Carpooling makes sense, no doubt about it. It cuts down on emissions, saves commuting costs, reduces congestion on our highways and helps us feel good for being part of the solution rather than part of the problem. For the most part, as far as the laws are concerned, true carpooling is relatively unregulated too.
Cost Sharing is OK, Making a Profit is Not
Problems arise when money enters the picture. Both ICBC and the Passenger Transportation Branch will become interested as will the police, depending on the amount of money that changes hands for the ride.
ICBC on Carpooling
If no money changes hands, ICBC does not require an insurance rate class change on the vehicle being used.
If money is given to offset the cost, a vehicle owner may insure their vehicle in the rate class for its normal use, provided that their passengers’ contributions do not exceed the cost of fuel, insurance, wear and tear, and/or parking for the trip and don’t include expenses for depreciation of their vehicle.
Their vehicle will only needed to be rated for business use if they start gaining financially from driving passengers.
Passenger Transportation Branch
The Passenger Transportation Branch advises that a private car pool vehicle, for example, a driver from the Fraser Valley who uses his vehicle to car pool a group to BCIT or a group of individuals that purchase a vehicle that is designated a car pool vehicle and individuals take turns driving the vehicle at specific times. These types of vehicles are not captured under the legislation.
If You Want to Make a Profit
If a profit is being made by the ride provider it then becomes a transportation network service and there are many rules to follow. The fines for not doing so are significant.
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