Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: September 11, 2024 | Last Updated: March 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, downloading, or using the RideMates application, website, or any related services (collectively, the “Service”), you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Service.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and RIDEMATES RIDESHARE PTY LTD(ACN: 680 680 559) (“RideMates”, “we”, “us”, or “our”).

2. Nature of the Service

RideMates is a technology platform that facilitates connections between drivers offering rides and passengers seeking rides. RideMates is not a transport provider, carrier, taxi service, or rideshare operator. We do not provide transportation services, employ drivers, or act as an agent for any user.

All rides arranged through the Service are agreements solely between the driver and passenger(s). RideMates has no control over and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, safety, legality, or suitability of any ride, the truth or accuracy of any listing or user content, or the ability of any user to complete a ride or transaction.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age to use the Service. By using the Service, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

If you are a driver, you represent and warrant that you hold a valid driver's licence, appropriate vehicle insurance, and vehicle registration as required by the laws of your state or territory in Australia, and that your vehicle is roadworthy and meets all applicable safety standards.

4. User Accounts

You must create an account to use the Service. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to update it as necessary.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time, without notice, if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms, engaged in fraudulent activity, or pose a safety risk to other users.

5. User Conduct

You agree not to:

Use the Service for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws or regulations
Provide false, misleading, or inaccurate information in your profile, listings, or communications
Harass, threaten, intimidate, or harm any other user
Use the Service while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (particularly drivers)
Attempt to circumvent the platform's payment system or arrange off-platform payments
Post content that is defamatory, obscene, discriminatory, or otherwise objectionable
Use automated tools, bots, or scrapers to access or collect data from the Service
Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
Interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Service

6. Payments and Fees

Passengers pay for rides through the Service using our secure payment system powered by Stripe. Drivers set their own prices for rides. RideMates charges a service fee to passengers on each booking to cover platform costs, payment processing, and customer support.

Drivers keep 100% of their fare. The service fee is charged separately to the passenger and is non-refundable except where required by law.

All payments are processed in Australian Dollars (AUD). By using the Service, you authorise RideMates and Stripe to charge the payment method associated with your account.

7. Cancellations and Refunds

Passengers may cancel a booking up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time for a full refund to their original payment method. Cancellations within 24 hours of departure are not permitted, as the driver has already planned their route.

If a driver cancels a ride, all affected passengers will receive a full refund automatically. Refunds may take 5–10 business days to appear depending on your financial institution.

RideMates reserves the right to issue refunds at its discretion in exceptional circumstances.

8. Driver Payouts

Driver earnings become available for withdrawal 48 hours after a ride has been completed. Drivers must set up a Stripe Connect account to receive payouts to their bank account. RideMates is not responsible for any delays or issues caused by Stripe or your financial institution.

9. Identity Verification

Users may verify their identity by submitting a government-issued ID and a matching selfie. Verified users display a badge on their profile. Verification is voluntary but encouraged for trust and safety purposes.

Verification does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee, or background check by RideMates. We do not verify criminal history, driving records, or insurance status. Users are solely responsible for assessing the suitability and safety of any ride or co-traveller.

10. Reviews and Ratings

After completing a ride, drivers and passengers may rate and review each other. Reviews must be honest, accurate, and respectful. We reserve the right to remove reviews that violate these Terms or our community guidelines. Manipulation of the rating system (including fake reviews) may result in account suspension or termination.

11. Intellectual Property

All content, features, and functionality of the Service — including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, software, and design — are the exclusive property of RIDEMATES RIDESHARE PTY LTD and are protected by Australian and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, publicly display, or otherwise exploit any content from the Service without our prior written consent.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law:

The Service is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.
RideMates does not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free from viruses or other harmful components.
RideMates shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, goodwill, or other intangible losses, arising out of or relating to your use of or inability to use the Service.
RideMates shall not be liable for any injury, death, property damage, or other harm arising from any ride arranged through the Service.
Our total aggregate liability to you for any claims arising from or related to the Service shall not exceed the total fees paid by you to RideMates in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantee, right, or remedy conferred by the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)) or any similar state or territory legislation that cannot be excluded, restricted, or modified by agreement.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless RideMates, RIDEMATES RIDESHARE PTY LTD, and its officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or in connection with:

Your use of or access to the Service
Your breach of these Terms
Your violation of any applicable law or regulation
Your violation of the rights of any third party
Any ride, transaction, or interaction with another user facilitated through the Service
Any content you submit, post, or transmit through the Service

14. Assumption of Risk

You acknowledge and agree that the use of rideshare and carpool services involves inherent risks, including but not limited to the risk of motor vehicle accidents, personal injury, property damage, and interactions with strangers. By using the Service, you voluntarily assume all such risks and release RideMates from any liability related thereto.

15. Privacy

Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using the Service, you consent to the practices described in our Privacy Policy.

16. Dispute Resolution

If you have a dispute with RideMates, you agree to first attempt to resolve it informally by . We will acknowledge your dispute within 7 days and aim to resolve it within 30 days.

If the dispute cannot be resolved informally, you agree to submit to mediation administered by a mutually agreed mediator in Adelaide, South Australia, before pursuing any legal action. The costs of mediation shall be shared equally.

17. Termination

You may terminate your account at any time through the app or by . We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice, including for any violation of these Terms.

Upon termination, your right to use the Service will cease immediately. Sections relating to intellectual property, limitation of liability, indemnification, assumption of risk, dispute resolution, and governing law shall survive termination.

18. Modifications to the Service and Terms

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service (or any part thereof) at any time without notice. We may also update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be notified by posting the updated Terms and updating the “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance.

19. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of South Australia and the Commonwealth of Australia. Any disputes arising under or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of South Australia.

20. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

21. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and RideMates regarding the use of the Service and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and representations.

22. Contact Us

RIDEMATES RIDESHARE PTY LTD
ACN: 680 680 559