to or from North Carolina.

Online Car Buyers

Whether you’ve found the perfect vehicle on Craigslist, eBay, or AutoTrader, you may need some assistance getting it home, especially if it’s sitting on the other side of the country. Instead of flying out to pick it up and putting hundreds or thousands of miles on the odometer just to get it to your driveway, arrange for a hauler to transport your new car for you.

College Students

From private Duke University in Durham to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina has no shortage of top-tier colleges and universities for those seeking to further their education. If you have a college student moving to North Carolina from out-of-state (or vice versa), have their vehicle shipped straight to campus with a fast, affordable auto transport service.

On average, it costs between $500-$1500 to ship a car to North Carolina. Anticipate paying around $1 per mile for the first 1-500 miles, then approximately $.75 for every mile after that. Several factors influence the final cost of shipping your vehicle, including the origin and destination zip codes, the method of transport (open vs. enclosed), the speed of shipment, the type of vehicle, and the time of year. The best way to get an accurate estimate of car shipping costs is by requesting free quotes from our network of auto transport companies.