The situation never getting worse as you being in contact with the car transporter when you are shipping your car, it could be a long-distance move, an auto purchase or a relocation, and you get the driver’s contact details in hand allows making a call to the driver or sending a text message during the whole process. The reasons you may want to contact the driver might be to verify that your vehicle is progressing, to request that the driver you counted on give you an estimated time of arrival, or even to update the driver with some changes in your itinerary. But the question is, how do you get in touch with the driver during the transit?
In this manual, we are going to share the information pertaining to locating a driver during the process of a car shipping, what means are usually used and how st Car Shipping keeps you in touch at all times without any hassle during the whole shipping process.
How do you reach the driver during transit?
Usually, a shipping company may act as an intermediary for the communication between you and the driver. Besides, knowing how to contact the driver is a good idea and in most instances, contact should be made if the driver is known to be free. In brief, here are some of the most frequent ways of contacting the driver during transit:
Through the Shipping Company
The easiest way in transit to interact with the driver directly is through the shipping company of the car. Most reliable firms, for instance auto Car Shipping, has the changes to give the customer updated data and the contact details of the driver anytime necessary.
Some of the ways to get in touch with the driver through the shipping company are the following:
- Customer Service Team: Should you be in a situation whereby you urgently need to reach the driver; you may consider getting in touch with the shipping company’s customer service team. It is upon them to either deliver your message to the driver or give you the driver’s contact information.
- Tracking Information: Several companies, such as st Car Shipping, provide a vehicle-tracking service that is accessible online by the users. The tracking system used should be the one that would enable the user to contact the driver or the carrier directly, or it would simply inform the user about the vehicle	s location in real-time.
- Notifications and Alerts: During the transport of a vehicle, the owner may be sent automated notifications and updates. The updates may consist of estimated delivery times, schedule changes, and, on some occasions, direct communication with the driver if a short stop is required.
Direct Communication with the Driver
Some transport companies take it one step further by not only giving you the driver’s contact details, but also allowing you to communicate with the driver directly. st Car Shipping is such a company. The usual procedure is as follows:
- Driver’s Phone Number: Usually the transport company will give the driver’s contact details and name to the customer either a few days before the scheduled pickup or when the transport is already in progress. This is to make it easier for the driver to be contacted in case the client has any specific concerns or they want to change the pickup location.
- Email Communication: The company may give the driver’s email address or a company-provided communication platform for the client to be able to reach the driver. This is mostly for less urgent inquiries.
- Text Updates: If the driver’s phone number is shared, you may also message the driver via text which can be a more convenient way to reach out during transit.
When Should You Contact the Driver?
Knowing the right time to call the driver during the transit is a very good thing. Shipping companies are normally trying to minimize the number of calls from customers and hence the driver is expected to concentrate on the safe delivery of your vehicle. Still, there are few moments only when it is allowed to contact the driver:
- For Updates on ETA: If you are already close to the delivery spot and want to have an idea of when the driver will reach the point of delivery, then it is best to call the driver for confirmation. Besides giving you the ETA, they can also make a different delivery time if necessary.
- If There Are Changes to Your Availability: If for some reason you were originally to meet the driver at the delivery point but your availability changed then it is very important to let them know as soon as possible so that you can avert any inconvenience or delay.
- For Directions or Clarifications: If you want to give the extra instructions that show change of delivery location or just a special request for the way the car is being unloaded then by making the driver contact directly you are ensuring that there is no misinterpretation.
Although it is good to have communication, remember that the driver’s main job is to drive safely, thus try to keep communication short and to the point.
How to Make Communication with the Driver as Easy as Possible
When you talk to the driver and want to avoid confusion or delays, use these tips that will make your communication more effective during transit:
Be Clear and Concise
Once you decide to talk with the driver whether via phone, text message or email, using short and clear sentences is essential as is being brief on your request. Mention all the details in your first text or call, such as your name and vehicle (brand, model, and color), the request specifically (example: ETA, rest change), your availability or how you can be reached.
The straightforward message that the driver gets allows the driver to figure out more accurately what is wanted and answer accordingly.
Set Expectations
Let the driver know what you expect out of the situation beforehand. If, for instance, you wanted to change the pick-up or delivery time, then informing the driver should be your first step, and it ought to be done a long time ahead. On the other hand, if you are packed with many questions about the delivery of your vehicle or the place at which it will be left, do not hesitate to ask for clarifications.
Taking the time to set expectations will be the perfect way to eliminate the possibility of getting confused and seeing everything going as per the plan.
Use the Shipping Company’s Communication Channels
The communication channels of the shipping company are at your disposal if a direct contact with the driver is not what you prefer, or if you simply cannot get hold of the driver. At st Car Shipping, our customer service team is the perfect bridge between you and the driver. We will notify you of any inconveniences or delays in a timely manner so that you will not have to contact the driver individually.
What to Do If You Can’t Reach the Driver?
There may be circumstances where contact with a driver is impossible when they are on the way. The driver being in an area with poor reception or focusing on the road are some of the reasons for this. The following is what you should do if the driver can	t be contacted:
Contact the Shipping Company
The first thing to do is to contact the shipping company. A st Car Shipping customer service team is always available to solve communication problems that may arise in our line of work. We can offer assistance in locating the driver, or we can give you a shipment update.
Use Tracking Features
In case the company has a tracking system, use it to find out where and what the status of your car is. Most tracking systems allow you to monitor the progress of the shipment and may even include alerts or updates about delays or issues.
Delays in communication incidents are sometimes caused by the peculiarities of long-distance travel. In such cases, you should try to contact him again after waiting for a while. The time when the driver will be in contact with you is mostly when he is available or when he has reached a safe place
Communication Without Hiccups While Car Shipping
It is very important to know the driver’s contact details during the car shipment process. In fact, if you want a brief pickup of the vehicle, wish to re-route the delivery, or simply want to assure the delivery time, then an open line of communication is your best bet.
At 1st Car Shipping, we not only keep you in touch with your driver, but also provide a certain line of communication along with the real-time updates of the whole process. In case of any trouble, our customer service team is always on their toes and ready to give you the assistance you need.
