How to Get PCS Military Auto Transport For POV With Reimbursements?

Getting military auto transport for your POV is mostly done when you’re getting a permanent change of station, and the government typically reimburses some of the cost based on their set rates per mile. But how do you perform the military vehicle shipping and get reimbursement?

What forms do you need to sign? Do you get reimbursed when using auto transport companies for third-party shipping solutions? How much do you pay out of pocket if you decide to take the DIY route? That’s all we’re going to discuss in this guide, so keep reading.

Is It Possible to Get Free Military Auto Transport in The US and Abroad?

Yes, but not entirely. As an active-duty service member, if you’re authorized to travel by a POV for Temporary Duty (TDY) or Permanent Change of Station (PCS), you can take advantage of the mileage allowance in lieu of reimbursement of the actual POV operating expense.

This benefit is provided by the US Department of Defense (DoD) during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move, both within the United States (CONUS) and overseas (OCONUS). This valuable perk ensures your vehicle (POV) gets safely transported so you can focus on the other aspects of your PCS relocation.

If you prefer to drive your POV to your new duty station, you can claim mileage reimbursement through the Personally Procured Move (PPM) program.

Alternatively, you can choose to have your vehicle shipped by a third-party military auto transport company, and the DoD may or may not reimburse you for the miles.

It’s important to note that the number of POV moves you can get reimbursed for is limited. You are entitled to 2 POV CONUS PCS moves, while for OCONUS PCS moves, you can get 1 POV move covered by the DoD. This is a key factor to consider when planning your PCS relocation and ensuring your transportation needs are met. Remember, we are discussing POVS here, not military vehicles like LUVs.

How Much Will You Pay Out Of Pocket When Shipping POV?

If you’re entitled to the POV shipping reimbursement rates, you can get a good chunk of the transportation cost back from the government. It’s up to you to either drive the vehicle or use the government’s transport system. Here’s an example scenario of you going the DIY route:

• Distance: Fort Bragg, NC to JBLM, WA = 2,910 miles
• Estimated fuel cost: $400 for 2,910 miles
• Lodging for 4 nights: $400 (motel plus food)
• Wear and Tear on Your POV: $0.125 per mile (0.125x2910 = $363)

Seeing the total cost of $1,163 on driving the vehicle on your own, you can go for third-party Military auto transport companies like Easy Auto Ship.

You may get a similar cost to shipping the car between $1,200 and $1,400. We also offer up to a 10% discount for military car shipping solutions. You can also ask for reimbursement for your PPM (Personally Procured Move) at the current rate of $0.21/mile as of Jan 2024.

You will get $611 back, meaning your out-of-pocket expense is just $589 to $789.

Eligibility Criteria For Military PCS Vehicle Shipping:

To be eligible for your privately owned car shipping at the government’s expense domestically or overseas, you will need to provide the following:

• Valid military orders showing overseas assignment
• Photo ID matching the name on the orders
• Vehicle title and registration in your name
• To speed up the process, print and fill out the IAL Shipping Instruction Form and bring it with you when dropping off the vehicle.
• If applicable, a lienholder authorization letter or lease agreement letter
• If an agent is appointed to deliver the vehicle, you must provide a signed and notarized power of attorney. Spouses listed on orders do not need this.
• Provide contact information, including a valid email, notification address (no PO boxes if shipping to the US), and emergency contact.
• Specific documentation is mandatory if there is a vehicle loan or lease. In that case, authorization from the lienholder/lessor permitting export is necessary.
• Only a vehicle of up to 20 Metric Tons can be shipped at the government’s expense. If you’re shipping a large mobile home, make sure to measure its weight carefully.

Properly completing the shipping instruction form with all vehicle and sender details helps expedite the process.

How to Get Military Car Shipping & Mile Reimbursement? Step-By-Step:

Getting a free PCS car transport service is not entirely possible, especially for long-distance shipping. However, you are entitled to reimbursements for the miles vehicles moved based on the rate set by the government. Here’s the PCS process for your POV and getting reimbursement as well:

Step 1: Receive Your PCS Orders

• Obtain your Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders from your command
• Review the orders carefully to understand your entitlements and restrictions
• Research the new base you’re assigned to on this Military Installations website.
• Talk to your Transportation Office Counselors and also contact the Relocation Assistance Program to learn about the process, entitlements, and restrictions.
• Go through PCS and military moves resources to ensure you’re fully informed of the processes and their complexities.

Step 2: Determine Your Shipping Method

Choose between:

• Personally Procured Move (PPM)
• Household Goods (HHG) shipment
• Combination of both (PPM for POV and HHG for rest of belongings)

Step 3: For PPM: Plan Your Move

• Calculate the distance between duty stations
• Estimate fuel costs and any lodging expenses
• Decide if you’ll drive yourself or use a third-party auto transport company

Step 4: For PPM: Get Multiple Quotes

• Research reputable auto transport companies specializing in military moves
• Obtain at least 3 quotes for comparison
• Verify the company’s DOT number and insurance

Step 5: Decide Your Move:

For PPM: Book Your Shipment

• Choose your preferred company and book the shipment
• Pay the required small deposit fee (never pay the full amount)
• Get all details in writing, including pickup and delivery dates

For HHG: Schedule with the Transportation Office

• Visit your base Transportation Management Office (TMO)
• Schedule your move with the government-contracted moving company
• Attend any required briefings on the HHG process

Step 7: Prepare Your Vehicle

For both PPM and HHG:

• Clean your vehicle thoroughly
• Remove all personal items
• Disable alarms
• Remove parking passes or toll tags
• Document the vehicle’s condition with photos
• Ensure no more than 1/4 tank of gas

Step 8: Complete Necessary Paperwork

• Fill out all required forms for your shipment method
• For PPM, obtain a DA Form 2278 or a similar service-specific form
• A common Operating Personal Expense file
• DD 1351-2 Travel Voucher
• Paid rental agreement
• PCS travel orders
• Certified tare/empty weight ticket and fill/gross weight ticket
• Keep copies of all paperwork, receipts, and weight tickets
• Get your form or documents signed by your unit commander

Step 9: Execute the Move

• For PPM: Meet the auto transport driver for vehicle pickup or begin your drive.
• For HHG: Be present for pickup by the moving company
• Keep all documentation safe during your move

Step 10: Receive Your Vehicle

• Inspect your vehicle thoroughly upon delivery
• You may also need to drop the vehicle at the Vehicle Processing Center for a thorough inspection
• Document any damages immediately
• Sign the bill of lading only after a careful inspection

Step 11: File for Reimbursement (PPM)

• Submit all documentation to your new duty station’s transportation office
• Include weight tickets, receipts, and completed forms
• Be prepared to wait a few weeks for the processing

Step 12: Follow Up on Reimbursement

• Check the status of your claim regularly
• You may also need to provide some additional documentation if requested
• Understand that reimbursement may be based on government rates, not your actual expenses

Remember, the car shipping companies you work with to move your PCS vehicle will provide you with a detailed final quote with miles traveled written on it. You can send that receipt with your reimbursement documents to solidify your chances of getting PCS vehicle transport reimbursement for as many miles as possible.

Should You Even Bring Your POV Along For PCS? (graph)

The probability of you staying at your new station is quite high, 80% to be exact, as per the report published by the United States General Accounting Office. The Department of Defence took a sample of 99,000 active-duty military personnel and asked several questions, including their PCS moves. The results were:

• 20% of personnel had an average tour length of only 1 year or less between moves.
• 29% had 1-2 years of tour length.
• 29% had 2-3 years of PCS tour length.
• 13% had 3-4 years of tour length.
• 9% had 4 years of PCS tour length.

In total, 80% of the 99,000 uniformed military personnel had over 1 year of tour length, with the majority, over 50%, having 1-3 years of PCS tour length.

But that’s not it. In the same report, active duty personnel were asked about some of the issues they faced during their tour. Here are some answers:

• 28% of active duty personnel faced loss of spouse’s income (maybe because the spouse had a job at home they left to move)
• 27% were concerned with the changes in the cost of living (which can happen on both CONUS and OCONUS as the cost of living changes with the state in the US and the country outside of it)
• 26% were waiting for housing
• 24% were having issues with their spouse’s employment (again, an economic concern as in the modern era with increasing inflation, it takes two paychecks to maintain a good lifestyle).

These numbers alone are enough for you to make a decision. The length of your stay will likely not be under a year. Would you be comfortable using and spending money on public transport during this time? Isn’t it more rational to bring your POV with you? If you think so, call Easy Auto Ship at (888) 687-3243 to transport your POV at affordable and discounted rates.

Based on economic concerns, it’s evident that adding another expense of public transport will only increase your cost of living. It’s wiser to take your POV with you when the government itself is paying for a portion of it and enjoy a cheap commute in the comfort of your own vehicle.

Common Military Vehicle Transport Jargon You Should Know:

When doing privately owned vehicle shipping as a military member, you will encounter many technical terms you may not have heard before. And even if you have, you don’t hire military vehicle shipping companies every day to move your POV, so the meanings of this jargon may have slipped your mind. So here’s some terms you should know about:

• POV = Privately Owned Vehicle
• PCS = Permanent Change of Station
• PDS = Permanent Duty Station
• CONUS = Continental United States
• OCONUS = Outside Continental United States
• TO = Transportation Office
• TDY = Temporary Duty
• DITY = Do-It-Yourself Move (now officially called a PPM)
• PPM = Personally Procured Move (formerly known as DITY)
• TMO = Traffic Management Office (similar to TO)
• HHG = Household Goods
• ETS = Expiration Term of Service
• TAD = Temporary Additional Duty (Navy and Marine Corps equivalent of TDY)
• TLA = Temporary Lodging Allowance
• TLE = Temporary Lodging Expense
• DLA = Dislocation Allowance
• MALT = Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation
• VPC = Vehicle Processing Center
• GBL = Government Bill of Lading

Knowing these terms when getting military vehicle shipping solutions will help you better understand the reimbursement regulations and any technical requirements for privately owned vehicle transport services.

Call Easy Auto Ship For Military Car Shipping Solutions at Discounted Rates:

There are several POV shipping solutions providers online claiming to be the best military car shipping companies. It’s one thing to move a vehicle from one place to another, and it’s another to do it while understanding the requirements of PCS moves. Government regulations and the challenges of military shipping solutions should not be taken lightly.

Car shipping companies like Easy Auto Ship have been offering military car shipping solutions for nearly a decade, so we know how to handle the general and specific requirements of military soldiers and their family members’ moving POVs.

If you decide to hire a third-party car shipping service, call (888) 687-3243, talk to one of our expert reps, and get discounted military car shipping solutions.