Terms of Service

Last updated: September 3, 2026

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of SideCar, operated by AMKAI INC. By creating an account or using SideCar, you agree to these Terms and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.

What SideCar is

SideCar is a cost-sharing platform that helps verified students coordinate rides. SideCar is not a transportation carrier or transportation network company, does not employ drivers, and does not provide transportation. Drivers and riders arrange rides with one another and remain responsible for their own conduct and compliance with law.

Eligibility and accounts

• You must be at least 18 years old and use an eligible UCSB email address.
• You must provide accurate, current information and protect your account credentials.
• Identity verification may require an ID and selfie. Drivers must hold a valid driver’s license and are responsible for maintaining legally required registration and insurance.
• You may not impersonate another person, create duplicate or fraudulent accounts, or allow another person to use your account.

Rides and cost sharing

Drivers choose routes, times, available seats, and a per-seat reimbursement. Amounts must remain within limits shown by SideCar and are intended only to share trip costs, including the applicable IRS mileage rate cap—not to generate profit. Riders choose whether to request a seat. A request is not confirmed until it is accepted and any required payment succeeds.

Payments, fees, and payouts

Stripe processes payments and driver payouts. SideCar may charge a service fee displayed before purchase; the current fee is 8% and may be adjusted with notice or as displayed before confirmation. Taxes, bank processing, chargebacks, and payout eligibility may affect settlement. Payment is released according to the booking and trip-completion flow in the app.

Pickup, cancellation, and no-shows

Users must arrive on time, communicate material changes, and follow the cancellation and refund terms shown before booking. Refund eligibility may depend on how long before departure a cancellation occurs. Drivers must wait at least 10 minutes after the agreed pickup time before treating a rider as a no-show. A rider who does not appear may not be entitled to a refund. SideCar may hold, refund, or reverse a payment while resolving a cancellation, failed trip, safety issue, or dispute.

Safety and acceptable use

Use reasonable judgment and follow all traffic, safety, and other applicable laws. SideCar does not conduct background checks and does not independently verify insurance coverage. Do not use SideCar for illegal, unsafe, discriminatory, harassing, deceptive, or commercial transportation activity. SideCar may investigate reports, restrict features, suspend, or terminate accounts to protect users and the service.

Content and communications

You are responsible for profile information, messages, ratings, reports, and other content you submit. You grant SideCar permission to host and display that content as necessary to operate the service. Do not submit content that violates another person’s rights or applicable law.

Disclaimers and limitation of liability

SideCar is provided “as is” and “as available” to the fullest extent permitted by law. AMKAI INC does not guarantee that a ride will occur, that a user’s statements are accurate, or that the service will be uninterrupted. To the fullest extent permitted by law, AMKAI INC is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the service or a ride arranged through it.

Disputes, arbitration, and class-action waiver

Before filing a claim, contact us and attempt to resolve it informally. Except where prohibited by law or eligible for small-claims court, disputes will be resolved by binding individual arbitration, not by a judge or jury. Claims may not be brought as a class, collective, or representative action. You may opt out of arbitration by emailing hi@ride-sidecar.com within 30 days after first accepting these Terms and clearly stating your name, account email, and decision to opt out.

Changes and termination

We may update these Terms or modify SideCar. Material changes will be communicated as required by law. You may stop using SideCar and delete your account. We may suspend or terminate access for violation of these Terms, safety risk, fraud, unlawful conduct, or harm to SideCar or its users.

Contact

Email hi@ride-sidecar.com or write to AMKAI INC, 205 De Anza Blvd #42, San Mateo, CA 94402.