How a trip works from start to finish

Once you've signed up and your details have been verified, taking a trip is simple.

How to book a car, van or pickup

To book, just visit the Uber Carshare website or download the Uber app, then:

Open the Uber app
Tap Carshare
Search for available cars that match your needs
Book your trip.

You’ll receive a conformation email when your trip is confirmed, so you don't need to wait for the owner to confirm. . Your trip can be as short as an hour, and increase in increments of 15 minutes.

Trip instructions

Before you drive…

Remember, you're a guest in a real person’s car. Please take care of it as you would for a friend.

Only you or other verified borrowers (people with an Uber Carshare account) may drive the car - any other drivers won't be protected by the vehicle protection and insurance
Don't smoke or vape in or near the car
Return the car clean and tidy, ready for the next driver
If anything goes wrong, let the owner know — don’t wait for them to discover damage, spills or fines themselves

1. Get the keys and find the car

To get the approximate location before your trip starts:

Open the Uber app and tap Carshare
Select your trip from the Trips section of the Uber app.

The car's location is shown so you can head to the right area.

15 minutes before your trip starts, select Pickup instructions. You'll see step-by-step instructions on how and where to pick up the car.

You can find the keys in a secure lockbox. It may be on the car’s window, or attached to a fence or building nearby. In the Uber app, you'll see instructions tailored to the car you've booked.

If the lockbox is on the car's window, take it off and store it safely in the car while you drive.

2. Check the car and take photos

As part of this process, the Uber app will prompt you to take multiple photos of the car.

Take photos of all surfaces of the car and the car's interior and upload them through the app. This is especially important the car is not in good condition, is dirty or has less than ¼ tank of gas.

If you accidentally close the Carshare section of the Uber app, simply:

Open the Uber app
Tap Carshare
Select your current trip from the Trips section

You'll take photos again when you return the car. If you can't upload the photos as you take them, make sure you upload them within 48 hours of your trip ending.

Your photos protect you. If damage is found later, and your before-and-after photos show that it wasn't caused during your trip, you won’t be held responsible.

3. Read the owner’s instructions

Each car is unique. The car owner’s instructions will tell you any tips and tricks for using their car.

You’ll get the owner’s contact details in case you need to ask them a question.

4. Refuel if the gas tank is less than 1/4 full

You must return the car with the gas tank at least ¼ full, so the next driver can get on their way. The car’s instructions tell you what type of gas to use.

You don’t pay for gas yourself — it's included in the distance charge.

If you need to fill up, pay for gas using your own money and upload a photo of the receipt for reimbursement.

5. Returning the car

When you're ready to return the car:

Open the Uber app
Tap Carshare
Start the return instructions

You'll see directions on where to park. Some cars have a dedicated parking spot, like a garage or driveway. Others are parked on the street.

In very busy areas, you may need to plan extra time to find a parking spot at the end of your trip.

If the car is parked on the street, check the instructions and parking signs very carefully. If you leave a car in a place where it gets a parking fine — no matter how long after your trip ends — you’ll need to pay the fine.

6. Check, lock and leave

Take another set of photos clearly showing all surfaces of the car and the car's interior, and upload them through the app or website.

Before you leave the car, check you've:

taken all your belongings
left the car clean and with at least ¼ tank of gas
closed all the windows
turned off all the lights
locked the doors

Use the app to generate a lockbox code, put the key back inside and close the lockbox securely. If the lockbox was on the car's window, make sure you put it back in place.

Need more time?

It’s simple to extend your trip through the Uber app, as long as no one else has booked the car. Just follow the prompts to set a new end time.

To avoid late fees, make sure you extend before the trip is due to end.

If you return the car early, you’ll still pay for the time you booked, unless someone else books it. This is because the owner may have made plans around your booking, and missed the chance to let someone else use the car.

Not signed up yet? Here's how

You can sign up and become a verified borrower for free. It only takes a few minutes.