Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: September 11th, 2024

1. Introduction

Welcome to RideMates. By accessing or using our service, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions ("Terms"). Please read them carefully before using the RideMates platform.

RideMates is operated by RIDEMATES RIDESHARE PTY LTD (ACN: 680 680 559), a company registered in Australia. All references to "RideMates," "we," "us," or "our" in these Terms refer to RIDEMATES RIDESHARE PTY LTD.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using any part of our service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the service.

3. Eligibility

To use RideMates, you must be at least 18 years old and capable of forming a legally binding contract. This means that both Drivers (users posting rides) and Passengers (users booking rides) must be at least 18 years old. By using our service, you represent and warrant that you meet this eligibility requirement.

4. Account Registration

When creating an account, you agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account login credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. If you suspect any unauthorized use of your account, you must notify us immediately.

5. User Conduct

As a user of RideMates, you agree to use the service lawfully and respectfully. You must not:

• Engage in any fraudulent, unlawful, or inappropriate behavior.
• Use the service for any commercial purposes without our prior written consent.
• Interfere with the operation of the service or disrupt the experience of other users.
• Post or transmit any content that is offensive, defamatory, or violates the rights of others.

Ride Posting Requirements

If you choose to post a ride on the RideMates platform, you must meet the following mandatory requirements, which are in accordance with Australian laws and regulations:

• Minimum Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Valid Driver's License: You must possess a valid Australian driver’s license that is appropriate for the vehicle you intend to drive. Learner and provisional licenses are not accepted.
• Vehicle Registration: The vehicle you use for rides posted on RideMates must be registered with the relevant Australian state or territory transport authority.
• Insurance: You must hold a valid and current insurance policy that covers your vehicle for rideshare or commercial purposes. This includes compulsory third-party insurance (CTP) and any additional insurance required by your state or territory.
• Roadworthy Vehicle: Your vehicle must meet all road safety requirements and must be regularly serviced and maintained in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. It should pass any necessary vehicle inspections mandated by local laws.
• Background Checks: You may be required to pass background checks as mandated by local regulations. This may include criminal history checks, driving history checks, and other checks as necessary.
• Compliance with Local Laws: You are required to comply with all road rules and traffic laws applicable in the area you are operating. This includes, but is not limited to, speed limits, parking regulations, and rules regarding the use of mobile devices while driving.
• Rideshare Accreditation: In some states or territories, you may be required to obtain rideshare accreditation or a specific permit to offer rideshare services. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all local legal requirements before posting a ride on RideMates.

6. Payment and Fees

RideMates may charge fees for certain services. By using these services, you agree to pay the applicable fees. All payments are processed through third-party payment processors, and you agree to their terms and conditions. RideMates is not responsible for any errors or issues related to payment processing.

7. Cancellation and Refund Policy

You may cancel a booked ride directly through the RideMates app. To cancel a booking, go to your booking details and click on the "..." (options) button at the top right corner of the booking page. Please note that rides cannot be canceled within 24 hours of the scheduled departure time to facilitate planning and coordination with the driver and other passengers.

Refunds will be processed for cancellations made more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time. However, if you cancel a booking within 24 hours of the scheduled departure time, no refund will be provided. This policy helps ensure that drivers can plan and manage their schedules effectively.

RideMates reserves the right to refuse a refund request if it does not meet our refund criteria, as outlined above.

8. Intellectual Property

All content, trademarks, logos, and other intellectual property on the RideMates platform are the property of RideMates or its licensors. You may not use, copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of the service without our prior written consent.

9. Limitation of Liability

RideMates is a platform that facilitates the connection between individuals offering rides ("Drivers") and individuals seeking to book rides ("Passengers"). RideMates does not own, operate, employ, or manage any vehicles or drivers. As such, RideMates is not responsible for the conduct of Drivers, Passengers, or any other users of the platform during a ride or at any other time.

By using the RideMates service, you acknowledge that any ride you book or offer through our platform is provided by a third-party Driver, not by RideMates. Consequently, RideMates is not liable for any damages, losses, or injuries that may occur during or as a result of a ride, including but not limited to accidents, delays, or any other incidents.

RideMates is not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or in connection with your use of the service. Our total liability to you for any claims arising from your use of the service is limited to the amount you have paid, if any, to RideMates for accessing the service.

10. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account and access to the service at our discretion, without notice, if we believe you have violated these Terms or any applicable law. Upon termination, your right to use the service will immediately cease.

Access to the Platform

Access to RideMates is provided on an "as is" basis. We reserve the right to limit, deny, modify, or discontinue the platform at any time without prior notice. We are not liable for any disruptions, errors, or downtime that may affect the availability of the service.

You are responsible for ensuring that your access to the platform complies with applicable laws and that your use of the platform does not infringe on the rights of others.

User Content

By uploading content to the RideMates platform, you grant us a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use, modify, distribute, and display your content. You warrant that you own the rights to the content you upload or have obtained the necessary permissions to use it.

We reserve the right to remove any content that violates these Terms, infringes on the rights of others, or is deemed inappropriate.

Limitation of Liability

RideMates is not liable for any inaccurate or misleading information provided by users, or for any actions taken by users during or after a ride. The platform serves solely as a medium for connecting individuals, and we do not guarantee the suitability, safety, or legality of any ride arrangements made through the platform.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless RideMates, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, and licensors from any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or related to your use of the platform, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of another.

Rules of Behavior

As a user of RideMates, you agree to use the platform in a manner that is respectful and lawful. You must not:

• Post or transmit any harmful, threatening, abusive, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable material.
• Engage in fraudulent, unlawful, or inappropriate behavior, including the exploitation of minors.
• Advertise or promote commercial products without our prior consent.
• Upload any harmful software, such as viruses, worms, or Trojan horses.
• Harvest or collect information about other users without their consent.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the platform or interfere with its operation.

Failure to comply with these rules may result in the suspension or termination of your account, as well as legal action if necessary.

11. Changes to the Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the updated Terms on our website and updating the "Effective Date" above. Your continued use of the service after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Terms.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Australia. Although RideMates is based in South Australia, you agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Australia for any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or the service. This means that legal proceedings can be brought in any relevant state or territory in Australia, depending on the circumstances.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]