Carpool Tips

Call all carpoolers who live and work near you to negotiate how much flexibility they have.

Carpoolers who do not know each other might feel more comfortable if they were to meet before they take their first ride. If you meet and still feel uncomfortable, you can simply choose not to participate in the carpooling arrangement. You are not obligated to carpool.

Each carpooler should be able to express their needs and concerns. Ground rules should be discussed before any arrangements are made. The following are recommended questions to ask your potential carpool partners:

o Do you smoke?

o Do you allow others to smoke in your vehicle?

o Do you eat while driving?

o Do you allow others to eat in you vehicle?

o Do you make any routine stops (coffee, breakfast, etc.)?

o Do all drivers have full insurance coverage?

Cover the basics. Get to know your carpool partners and establish agreements that everyone is comfortable with. Consider the following:

o How many carpool partners will be there? Who will drive? Will there be a rotation schedule?

o Who to contact if a carpooler can’t make it?

o Where and when you will meet? You can meet at a mutual location or the driver can pick everyone up.

Discuss carpool costs. If all carpoolers will be driving then money shouldn’t be an issue but if only one person if driving then passengers should chip in to cover gas and parking costs.