How to Ship a Vehicle After Winning at Auction

Winning at auction is the thrilling part. The next step of getting your vehicle off the lot is less glamorous but just as important. Every auction has its own rules for removal, and those rules are what determine whether your pickup is smooth and cost-efficient, or frustrating and expensive.

That’s why we built our auto auction directory: to give dealers and buyers a heads-up about what to expect before they bid. In this article, we’ll walk through the main types of auctions you’ll run into, highlight some examples from across the U.S., and point out the details that make a difference when it’s time to arrange transport.

Why We Looked at These Auctions

We pulled examples from two kinds of sources:

• National chains like Copart and IAA, because they have hundreds of yards nationwide and set many of the “standard” removal practices.
• Unique lots like police impounds, municipal auctions, towing companies, lien sales, and government surplus, because they show how different the rules can be once you step outside the big chains.

This mix gives you a sense of the full range from app-based appointment systems to cash-only, same-day removals.

The Big Chains: Copart and IAA

If you’re buying through Copart or IAA, you’ll find a mix of consistency and local variation.

Copart generally gives you three free storage days (including the day of sale) and requires you to book a pickup appointment through their app. Vehicles can’t be driven off the lot. They have to be trailered or towed. And, third-party transporters need a Gate PIN to get through and are required to use their mobile app to pick up. Storage fees kick in quickly, usually $50 a day or more.

IAA’s system is similar but often allows a little more free storage, usually sale day plus four days. Safety rules are tighter, too: transport drivers are required to wear high-visibility vests on site. IAA staff will use loaders to move vehicles around the yard. But their equipment has a limit (11,000 lbs max). If a vehicle is heavier than that, such as large commercial trucks, RVs, buses, then the IAA crew won’t lift it onto a transporter’s trailer.

So for “oversized vehicles,” buyers have to bring their own equipment (like a heavy-duty tow truck or lowboy trailer) rather than expecting the auction to load it for them.

If you miss the removal window, they do charge daily storage fees plus relocation costs.

The lesson with chains is simple: expect a structured process, and use their systems (apps, gate passes, ID requirements) to your advantage. If you move quickly, pickup is straightforward.

Municipal and Police Auctions

City-run impound lots operate very differently. Their rules are strict and non-negotiable because their main business isn’t customer service. It’s clearing space.

Take the Omaha Vehicle Impound Lot: cars sold at Saturday auctions must be removed by 8:00 PM Sunday. No grace period, no exceptions. Leave your vehicle past the deadline, and it’s moved with added charges.

Or the Colorado Springs Police Impound Lot: you have to use a licensed tow truck, paperwork must be completed in advance, and storage fees of $30 per day start immediately.

These auctions can be great places to score deals, but the pickup rules are unforgiving.

Towing Company and Wrecker Auctions

Tow yards and wrecker services often run their own public auctions. The rules here are less standardized and more local.

Some, like Welchel Auctions in Georgia, run online sales where buyers have 48 hours to pay in cash and remove vehicles before $50/day storage charges pile up. Others, like AAA Avila Towing’s Cali Auction in California, are in-person events where payment can be made by cash or card, and inspection windows even allow test drives.

Towing and wrecker auctions expect quick payment and quick removal, usually within a couple of days. Procedures can be more flexible than municipal lots, but often less predictable.

Lien Sales

Lien sales are auctions of abandoned or unclaimed vehicles, often held by storage yards or mechanics. Here, deadlines are tight.

At the Long Beach Auction Lien Sale, for example, buyers must pay by 4:00 PM and have the vehicle removed by 5:00 PM on the same day. Tow trucks are required, and vehicles cannot be driven off site.

If you’re bidding at a lien sale, treat it like a sprint where payment, pickup, and removal all happen in a single day.

Government Surplus Auctions

Government surplus sales, such as GSA Fleet Vehicle Sales, fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. Buyers usually have up to 10 days to remove vehicles, but the trade-off is paperwork. You’ll need government-issued ID, authorization letters for third-party transporters, and sometimes even notarized documents if you purchased online.

The process is slower but more flexible. For fleet buyers planning multiple purchases, this can actually be the easiest setup as long as you’re ready with the right documents.

What to Watch Across All Auctions

The specifics vary, but a few themes cut across every type:

• Storage fees kick in fast. Whether it’s 48 hours or five days, free storage is limited, and daily rates escalate quickly.
• You almost never get to drive the vehicle off the lot. Always assume you’ll need a tow or trailer.
• Hours matter. Yards often close earlier than offices, and weekend pickup is rare.
• Paperwork rules are non-negotiable. From gate passes to tow-truck licenses, every auction has its own must-have requirements.

Making Pickup Smooth

Here’s the good news: once you know the rules, removal doesn’t have to be stressful. Pay promptly, line up transport during the free storage window, and make sure your driver has the right documents in hand.

If you’re sourcing vehicles across multiple auction types, this can feel like a lot to keep track of. That’s why Auto Hauler Exchange maintains a directory of the top auto auctions across the U.S., with removal procedures, fees, and requirements listed in one place. Use it before you bid, and you’ll save yourself time, money, and headaches.

By understanding how different auctions operate whether it’s Copart, a city impound, or a local tow yard, you can make pickup smooth every time.

And with AHX, our marketplace connects you directly with vetted carriers ready to move your purchase at true market rates.

That’s how you turn an auction win into retail success.