How To Get Your Car PCS-Ready: A Military Service Guide

Preparing for a military move with a vehicle comes with a few extra steps than a regular military move. But before you start looking to sell or trade in your favorite ride, rest assured, there’s a way to take care of your car and your PCS requirements at the same time.

If the upkeep of your vehicle while moving from one duty station to another seems overwhelming, follow our guide to take the guesswork out of the process.

Once you receive official military orders, it’s time to decide what to do with your personal vehicle (POV). Some duty stations allow personal vehicles, mostly within the continental US, though Alaska and Hawaii are also fairly easy to get around with your own vehicle. However, duty stations overseas may restrict the use of personal vehicles.

One of the first decisions you need to make with your car is how to get it to your new location. Read through your military orders closely to see your PCS entitlements for moving expenses. Sometimes, the military will pay to ship your vehicle from one duty station to the next. Other times, that’s not included in your orders. In that case, you’ll need to either sell your vehicle or pay to have it stored.

Many military members recommend reading your orders very closely when you first receive them and before making any arrangements for your household goods, vehicle, or other moving expenses. If it’s not listed in your orders as an authorized expense, it will eventually be denied when you try to submit it for reimbursement. It’s better to know these things before spending a lot of money out of pocket.

If the military will pay to ship your vehicle to your new duty station, you’ll have to follow specific regulations to get it ready, drop it off, and pick it up. To ship your car, you’ll need to complete DD FORM 788 (or the equivalent for a van or motorcycle). This is typically done at the shipping terminal by the receiving official who verifies the condition. Look through it before you go, however, to get an idea of what they look for and what documentation you need to bring.

Most of the time, military members are not provided personal vehicles to use, no matter where they are stationed. The exception is when you are in a duty station that requires travel for official purposes. You may have access to a vehicle to use, but it comes with restrictions on how, when, and where it can be driven. These vehicles are not for recreation or entertainment but are instead used to transport military personnel on military business.

If you are unable to bring your personal vehicle, but the expectation is that you drive to and from work from your housing, like with vehicle shipments, this expense is outlined in your military orders. A rental vehicle covered under your military orders is most common for temporary assignments, such as school or training, in between duty stations. In this case, you may have already shipped your personal vehicle to your permanent station, but you will still need a way to get around your temporary station

For those whose rental car won’t be covered under their military orders, look for a company that offers a military discount. You don’t need to use the vehicle in an official military capacity or have the military pay for or authorize it to get discounts. This differs from the government rate for a rental vehicle, which is only authorized for official military travel.

A few car rental companies that work with military members or provide discounts include:

• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Enterprise
• Hertz
• National

If you have USAA insurance, talk to your representative about getting additional discounts on coverage or using their partnerships with car rental companies to get better rates.

Whether you drive your personal vehicle to your new duty station, have it shipped, or store it, car maintenance is an important consideration. You likely won’t have access to your normal body shop or mechanic during the moving process, but don’t worry, we’ll cover the ins and outs of keeping your car in tiptop shape, even during a military move.

One of the best ways to manage vehicle maintenance during a PCS move is to get it out of the way before the move even starts. Take your car to a certified mechanic for a pre-move inspection, which might even be a requirement for the shipping company.

Hang onto any paperwork showing the condition of the car, including the exterior, interior, and mechanical components. You can even take pictures to have clear documentation of the car’s condition at the start of your move. Some things to inspect include:

• Tire pressure
• Tire treads
• Oil level
• Coolant level
• Brake fluid
• Windshield wiper fluid
• Brake pads
• Wiper blades
• Headlights
• Brake lights

Before your PCS, make sure that you are up-to-date on routine maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, and topping off fluids. This is especially important if you drive the car long distances to your new home. Even if your car sits in storage, it’s best to take care of these maintenance items beforehand. The last thing that you want to do when you pick up your car is to repair preventable issues.

Take care of your routine oil changes before you start your PCS. It’s also a good idea to top off your fluids and get new windshield wipers. If your brake pads and belts are worn, consider changing them. Some people even use this opportunity to get new tires.

If your car is due for inspections, including safety, emissions, or registration, take care of these before you PCS. It can be challenging to do so once you move to your new duty station, especially if you haven’t finished updating your address. Some vehicle carriers will not accept your vehicle if the registration or inspections will expire during the move.

At the start of your PCS, talk to your insurance provider about what needs to change on your policy based on your circumstances. If you’ll still be driving your vehicle at your new duty station, this likely means updating the location on your policy and potentially changing the expected mileage. If your car is in storage, you might be able to reduce your coverage since it will not be driven. The key is to talk to your insurance provider early enough to make these changes before they are required.

During your move, make sure you have access to all insurance documentation and information, including your provider’s phone numbers or contact information. If this information is packed away with your household goods shipment, it won’t help you with issues during the move. If the military covers your vehicle shipment or you ship it with a third-party company, you might also need to provide this documentation before they accept the vehicle for transport.

An emergency kit is key, especially if you drive your vehicle to your new duty station. This is good practice, no matter where you drive, but for those driving long distances, it becomes even more important. Your emergency kit should include:

• Jumper cables
• Spare tire
• Tire-changing tools
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra water
• Extra blankets
• Cell phone charger
• Battery backup for a cell phone

Before making any plans or reservations regarding your personal vehicle, whether it’s arranging transportation or finding a place for long-term storage, you must read your military orders to know what you are entitled to and what you will be reimbursed for during your move process. If an expense is not authorized in your orders, you may not be reimbursed for the cost and will have to cover it out of pocket.

When reading your orders, check:

• the number of vehicles authorized to move
• the required documentation
• the required inspections
• where to ship your vehicle

There are usually a limited number of approved transit methods or shipping ports, especially if you move overseas.

If you plan to ship your vehicle to your new location, the process involves extra steps. Most shipping companies only accept vehicles in clean condition and with all required maintenance already performed. If you show up at the shipping terminal and your car is dirty or has a lot of extra debris and items inside, they will likely turn it away. This can cause problems, especially if you plan on shipping your vehicle right before you move.

Before taking your vehicle to the transportation terminal, ensure you:

• Thoroughly clean the inside and outside of your vehicle
• Remove any car seats, booster seats, etc.
• Check for leaks
• Disable tags
• Have an approved amount of gas (typically a quarter tank)
• Photograph your vehicle inside and out to document its condition
• Include keys and registration paperwork
• Make copies of all paperwork

One of the best ways to prepare for a PCS with a personal vehicle is to keep it in the best shape possible today. This way, whether you have a long time to prepare for a move or you are on short-notice orders, your car will be ready to go. Use our PCS toolkit to make the process smoother for your entire family.