A Quick Guide to Auto Transport for Military Members

⋅ Auto Shipper ⋅

Shipping Nationally

When military personnel is shipping nationally across the U.S. with auto transport companies, you are allowed to ship a single POV to your destination. The government authorizes payment for a single vehicle to be shipped to your new station. This vehicle must be shipped to the army base and not another location. With each POV shipped, you need to fill out a specific form for the type of vehicle you are shipping. We understand that those in the military often have to leave quickly and unexpectedly to a new location, and we are here to help your vehicle get there when it needs to be at its new base.

POV Requirements

Your POV must be self-propelled, which are automobiles, motorcycles, pickup trucks, vans, scooters and jeeps. All vehicles must have 4 wheels unless they are mopeds or motorcycles and must be legal for driving on highways. Any vehicles that are considered “low riders” need 6 inches or more of clearance to prevent damage to the POV during shipment. They also cannot have a lift kit taller than 3 inches. You can check with your local transportation office about military auto transport if you are unsure whether you can ship your POV.

Items You Can Ship in Your POV

There are many items that you can and cannot ship in your POV. You can ship a spare tire and two snow tires with wheels. Small items need to be packed in one carton given to you by the vehicle processing center. Items like stereos must be bolted down or installed into the car to prevent damage from movement around in the POV. Tools that are under $200 in value are allowed. Such tools include Tire chains, first aid kits, jumper cables, jack tire irons, first aid kits, warning triangle/trouble lights. Items that cannot be shipped with your POV include any pressurized cans, liquids, flammable or hazardous substances like paints or oils, items that can move around and electronics like TVs that aren’t permanently installed.

Shipping Overseas

Your local transportation office and overseas sponsor should know all of the details for shipping your POV. When shipping your POV overseas, you need the following items to drop off and pick up your vehicle:

  • A form of ID – military ID and driver’s license
  • Set of Keys
  • Copy of DD form 788 (Private Vehicle Shipping Document) or a commercial equivalent
  • Copy of member’s Power of Attorney if your spouse is picking up your vehicle

Military shipping with Direct Connect is hassle-free and easy. Leave the work up to us to move cars so all you have to worry about is getting to your new military base. With years of experience shipping vehicles, we can assure you that your vehicle will be delivered in a timely and safe manner.