Driver and Rider Responsibilities in a Carpool

A carpool is a small agreement between people who happen to be heading the same way. ShareSpace Carpool provides the app, but it does not own the vehicles or employ the drivers, so the trip itself rests on the people in the car. Drivers and riders are responsible to each other. When both sides understand what that means, rides run smoothly and small problems stay small. This guide sets out the main responsibilities for each side and what to do when something goes wrong.

The idea behind shared responsibility

In a carpool, the driver is making their own journey and has agreed to share the car and its cost. The riders have agreed to join it. Nobody is a customer of a taxi company and nobody is an employee. That is why courtesy and clarity matter so much: there is no dispatcher in the car. The price is capped to the shared cost of the trip and nobody is meant to profit, so the focus stays on a fair, comfortable journey for everyone.

What drivers are responsible for

A valid licence. Drivers must hold a valid driving licence for the vehicle they drive and the place they drive in.
Insurance. Drivers must hold insurance as required where they drive. ShareSpace does not provide insurance for your trip. Ask your insurer how carpooling and shared costs fit your policy, since policies differ.
A roadworthy car. Keep the vehicle maintained, with working brakes, tyres, lights and seat belts. Keep the details on your profile accurate so riders can recognise the car.
Safe driving. Obey the law, avoid distractions and do not drive when tired or impaired. Never let a passenger pressure you to drive unsafely.
An honest ride. Publish the real route, time and number of seats, and tell riders in the chat if anything changes.
A fair price. Keep within the cost-sharing cap. The app shows the limit, and you can always ask for less.

What riders are responsible for

Being ready and on time. Be at the pickup point at the agreed time, and message the driver early if you are running late.
Seat belts. Wear one for the whole trip. It is a basic safety habit and, in many places, a legal requirement.
Respect. Treat the driver and any other riders politely. Keep music, calls and conversation at a level everyone is comfortable with, and take your rubbish with you.
Checking the details. Before you get in, check that the car and the driver match the ride in the app, and share the ride start code only with the right driver.
Paying what you agreed. The total, including the service fee and any tax, is shown above the Confirm button. If you pay the driver in cash, only the service fee is paid in the app.
Looking after yourself. Tell someone you trust about your plans and trust your instincts. Our carpool safety checklist has more ideas.

Payment: what to expect

The driver receives the cost share. ShareSpace charges the rider a service fee, plus any tax on that fee, for operating the platform. Riders can pay with a wallet, card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, or hand cash to the driver. Because the price is capped to the shared cost of the trip, drivers should think of what they receive as reimbursement for part of a journey they were making anyway. For the details, see how to pay for a carpool ride.

Cancellations and changes

Plans change, and that is normal. What matters is how you handle it.

Riders: cancel as early as you can from My Rides and send the driver a short message, so they can offer the seat to someone else. A ride that has already started cannot be cancelled.
Drivers: if you can no longer make a trip, tell your riders at once and update or remove the ride. A rider who is left waiting at the roadside has had a poor experience, and it is easily avoided.
Everyone: if a ride is going to be late, say so in the in-app chat. Keep a backup plan, such as transit or a friend, for days a carpool falls through.

Respect, privacy and boundaries

You do not need to share your phone number to arrange a ride, because the in-app chat is there for pickup details. Keep conversations in the app, respect people's wish for quiet or for conversation, and do not share anyone's personal details or location without their permission. Our guide to carpool etiquette covers the everyday manners in more depth.

How it works and what it is not

ShareSpace Carpool is a cost-sharing platform for people who are already making a trip. It is not a taxi or ride-hailing service, it owns no vehicles and it employs no drivers. The driver's price is capped and nobody profits from the trip. A verified badge shows that a member has completed the verification steps in the app, but it is not a guarantee of how anyone will behave, and no feature removes all risk. Everyone should check the local rules where they travel.

Reporting a problem

If something goes wrong, act in proportion to the situation.

If you are in danger, call the emergency number for your area. In the United States that is 911, and the Safety sheet on a booked ride can help you call it or send your trip details to trusted contacts.
If you feel uncomfortable but are not in danger, end the trip at a safe, public place and leave a factual rating afterwards.
For anything else, such as a payment problem, a lost item or behaviour that worried you, contact support at support@sharespacecarpool.com with the route and date so we can look into it.

Frequently asked questions

Does ShareSpace insure drivers or riders?

No. Drivers must hold a valid licence and their own insurance. Ask your insurer how carpooling fits your policy.

Who is responsible if something goes wrong on a trip?

The trip is an arrangement between the driver and the riders, who are responsible to each other. ShareSpace is a platform and does not operate the vehicles or employ the drivers.

Do I have to wear a seat belt?

Riders should wear one at all times. In many places it is also the law.

What if my driver or rider does not show up?

Message them in the app, wait a short, reasonable time, and then make your backup plan. Leave a factual rating afterwards.

Can a driver ask for more than the cost-sharing cap?

No. The app shows the limit and keeps the price within it.

Try it on ShareSpace

New to carpooling? Start with what carpool cost sharing is, then find or offer a ride in the ShareSpace Carpool app. This post is general information and not legal or insurance advice.