Joining a car share and becoming a driver can be a difficult task for some people. Not only do you need to be able to pay your monthly fees and usage fees, but before you’re even eligible to join you must pass a background check. This check ensures that you are able to be covered by the car share programs insurance and that you won’t put their vehicles at an unnecessary risk by driving them.

Unfortunately, the requirements for each car share company or co-op will likely vary depending on who their insurance provider is and what level of coverage they have. This means that just because you may have qualified for one company in another city doesn’t mean that you can expect the same results. Additionally, if you get a ticket and go outside of their insurable range they may revoke your membership.

Nevertheless, like car shares, rideshares have begun to explode in popularity. What these are, are pretty much like a carpool in that a group a people gets together and work out a fair rate for the use of their car and a ride to designated locations each day. Generally the cost of fuel will be split evenly and the owner/driver will be responsible for maintenance and everything else. However, if the rideshare continues for a long time and becomes a routine, the maintenance fees may also be split.