Carpool rules

These Carpool rules explain, in plain language, how to use ShareSpace Carpool safely and fairly. They are part of the Terms of Service. If you break them, we may remove content, limit your account or close it.

1. Cost sharing, not profit

• ShareSpace is for sharing the real cost of a trip you are already making. It is not a way to earn money from driving.
• The driver receives the cost share and is never charged our fee. The rider pays our service fee for running the platform. ShareSpace is a company, not a charity, and the fee covers our operating costs.
• Drivers bear their own share of the trip costs. Do not make trips just to carry riders.

2. The price cap

• The price per seat is capped at the published reimbursement rate (in the United States, the IRS standard mileage rate) multiplied by the distance and divided by the number of seats offered.
• The app will not let you publish a price above the cap. Do not try to get round it, for example by asking for extra cash, tips or other payments outside the app.
• Where riders pay the driver directly (outside the United States, and the cash option in the US), ask only for the amount shown in the app.

3. No commercial use

• Do not use ShareSpace for taxi, ride-hailing, shuttle, tour, delivery or any other business use, or to carry passengers for hire or reward.
• Do not offer more rides than you could reasonably be making yourself. Accounts that look like full-time driving may be limited or closed.

4. Licence, vehicle and insurance

• Drivers must hold a valid driver's licence, a registered, roadworthy vehicle and valid insurance. Check with your insurer that carpooling on a cost-sharing basis is covered.
• Do not carry more people than the vehicle has seats and seat belts for.
• ShareSpace does not insure your trip. Riders should check their own cover.

5. Safety

• Check the driver, vehicle and plate match the booking before you get in. Share your trip with someone you trust.
• Drivers: drive legally and safely, sober and rested, with no handheld phone use. Riders: wear your seat belt and respect the driver's reasonable safety rules.
• If something feels wrong, leave or end the trip when it is safe to do so. In an emergency call 911 (United States and Canada) or 112 (India).

6. Respectful conduct

• Treat others with respect. No discrimination, harassment, threats, violence, unwanted sexual or romantic advances, or hate speech.
• No alcohol or drug use by the driver, and no illegal items in the vehicle.
• Be honest in your profile, ratings, chat and ride details. No fake accounts or impersonation. Keep chat about the trip.
• Respect other people's privacy. Do not share another person's details or photos without permission.

7. Cancellations and no-shows

• Cancel as early as you can. Refunds follow the policy shown in the app when you book or cancel.
• For rides with shared pricing, bookings cannot be cancelled in the last hour before departure.
• Drivers: if you must cancel, do it in the app straight away. Riders: be at the pickup on time and tell the driver if you are late.
• Repeated cancellations or no-shows can lead to limits on your account.

8. Reporting a problem

• Use the report option in the app, or email support@sharespacecarpool.com. Give the date, the people and what happened.
• We review reports, may remove content or suspend accounts while we look into them, and may share information with the authorities where the law allows or requires. We cannot promise an outcome in every case.
• If you are in danger, call the emergency number first.