10 Best Auto Transport Companies in Virginia For 2024

Are you itching to get on the roads of Virginia? Once your vehicle is delivered, it’s tempting to jump in and explore! Make sure you have everything covered with the following steps:

1. Understand Virginia Residency

This step only applies to those relocating to Virginia from another state who plan to establish their permanent and principal residence here (i.e., this does not apply to college students living here temporarily). Virginia legally requires new residents to take specific steps regarding insurance, car registration, and more based upon the date of residency. It may be challenging to establish an exact date of residency, but you become an official resident if:

• You live in Virginia for more than 183 days out of the year
• You maintain an abode for more than 183 days per year
• You are a legal (domiciliary) resident of the Commonwealth

Keep the date you establish residency in mind as you review the remaining steps.

2. Update Your Insurance to Comply with VA Laws

Each state sets its own laws regarding auto insurance minimums. In Virginia, you must purchase an insurance policy from a licensed VA insurance agent with the following:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person/$50,000 per accident: Bodily injury liability coverage pays for any injuries of other persons in an accident in which you are the at-fault driver.
• $20,000 property damage liability per accident: Property liability coverage pays for any damage done to another car or property in an accident in which you are the at-fault driver.
• $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person/$50,000 per accident: UIM protects you against other drivers who may not have sufficient insurance to cover expenses in an accident they cause.
• $20,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage per accident: UIM protects you against other drivers who may not have sufficient insurance to cover property damage expenses in an accident they cause.

You may also want to consider purchasing collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and personal injury protection (PIP).

3. Title and Register Your Vehicle

If you bring a car into Virginia from out of state, you must apply for title and registration within 30 days of establishing residency.

• Title: A title shows your proof of ownership of the vehicle in the state of Virginia. To obtain a certificate of title, you must provide proof of identity, ownership, and required insurance coverage, complete the application form along with a VIN verification, and pay any applicable fees and taxes. For more information on titling your car, click here.
• Registration: Additionally, you must register your car and obtain a metal license plate, a registration certificate, and a registration decal. You can complete the initial registration at the time of titling. For more information on motor vehicle registration, click here.

4. Obtain a Valid Virginia Driver License

You must obtain a Virginia license within 60 days of establishing residency. You must apply for your license in-person at a local Virginia DMV office (for a list of locations by county, click here). During the application process, you must:

• Visit a Virginia DMV location
• Present your out-of-state driver license
• Provide proof (ID, VA residency, legal US presence, and social security number)
• Complete a Driver’s License & ID Card Application
• Take a vision screening (and possibly knowledge and road skills test)
• Surrender your current license
• Pay applicable fees

5. Purchase an E-ZPass

Virginia is home to several toll roads, tunnels, bridges, and Express/Hot lanes. To make getting around the Old Dominion easier, you might want to purchase an E-ZPass prepaid toll pass. With an E-ZPass transponder, you’ll save on tolls and have access to express lanes for faster commuting. Plus, the E-ZPass works on toll roads in the following states: Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Florida. Learn more about setting up an E-ZPass account here.

Looking to ship your vehicle to Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia, 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 vintage Mustangs to antique DeVaux Sports Coupes, 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 moving off to college to exploring charming small towns, there are numerous reasons you may be interested in shipping a car to Virginia or somewhere outside of the Old Dominion. Caravan Auto Transport’s network of auto shippers streamlines the car hauling process no matter your reason for transporting your vehicle to or from VA.

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.

Military

Virginia is home to 27 military bases. From Langley Air Force Base in Hampton to NAB Little Creek Navy Base in Norfolk, the Old Dominion is home to tens of thousands of military personnel. If you are one of the brave men and women serving our country, we’re happy to serve you with top-notch car transportation to or from Virginia.

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 the nationally acclaimed University of Virginia to the more intimate William & Mary, Virginia has no shortage of top-tier colleges and universities for those seeking to further their education. If you have a college student moving to Virginia 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 Virginia. 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.