Before You Begin

Before you start ridesharing on a regular basis, have a conversation to get clear on some basic rules and guidelines. The most important question to settle early: will one person do all the driving and collect money from the riders, or will you rotate driving duties without cash changing hands?

Other questions worth discussing include:

• How often will you rideshare?
• Where and when are the pick-ups, and how long is the maximum wait time for latecomers? (5–10 minutes is common.)
• What are everyone's preferences around music, food, smoking, and conversation during the trip?
• How will you handle schedule changes or unexpected cancellations?

Establish Clear Rules

Agreeing on a few ground rules helps prevent misunderstandings later. Consider writing them down or sending a group message so everyone is on the same page.

• Driving rotation: If you alternate drivers, decide on a fair schedule — weekly swaps, daily turns, or another pattern that works for the group.
• Pick-up times and locations: Choose consistent spots and times. Agree on a maximum wait before the driver leaves.
• Cost sharing: If one person drives, agree on a contribution amount that reflects fuel and vehicle wear. The Canadian Automobile Association publishes driving-cost data that can serve as a reference.

Plan for Emergencies

Life doesn't always go according to plan. Build some flexibility into your arrangement:

• Share emergency contact information with each other.
• Have a backup plan if the regular driver is unavailable — know the regional transit options or have a secondary carpool contact.
• Drivers should keep their vehicles well-maintained and carry proper insurance.