Car sharing

Car sharing is a great way to save money, but it also contributes to reducing the impact of driving on local air quality and traffic congestion too. This film, with an accompanying transcript, explains how Bald Baz and Perfect Purdy tried out car sharing.

How much money can I save by car sharing?

Purdy and Baz each save £180 a year by car sharing for their six-mile round trip to work. They save money by taking it turns to drive each week, so no money changes hand. You can put your own car journey into Liftshare and see how much you could save by car sharing.

How do I find someone to share with?

Purdy and Baz were lucky enough to have lived in the same street, and be working in the same place. If you haven’t spotted someone in your street going in the same direction, then there are lots of other ways to find someone to car share with.

Spread the word about car sharing.
Speak to your colleagues at work – post on a work social media page.
Put up an advert for a car sharing buddy wanted on a work notice board.
Try a car sharing matching site - EssexCarShare.com.

How do I know it’s safe?

Luckily for Baz, Purdy’s mum knew his mum so she felt confident sharing with him. If your car share partner is a fellow student or work colleague, then you will probably know a bit about them already. If you don’t know your car sharer very well, or at all, then it is best to run a few basic security measures.

Don’t give out your full name and home address until you have met your car sharing partner and are happy with your car sharing arrangements. It may be useful to meet your potential car share partner before your first trip to have a chat and get to know them. For your first car sharing trip, meet in a public place.
Let a friend or family member know who you will be travelling with, when and to where.
Ask to see your car sharer’s legal documents such as driving licence, car insurance, MOT and tax and ask them for proof of identity, for example a passport or ID badge before you agree to car share.
A person can share their driving licence details with you by using this Government driving licence information service, enabling you to see driving record and any penalty points they have received. You can check if a vehicle is taxed and passed its MOT using the vehicle enquiry service, if you have the registration number of the vehicle.
And lastly remember, you are responsible for your own safety and it is up to you whether you decide to car share. If you have any doubts about your car share partner, then you don’t have to travel with them.

Am I insured to car share?

Generally car sharing will not affect your car insurance so long as you are not making a profit and are not giving lifts in a vehicle with more than eight passengers. If you have got any concerns give your insurers a quick ring.

When should I car share?

Whenever you can, regular journeys might be easier to arrange a car share for such as the work commute, but it’s fun to share for one off journeys as well as going out on the town, going shopping, or going on a trip.

I don’t have a car. Can I still car share?

Of course you can! You just need to find someone driving in your direction. You can then contribute towards their fuel and parking charges – they will welcome the contribution towards their costs and some cash is better than none.

Page last reviewed: 24 November 2020