Car sharing FAQ's

  1. Do I have to share everyday?
  2. What if I car share and have to leave work suddenly?
  3. What happens if I am the driver and am sick?
  4. I work shifts. Can I still share?
  5. I only have use of the car occasionally. Can I still share?
  6. What about sharing costs?
  7. What are the insurance implications of car sharing?
  8. How safe is it to use the University of Bristol Car Sharing Scheme?
  9. I’m a woman and would like to car share but would only want to share with another female. Is this possible?
  10. What happens if I find that car sharing doesn't suit me?

1. Do I have to share everyday?

No, the University of Bristol Car Sharing scheme enables you to choose the days that you want to share. 

2. What if I car share and have to leave work suddenly?

You need to advise your car share partner as soon as possible so they can make alternative arrangements.  The University offers a guaranteed ride home scheme in emergency / unforeseen circumstances only and this is available to all registered car-sharers. If you need to travel home and do not have your car available, Security Services (0117 92) 87848 will arrange for a taxi to take you home and will settle the account for you. Rules governing the Transport Plan apply. This is only applicable to formal University car sharing team members.

3. What happens if I am the driver and am sick?

You must contact your car share partner(s) as soon as possible so that they can make alternative arrangements. As a passenger it is also essential for you to let the driver know you are ill so that they know not to wait if you are not at your pick up point.

4. I work shifts. Can I still share?

Yes, car sharing is flexible. If you work irregular hours, you can use the University of Bristol Car Sharing Scheme to identify car share partners who work similar hours to you.

5. I only have use of the car occasionally. Can I still share?

Yes, the system will match you on appropriate days.

6. What about sharing costs?

There are various ways in which this can be done:

  1. On a reciprocal basis, where you drive one week and the next week your car share partner drives.
  2. Drivers and passengers split the cost of petrol and parking charges. Please note that drivers should not make a profit from car sharing as this can invalidate their insurance and tax. If you have any concerns please contact your insurance company direct.

7. What are the insurance implications of car sharing?

You must be fully insured and it is advisable to inform your insurance company that you are registered in a car share scheme. This should not incur additional costs. Most insurance policies cover you to carry passengers on your journey to work, as long as you don't charge your passengers more than the running costs of the vehicle.

The Association of British Insurers clearly states that car sharing won’t affect the insurance of their members so long as a profit isn’t made. ‘Giving Lifts - All ABI motor insurers have agreed that if your passengers contribute towards your running costs your insurance cover will not be affected, as long as lifts are given in a vehicle seating eight passengers or less. This agreement does not apply if you make a profit from payments received or if carrying passengers is your business’ (Source ABI website, 2005).

Drivers with any concerns should check with their insurance company as terms and conditions may vary between insurance providers over time.

8. How safe is it to use the University of Bristol Car Sharing Scheme?

All members’ details are stored securely in the database and works on the principle of anonymously brokering matches. The system will identify possible car share matches and then users will select which match(es) they would like to pursue. At this stage the system will forward the details of the possible match to the individual(s) concerned (via email). This puts the users in control of the information exchange – personal information will only be exchanged if both parties request it. Once both users have approved and exchanged details in this way, this will be considered a brokered match.

However we would always advise you to:

Remember, you are under no obligation to go ahead with sharing a journey. If you have any doubts about your travelling companion, for any reason, you should avoid travelling with them.

9. I’m a woman and would like to car share but would only want to share with another female. Is this possible?

Yes, the University of Bristol Car Sharing Scheme has a matching facility so that you can specify same-sex matches i.e. females only.

10. What happens if I find that car sharing doesn't suit me?

If you find that car sharing does not suit you, you can stop at any time.