Contact your local, municipal or state government to find out whether there is a vanpool or rideshare program in your area. Employers, business parks or individual owners may also sponsor vanpools. Complete the application form and submit it along with any required fees, deposits and documentation.
Ask at your workplace or post notices if you want to start your own vanpool. Decide who is responsible for vehicle maintenance, insurance and administration. Draw up a driver schedule and ensure all drivers have a valid driver's license. Establish rules in advance regarding pickup and drop-off times and locations, whether smoking is permitted in the vehicle, and other personal details, such as food or music on board.
Rideshare may refer to a service within a specific region that helps commuters fill vanpools. State or municipal programs monitor vanpools for compliance and may require annual permits. Less formal programs connect travelers, often in areas with little public transportation. Participants take on their own risk and responsibility.
