FAQ
General
1. What are the costs of car-sharing?
We suggest that drivers and passengers share the cost of petrol. Please note that drivers should not make a profit from sharing a car as in most countries this can invalidate their insurance and tax. If you have any concerns please contact your insurance company directly.
2. What are the insurance implications of car-sharing?
The Association of British Insurers clearly states that car sharing won't affect the insurance of their members, so long as a profit isn't made:
"Giving Lifts - All ABI motor insurers have agreed that if your passengers contribute towards your running costs your insurance cover will not be affected, as long as lifts are given in a vehicle seating eight passengers or less. This agreement does not apply if you make a profit from payments received or if carrying passengers is your business." (Source: ABI website, 2008)
Drivers with any concerns should check with their insurance company as terms and conditions may vary between insurance providers over time.
If you wish to contact your insurer in relation to your personal policy you can use this template letter.
3. How safe is car sharing through Carsharedevon.com?
The safety of Carsharedevon members is a priority, and the website has been made as secure as possible. All members' details are stored securely in the database and only the members' intended travel information can be accessed by other members. Your safety is further increased by sharing with members of the University through the private group.
When it comes to travelling, every member is responsible for his or her own safety. However we do recommend that members follow some simple security measures outlined below:
• Avoid exchanging home addresses with your travelling companion before you meet them.
• Arrange to meet for the first time in a public place.
• Inform a friend or family member of who you will be travelling with, when and to where.
• Make sure you see each other's IDs - passports, student cards or driving licences - so you know you're travelling with the right person.
• You are under no obligation to go ahead with any car-share arrangement. If you have any doubts about your travelling companion, for any reason, then you don't have to travel with them.
It is your responsibility to check that the person you are sharing with has all the legal driving documents, such as driving licence, car insurance, MOT and car tax.
For more information about safety and security of personal information please read Carsharedevon.com’s Terms and Conditions and their Privacy Policy.
4. What is a BUDI team?
BUDI teams are when two or more people who are registered on the carsharedevon.com system have confirmed they are sharing.
University Private Car Sharing Group
5. How do I join the University private group?
Step 1 - Visit carsharedevon.com > Click ‘Register’ > Click the company schemes drop down box and choose University of Exeter> Fill in your details!
Step 2 - Enter the details of your commute to work and the system will find other members of University’s private group travelling the same way. Use the secure system to make contact with someone making a similar journey to you.
6. I am a University tenant, can I join the University’s private car share group?
Yes.
Step 1 - Contact Julia Jack who will give you the group password needed to join the University’s Private Group.
Step 2 - Register with CarshareDevon within the private group. NB. If you wish to be eligible for a car share permit and preferential car sharing parking space you must register with: Your full name and your official work email address.
7. Will joining the University private group prevent me from sharing with other car sharers outside of the University?
No, if you register with the private group then you can set your profile to received notifications about potential matches from the public group and you can search for car sharing matches in both the private and the public group. Please note, to be eligible for car share incentives you must have at least 2 University based car sharers who are entitled to a Standard Parking Permit and who are registered users of the University private car sharing group.
8. How do I create or join a BUDi team?
Step 1 - Search for someone to share with by clicking on the ‘search’ button next to the ‘your journey’ button on the home page
Step 2 - Send a ‘request to share’ message to a member that you would like to share with. Click on the ‘find out more’ button > ‘Contact’ > ‘send a request to share’ message / ‘Phone member’ to view the telephone number.
Step 3 - Already have a car share partner but need to register your journey through the system? Follow the same process as above and find the person you are sharing with from the list of matches. If you can’t find the person you are sharing with; at the end of your potential matches there is an option to ‘Find member’; selecting this will allow you to enter your friend’s email address.
Step 4 - Having found a match, you need to update your sharing status. Go to ‘contacts’, confirm who you are sharing with and set up a BUDi team when prompted.
Or
• If a BUDi team already exists for that member, you will be given the option to be added to that team.
NB: If you have already updated your status to ‘Sharing’ but have not created / joined a BUDi team and would like to, you will need to click on ‘Sharing’ and then on ‘No’ and repeat step 4.
University Car sharing Incentives
9. Am I able to take advantage of the University’s car sharing incentives?
All University staff, students and tenants who are entitled to a University car parking permit and who are registered users of the University private car sharing group through carsharedevon.com (with a confirmed BUDi team match) are entitled to apply for a Car Share Permit which entitles you to share the cost of the permit and use the preferential car sharing parking spaces. The Emergency Travel Home Scheme is only available to University staff. Contractors are not able to take advantage of car sharing incentives..
10. Do I need to be on a formal Carsharedevon BUDi team to be eligible for a car sharing permit?
Yes, you need to be in a team of 2 or more people eligible for a University car parking permit. Each group must have a designated lead driver whose responsibility it will be to apply for a Car Sharing Permit.
11. How do I apply for a Car Sharing Permit?
Download the Car Sharing Permit application form from the car parking pages. If you do not have access to a computer you can call Campus Services Helpdesk (01392 724552) who will arrange for a form to be sent to you.
12. How do I pay for a Car Share Permit?
You can pay by cheque or by card. Salary sacrifice is not available at this time, should this change you will be notified by the Campus Helpdesk team and the car sharing web pages will be updated.
13. How long is my Car Share Permit valid for?
Permits will last for a period of twelve months, expiring in September each year, after which they may be renewed on application to Campus Services Helpdesk (01392 724552) using the relevant forms (this will be available by 1st November).
14. I already have a Standard Parking Permit, can I exchange it for a Car Sharing Permit?
Yes, contact the Campus Services Helpdesk (01392 724552) and they will arrange for your car parking permit salary sacrifice payments to be stopped. If you have already paid the full amount then Campus Services Helpdesk will arrange for you to be reimbursed for the months remaining on the annual permit from the date of issue of the car sharing permit.
15. If I purchase a Car Sharing Parking Permit and then my car sharing arrangements fall through can I get my Standard Annual Parking Permit back?
Yes, contact the Campus Services Helpdesk (01392 724552) and they will arrange for your Car Sharing Permit to be cancelled and your standard Car Parking Permit to be issued. If you have already paid the full amount then Campus Services Helpdesk will arrange for you to be reimbursed for the months remaining the car sharing permit is valid for.
16. What happens if the designated lead driver decides not to car share anymore? How do we change who is the registered designated lead driver?
The former lead driver must relinquish their Car Sharing Permit. The new lead driver should contact the Campus Services Helpdesk (01392 724552) and apply for a car sharing permit.
17. What happens if I change my car?
Any permit holder changing a registered vehicle should notify the Campus Services Helpdesk (01392 724552) and they will be issued with a replacement permit free of charge.
18. Does holding a Car Share Permit guarantee me a preferential car sharing space?
No, a car share permit entitles to you to use preferential car sharing car parking spaces but does not guarantee you a preferential car sharing car parking space.
19. If I hold a Car Share Permit can I park in a standard non-car sharing car parking space?
Yes, you may park in the standard non-car sharing car parking spaces on University campuses.
20. Where can I park on the occasions I don’t car share?
If it is before 9.30am you must park in a standard non-car sharing car parking space, if it is after 9.30am you may park in a car sharing parking space.
21. Is my Car share permit valid on the occasions I don’t car share?
No, if you are not car sharing then you must use your Authority to Park permit.
If you have any additional questions not addressed here please visit the questions section of carsharedevon.com. If questions not addressed here or on carsharedevon.com please email the University’s Travel Plan Coordinator, Julia Jack.
