10 Best Auto Transport Companies in Maryland For 2024

Are you excited to explore Maryland? As soon as your ride is successfully shipped, it’s almost time to explore! Before you hop in your car and hit the open road, you’ll want to go over the following steps.

1. Understand Maryland Residency

If you’re moving to the state of Maryland from another state and plan to establish permanent residence here, you’ll need to take the required steps when it comes to vehicle registration, car insurance, and more. It can be challenging to establish an exact date of residency, but the following defines a Maryland resident:

• Someone whose permanent home is in the state
• Someone who establishes a permanent residence outside of MD but maintains an abode in the state for longer than six months (183 days or more) out of the tax year

2. Update Insurance to Comply with MD Laws

Each state sets its own laws regarding auto insurance minimums. In Maryland, you are legally required to buy an insurance policy from a licensed MD insurance agent with the following coverage:

• $30,000 bodily injury liability per person/$60,000 per accident: Bodily injury liability coverage covers another person’s injuries in an accident for which you are at fault.
• $30,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person/$60,000 per accident: UIM coverage pays for your medical bills and the cost of repair/replacement of your vehicle when hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
• $15,000 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.
• $15,000 uninsured/underinsured property damage coverage per accident: UMPD covers damage to your vehicle if an uninsured or underinsured driver hits it.

3. Title and Register Your Vehicle

If you ship a car into Maryland from out of state and plan to live here permanently, you must apply for title and registration within 60 days of establishing residency.

• Title: A title shows your proof of ownership of the vehicle in the state of Maryland. To obtain a certificate of title, you must provide proof of identity, ownership, Maryland’s minimum liability insurance requirements, Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate, completed Application of Certificate of Title, and pay any applicable fees and taxes. You may also need to supply additional information, including proof of vehicle’s value, lease agreement, lien information/lien release, and/or power of attorney.
• Registration: Additionally, you must register your vehicle, obtain a metal license plate, a registration certificate, and a registration decal. If you fail to register your car within 60 days of establishing residency, you may be given a citation and not receive a tax credit on titling tax. For more info on titling and registering your vehicle, click here.

4. Obtain a Valid Maryland Driver License

You must obtain a Maryland license within 60 days of establishing residency. You must apply for a new one at a Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) MVA office. During the application process, you must:

• Provide proof: identity, age, residential address, social security number
• Pass a vision test
• Pass knowledge and skills tests (if the license is expired)
• Surrender out-of-state license
• Pay applicable driver license fees

5. Consider These Winter Driving Tips

Maryland winters can be pretty intense, so it pays to prepare. Whether you’re traveling for work or the holidays, these following points will help you stay safe on winter roads.

• First, plan. Check your route and weather forecast.
• Next, inspect your vehicle (oil antifreeze, wipers, and so on).
• Third, pack a winter driving kit. This kit should include a flashlight, jumper cables, flares, and extra warm clothing. A shovel and either sand or kitty litter can also be a lifesaver if you get stuck in the snow.

6. Register for an E-Z Pass

An E-Z Pass will help you zip through Maryland’s tollways with ease. This electronic toll system operates across 18 states along the East Coast and Midwestern parts of the United States. If you plan to do any interstate driving, it’s practically a must. Additionally, signing up for a Maryland E-Z Pass prepaid plan will give you discounted rates on roads, bridges, and tunnels throughout the state.

Are you looking to ship your vehicle to Maryland 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 Maryland car shipping companies provide the following services:

Open Car Transport

The most common car transportation method, 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 Maryland, 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 building your career, there are so many reasons you may be interested in shipping a car to Maryland or somewhere outside of the Free State. Caravan Auto Transport’s auto shippers network streamlines the car hauling process no matter your reason for transporting your vehicle to or from MD.

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? Given Maryland’s frigid winter temps along with snow and ice, it’s not hard to understand why. Start enjoying your escape from frigid North that much sooner by shipping your car and meeting it at your destination -- whether you’re wintering on the beach in balmy, laid-back Florida, or on the golf course in the Arizona desert.

Military

Maryland is home to three military bases. From Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair to Camp Price Support Center Army Base in Granite City, thousands of military personnel call the Free State home. 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 Maryland.

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 acclaimed University of Chicago to Northwestern University – these two schools are #6 and #9 in the US, respectively – Maryland is home to top-tier colleges and universities for those seeking to further their education. If you have a college student moving to Maryland 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 Maryland. 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.