Copart Towing and Transport: How to Pick Up Your Car After You Win

Copart makes buying easy: a few clicks and the car is yours. Getting it out of the yard is the part that trips people up. Gate passes, storage fees, loading hours and cars that don't run all have to line up.

Velocity Logistics picks up at Copart yards every day. We're an independent, licensed motor carrier based in Indianapolis, not affiliated with Copart. Here's the process, start to finish.

1. Pay in full, then get the gate pass

Copart holds the car until it's paid. After payment clears, your account shows the release paperwork, often called a gate pass, tied to the lot number. The yard won't load a car for a driver without it.

2. Book transport right away

Copart charges storage after a free period, and the length depends on the yard and your buyer type. Every extra day the car sits can add up, so book transport the day you pay.

When you request a quote, include:

• Lot number and year, make and model
• The exact yard (many cities have more than one Copart location)
• Your delivery address
• The car's condition (runs, rolls, keys)

3. Be honest about the condition

A lot of Copart inventory is salvage: flood cars, hail damage, front-end hits, theft recoveries. That's fine: salvage cars are a normal part of our daily auction pickups. What causes problems is a surprise at the gate.

Tell us if the car:

• Won't start. Non-runners load differently.
• Won't roll or steer. A seized wheel or bent suspension needs a plan before the truck arrives.
• Has no keys. Common at Copart, and it matters for loading.
• Has loose parts. Hanging bumpers or panels get secured before the trip.

4. Pickup during yard hours

Copart yards load vehicles during set hours, so dispatch schedules pickup around them. The driver presents the gate pass, the yard brings the car out, and it's loaded.

Before the car is strapped down, the driver photographs it on a digital bill of lading. Bought it from listing photos? Those pickup photos show you what you actually got.

5. Delivery anywhere in the lower 48

We deliver to your home, your shop, a body shop or your lot, or the nearest safe spot a carrier can reach, which the driver confirms by phone. When it arrives, check the car against the pickup photos and note any difference on the bill of lading before you sign.

We pick up at Copart every day, often on our own trucks. When our schedule can't cover a yard or a date, a vetted partner carrier through our licensed broker partner hauls it, and we tell you before pickup.

Mistakes that cost Copart buyers money

• Waiting to book. Shopping for the cheapest hauler for a week often costs more in storage than it saves.
• Wrong yard. Double-check the address on your account, not just the city.
• Hiding the condition. A driver who shows up with the wrong setup for a non-runner may have to leave without the car.
• Forgetting the gate pass. No pass, no pickup.

Buying for resale or a shop?

If you buy at Copart regularly, tell us your usual yards and volume. Our semis carry 7 to 9 vehicles, so several units can move together, and dispatch can set up a routine for repeat pickups. See dealer and auction transport.

The bottom line

Pay, grab the gate pass, book transport the same day, and describe the car honestly. That's how a Copart win turns into a car in your driveway instead of a growing storage bill. Learn more about our Copart pickups, or request a quote with your lot number. Bought from IAA instead? Here's our IAA pickup guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do you pick up from Copart?

Yes. Velocity Logistics picks up at Copart yards every day. Send the lot number, the yard address and the gate pass or release once you've paid, and dispatch schedules the pickup. We are an independent carrier, not affiliated with Copart.

What do I need to give the hauler for a Copart pickup?

The lot number, the yard's address, the gate pass or release once it's issued, your delivery address, and an honest description of the car's condition: whether it runs, rolls and has keys.

Can a non-running Copart car be shipped?

Yes. Non-running and salvage vehicles are fine. Tell us when you book so the driver arrives with the right equipment and the yard pickup doesn't fail.

How long does Copart give me before storage fees?

It varies by yard, sale and buyer type, so check the terms on your Copart account. Booking transport the day you pay is the best way to avoid storage charges.

Can you ship several Copart cars at once?

Often, yes. Our semis carry 7 to 9 vehicles, so multiple units from the same yard or nearby yards can move together. Tell us how many when you request a quote.