Can I Pay Someone To Drive My Car Across The Country?

You have more options to transport a vehicle across the country than you think. The first and perhaps more obvious one is simply embarking on a road trip and driving the vehicle yourself to your destination.

Another option for those who cannot drive the car themselves is to hire an auto transport company that handles all the logistics of it. Yet, there’s another possible solution to this problem not many people consider: hiring someone to drive it for you.

Is it worth it? Let’s discuss this.

What Do These Services Look Like?

There are actually a lot of companies out there who offer these kinds of 'driveaway services', though how they tackle the issue can be a bit different.

Some companies have a team of drivers directly employed by them, who simply hop on from one car to another across the country. Others may work with freelancers who only provide their services part-time, or in a seasonal manner, depending on how much time and effort they want to put into this kind of activity (and how much money they want to make).

Auto transport is a rather risky industry, so no matter what type of employment the drivers have, the companies that run the operation will make the same promises in regards to safety and security. They will have different measures in place to put clients' minds at ease:

• Having insured drivers
• Running background checks on the people they work with
• Even creating profiles of their drivers so you can get to know them, increasing trust.

Of course, we should also mention that, since it’s the golden age of technology, you can work with freelance drivers directly, without going through a business that oversees the process. However, It should be pointed out here that you may not receive the same protections.

When you work with a company, you sign a contract, which lays out specific clauses meant to protect both you and the company. If the freelancer agrees to sign a contract, then your rights are protected. If the don’t, well, it’s a lot riskier.

Hiring a driver through one of these companies is a viable option for transporting the vehicle, and you can find a lot of reputable companies out there with impeccable reputations. As to whether this service is right for you, that really depends on what you’re looking for.

Let’s consider some pros and cons to hiring a driver to deliver your car.

The Pros

The services here can differ from company to company, as well as the type of packages you ultimately choose, based on what you want and how much money you can afford spending.

In some cases, you can opt to ride along with the driver, which means you’ll be in the vehicle for an entire trip. In some cases, this seems like it defeats the purpose of having the car transported by someone else, but for some riddled with worry about leaving their car in a stranger’s hand, it’s actually the preferred option.

Additionally, since your vehicle is the only one being transported, you get the company driver’s full attention and care. Auto transport companies usually ship vehicles through large carriers where they load multiple vehicles at the same time, which for some people can create extra anxieties. This may be a better option if you want the full attention given solely to your vehicle.

Hiring a driver will also allow you to transport items inside your vehicle, and even pets if needed. When you ship a car, you need to empty it of any belongings to ensure a safer journey, and loose objects can damage the interior quite a lot.

The Cons

Now, let’s get to the other side of the coin. First off, hiring a driver to transport your vehicle is more expensive. You not only pay for the service itself - the driver actually takes the car from point A to B - but also for their food and accommodation for overnight stays.

Since it’s an across the country trip, they can’t do it in just one day, so they will need to take breaks and have a place to sleep, for which you will pay. You may not get an additional bill for these services, but they will be included in your rate.

Other cons to consider:

• You’ll be putting wear and tear on the vehicle;
• It may be difficult to find a reputable driver to drive your car to certain destinations;
• Insurance may be insufficient. The drivers may be insured, but the vehicle itself may not, and your personal auto insurance possibly won’t cover such services;
• Even if you do find a company, you may get rejected. The business model here is to pair a driver with a specific type of vehicle they are familiar with. If the company does not have a driver who can use it, then it’s a no go. Additionally, if your car is older than 7 years, most companies will not accept it.

So, the Conclusion?

As long as you find a trustworthy company, this is a legitimate option car owners have when it comes to transporting their vehicles across the country.

If you’re still unsure if you should hire a driver, or an auto shipping company, you should research both your options and see which one is more convenient for you in terms of:

• The price
• The types of services included
• What you’re comfortable with

Choose us!

We can promise something these driver hiring firms can’t: speedy, safe delivery. At A-1 Auto Transport, we work with professional shippers that allows to ship multiple vehicles at the same time safely while using the right equipment to keep all the vehicles in place during transport.