What is car sharing?
Car sharing is when two or more people share a car and travel together. It’s an increasingly popular way to commute for financial, environmental, and social benefits.
With universities and the UK working toward net-zero emissions, car sharing is a practical way to reduce your carbon footprint while getting around.
Our annual travel surveys show that many students and staff already car share to reach campus. Below, you’ll find tips on the benefits of car sharing and what to consider before you start.
Why car share?
Benefits for car sharing for both the driver and passenger(s) include:
- Single occupancy car journeys are one of the worst emission offenders depending on the type of vehicle that you drive. This accounts for an estimated 18 million tonnes of CO2e emissions per year (approximately 25% of all UK transport emissions).
- Potential to reduce your individual travel costs (fuel and parking charges) by splitting these between the driver and passenger(s).
- Car sharing can help reduce traffic and congestion on the road and within the local community.
- Social benefits can include the potential to meet new people in your area.
Safety considerations:
If organising a car sharing ride with someone for the first time, please consider the below:
- Avoid providing your full name or address before having met someone.
- Make good use of communicating before agreeing to car share and only agree to a lift if you’re happy.
- It can be helpful to show each other your ID’s – e.g. passports, drivers’ licence, university card so you know you are travelling with the correct person.
- You are never under any obligation to share a lift. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t go through with the lift, even it has already been agreed.
- As with any activity that involves meeting new people, it is advisable to meet in a public place for the first time. It is a good idea to let friends and family know your plans.
- It is a good idea to discuss issues such as costs, insurance, communications and personal preferences before you commit to car sharing with someone. For example:
- Agree any rules in relation to smoking, eating, drinking, playing music and seating arrangements in the car.
- Agree relevant arrangements such as your route, schedule and pick up/drop off points.
- Car sharers should make every effort to be punctual, bit it is a good idea to agree how long the driver will wait if their passneger is not on time.
- Agree relevant arrangements such as your route, schedule and pick up/drop off points.
- Consider contingency plans such as public transport routes or other lifts for occasion when your car share may not be available.
What are the legal and insurance implications of car sharing?
- The UK Public Passenger Vehicle Act (1981) outlines any passenger contributions should be arranged before travel and should not exceed the fuel and running costs (including wear and depreciation) of the vehicle for the trip.
- As long as a profit is not made from the trip, insurers state that car sharing will not affect an individual’s car insurance. As a driver, if you’re receiving payment from passengers beyond the cost of petrol and parking (i.e. making a profit), this could be considered ‘hire and reward’ and invalidate normal car insurance.
- Drivers with any concerns should check directly with their insurance companies’ terms and conditions.
- Please note, the content in this article is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice and should not be relied on as such.
What are the liability responsibilities?
- In case of an accident, if properly insured, the driver’s insurance policy will usually cover the vehicle, passengers and third parties.
- Passengers generally do not have liability unless they actively caused the incident (e.g. distracting the driver).
- Employers are not usually liable unless they officially organise or mandate the car sharing as part of work duties.
Join the Liftshare community
Falmouth University, the University of Exeter, FX Plus and the Student Union have recently established a Liftshare community for Cornwall based car sharing activity.
The Lift-sharing app offers a safe and secure platform to help drivers and passengers find lift sharing companion(s).
Liftshare is an UK independent app run by Mobilityways and is not owned or managed by the universities or FX Plus. Using Liftshare is optional, voluntary and at the individual’s own risk.
Read the Liftshare App Guidance & Information:
Find out how to download and use the mobile app:
