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Vehicle Transport Policy
Last updated: April 1, 2026 · Effective: April 1, 2026
This policy covers car and motorcycle transportation services across India. Vehicle transport has its own rules separate from household goods because of RTO requirements, insurance, and the unique handling needs of vehicles.
1. Service types
1.1 Open carrier
Vehicles transported on multi-vehicle open carriers (typically 6–8 vehicles per carrier). Most cost-effective option for standard cars and bikes. Suitable for non-luxury vehicles where exposure to weather and road dust is acceptable.
1.2 Enclosed carrier
Single-vehicle or double-vehicle covered carriers. Protected from weather, dust, road debris. Recommended for luxury cars, classic vehicles, sports bikes, or any vehicle where surface protection is critical.
1.3 Bike transport (motorcycle)
Motorcycles are transported in covered trucks with custom wooden crating. Each bike has its own crate; multiple crates per truck. Open carriers not used for bikes.
2. Documents required
Before we accept your vehicle for transport, you must provide:
- Original Registration Certificate (RC) — we'll verify and return; for the journey, a Gati-certified photocopy + your written authorisation accompanies the vehicle
- Valid insurance papers — your existing insurance must remain valid throughout transit (we add transit insurance on top)
- Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate — required for interstate transport
- Driving licence copy of the registered owner
- Address proof of pickup and delivery locations
- Authorisation letter if the vehicle is registered in someone else's name
- NOC from RTO for interstate transport (we help arrange this)
3. Pre-loading inspection
Before your vehicle is loaded, our team performs a comprehensive inspection:
- Walk-around with you (or your representative)
- Photo documentation: 12+ photos covering all sides, wheels, interior, dashboard, odometer reading
- Notation of any existing damage on a Vehicle Condition Report (VCR)
- Recording of fuel level (we ask for ¼ tank or less)
- Test of horn, indicators, basic electricals
- Both parties sign the VCR before loading
You receive a copy of the VCR via email and a printed copy. This is your reference document for any post-delivery damage claims.
4. Vehicle preparation requirements
Your vehicle must be prepared as follows before our crew arrives:
4.1 For cars
- Fuel level: ¼ tank or less (DOT regulations; we don't drain fuel)
- Battery: connected and functional
- No personal items inside (loose items damage interior in transit)
- Disable car alarms or share disable code
- Antennas retracted
- External accessories (roof racks, spoilers) secured or removed
- Tyres inflated to standard pressure
4.2 For motorcycles
- Fuel drained completely (we drain on-site for ₹150 fee, or you can drain it before)
- Battery disconnected (we do this on-site at no charge)
- Personal items removed
- Helmets and accessories carried separately
- Mirrors retracted or removed
- Centre stand engaged for stability during crating
5. Transit times
Indicative transit times for vehicle transport. Actual times depend on demand, route conditions, and load consolidation:
| Route | Distance | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
| Mumbai → Pune | ~150 km | 1 day | 1 day |
| Mumbai → Bangalore | ~980 km | 3–4 days | 3–4 days |
| Delhi → Mumbai | ~1,400 km | 4–5 days | 4–5 days |
| Bangalore → Hyderabad | ~570 km | 1–2 days | 1–2 days |
| Mumbai → Kolkata | ~2,000 km | 5–6 days | 5–6 days |
| Delhi → Bangalore | ~2,150 km | 5–6 days | 6–7 days |
| Pan-India (longest routes) | 2,500+ km | 7–10 days | 8–12 days |
Enclosed-carrier times are slightly longer because the carriers are dedicated and don't aggregate as efficiently.
6. Tracking
Every Gati vehicle transport includes:
- Live GPS tracking link (shareable with family)
- Daily SMS updates with current location
- Direct contact details for the driver
- 24/7 customer support hotline
- Estimated arrival window updated in real-time
7. Delivery and post-loading inspection
At delivery:
- Driver contacts you 1–2 hours before arrival
- Vehicle unloaded carefully — we don't drive your vehicle except to load/unload
- Walk-around inspection with you, comparing to pre-loading VCR
- Photo documentation of post-delivery condition
- Both parties sign the Delivery Acknowledgment Form (DAF)
- Any concerns must be noted on the DAF before signing
Once you sign without notation, the vehicle is considered delivered as-is. Photos take less than 5 minutes — we strongly recommend a thorough inspection.
8. Damage claims for vehicle transport
If you discover damage that wasn't on the pre-loading VCR:
8.1 At delivery (most damage is detectable here)
- Note it on the Delivery Acknowledgment Form before signing
- Take photos with the carrier truck visible in the background
- Email enquiry@gati.com.in within 24 hours with all photos
8.2 Within 24 hours of delivery
Some damage (e.g. mechanical issues from rough transit) may not be visible at delivery. You have 24 hours to report:
- Don't drive the vehicle until inspection (drive could mask the cause)
- Photograph the issue clearly
- Get the vehicle to an authorised service centre for diagnostic
- Email claims with the service centre's report
Damage reported beyond 24 hours requires substantial proof that the issue existed at delivery and wasn't caused by subsequent driving.
8.3 Claim coverage
- Open carrier: ₹3,00,000 maximum coverage per vehicle
- Enclosed carrier: ₹10,00,000 maximum coverage per vehicle
- Per-incident deductible: ₹5,000 (you bear the first ₹5,000 of damage)
- Higher coverage: Available as add-on; ask at booking time
9. RTO and tax matters
Interstate vehicle transport involves RTO permits and possibly entry-tax forms in the destination state:
- We handle the e-way bill arrangement on your behalf at no additional cost
- State entry taxes (where applicable) are passed through to you at actuals
- If you're moving to a state where the vehicle's registration must change (e.g. Delhi to Bangalore for permanent residence), we don't handle re-registration; that's your responsibility post-delivery
- If you're moving the vehicle for short-term use (e.g. on lease, or temporarily), no re-registration needed
10. What's NOT covered
- Mechanical wear from normal driving — we transport vehicles by carrier, not by driving them
- Loss of personal items left inside the vehicle (we ask you to remove all personal items)
- Weather damage during open-carrier transport (this is a known risk; choose enclosed carrier if concerned)
- Pre-existing damage notated on the pre-loading VCR
- Battery drain during long transit (we can connect a trickle charger at extra cost)
- Tyre wear (vehicle does not run during transit, so this isn't usually an issue)
- Damage from acts of God beyond reasonable carrier control (lightning strike on the carrier, severe accident)
- Indirect/consequential damages (rental car costs while waiting for vehicle, lost business)
11. Special vehicle types
11.1 Luxury cars (₹50 lakh+)
Mandatory enclosed-carrier transport. Pre-shipment third-party inspection recommended. Higher insurance coverage available (up to ₹50 lakh on request).
11.2 Vintage/classic vehicles
Treated as luxury — enclosed carrier mandatory. Pre-loading inspection by a third-party valuer recommended for accurate insurance valuation.
11.3 Modified vehicles
Transport accepted if modifications are road-legal in both source and destination states. Heavily modified vehicles (e.g. dropped suspension, oversized tyres) may require special carriers — extra charges apply.
11.4 Non-running vehicles
We can transport non-running vehicles, but they require special loading equipment (winch, ramp). Additional ₹1,500–₹3,000 charge depending on size.
12. Contact
- 📞 +91-8274057237
- ✉️ For vehicle bookings: enquiry@gati.com.in
- ✉️ For claims: enquiry@gati.com.in
Related policies: Damage Policy · Cancellation Policy · Terms and Conditions