Carpooling lets you travel for less and in good company. As with any trip with people you do not know yet, a few simple habits make the experience more relaxed, whether you are driving or riding along.
Before you leave
1. Look at the profile before you commit
Take the time to read the profile of the person you will be travelling with: first name, verified phone number, trips already completed. On a Facebook group, check at least how long the account has existed and whether it posts regularly. An empty profile, or one created the day before, deserves a few extra questions.
2. Talk before you leave
A short call or a few messages is enough to get a good idea. Confirm the time, the departure point, the exact destination and the number of people. If something makes you uncomfortable, you can always say no.
3. Agree on the contribution in advance
Agree on the amount per seat before getting in, not when you arrive. A fair contribution covers fuel, tolls and a bit of wear, split between the people in the car. For a rough idea, use the fee calculator.
4. Choose a public meeting point
Meet somewhere busy and easy to find: a petrol station, the entrance to a train station, or a shopping centre car park. Avoid sharing your home address on the first trip.
5. Let someone close to you know
Send a family member or friend the name of the driver or passenger, their number, the registration plate and the expected arrival time. Share your live location during the trip if your phone allows it.
During the trip
6. Check the car and the driver
When you set off, make sure the car and the registration plate match what was agreed. If they do not, you can choose not to get in.
7. Wear your seatbelt, in the front and in the back
Seatbelts are compulsory for everyone in the car. If you are driving, do not take more passengers than there are seats fitted with seatbelts.
8. Drivers: follow the rules of the road
Keep to the speed limit, take breaks on long journeys and never drive when you are tired. Your passengers trust you with their safety, and a calm journey is better than a fast one.
9. Keep your important belongings with you
Documents, phone, money: keep them on you rather than in the boot. If possible, have the exact amount of your contribution ready in cash.
After the trip
10. Report anything that goes wrong
Dangerous driving, a price changed along the way, a disrespectful passenger: report it. On an app, a review or a report helps the whole community travel with more peace of mind.
What Naveto plans
Naveto, which is still on a waitlist ahead of its launch, plans profiles with a verified phone number, a suggested contribution per seat to avoid negotiations, and the option to offer rides reserved for women. These tools do not replace your own vigilance, but they help you travel with people who are better identified.