Successful ridesharing requires ground rules to be set and agreed upon by all members. To make your experience as smooth as possible, follow these tips:

Get acquainted.

Before making any commitments with a new rideshare partner, set up a face to face meeting to get acquainted and discuss your expectations. You will be able to determine if you are a good rideshare match and discuss your ridesharing arrangements.

Set ground rules.

What radio channel or type of music is acceptable? Is drinking or eating allowed? Is anyone allergic or sensitive to perfumes? You may decide to avoid talking about controversial issues by agreeing beforehand on what is permissible or not. Keep in mind some people may enjoy quiet time to read, work or unwind. Make it clear that the rideshare is for a single purpose - commuting to and from work. Unless all members agree, avoid side tracking and stopping for errands.

Routes and schedules.

Determine your route and schedule in advance. Establish the morning pick-up point(s). Try to choose a mutually convenient meeting place; pick up each person at home or meet in a central location. Designate a place(s) to meet for the trip home and stick to your schedule. Make sure everyone knows the schedule and is notified of any changes.

Be punctual.

Nobody likes to wait, so make an effort to be punctual. As a group, decide what a reasonable waiting time is - usually no more than 5 minutes.

Payment.

Decide on a method for reimbursing driving expenses. If all members do not share the driving equally, agree how the costs will be shared and agree on payment dates and methodes of payment. What exactly does the payment cover (gas, parking, insurance, etc)? If you are in a group, does every member pay the same amount or does the payment reflect the commuting distance?

Exchange contact information.

Make sure everyone has a list with each person's home and work phone numbers. Just in case, share emergency contact information before starting your rideshare.

Driving duties.

Decide who will drive on which days. Some rideshares rotate driving responsibilities, while others have a dedicated driver. If there are members who wish to alternate driving, decide if you want to switch on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

Drive safely.

Always drive carefully and respect speed limits. Make sure everyone buckles up! If you are not the driver, avoid “backseat driving”. Also, keep the vehicle clean and in good running condition.

Communication.

If a driver or passenger is ill, the car won’t start or other issues arise, notify others as soon as possible so other arrangements can be made. Establish a line of communication on who replaces the driver if he/she cannot drive.

Insurance.

Make sure your insurance provider covers you in case of an accident. Get acquainted with your policy to ensure that you are properly covered.

Give plenty of notice.

If you are going to leave your rideshare arrangement or will be on leave for an extended period of time, give ample notice so a replacement can be found. This way there’s no sudden increase in cost for those who remain in the rideshare.

Stick with it.

Starting a successful rideshare may take some time and a bit of tweaking. Some old habits are hard to break, so be patient. It may take a month or so before you can see how easy carpooling is and how much you truly are saving. Most people never realise how easy it is until they give it a try. If, despite your best efforts, it isn't working - try again with another rideshare.