Establish a trial period for the carpool :

A few weeks is a good period of time for determining if all participants want to continue with the carpool.

Determine drop-off and pick-up points and times :

Most carpools do this at either residences or common meeting points. Those who must drive to join up with the carpool can leave their cars at a safe Park lot. Some are conveniently located along bus routes, and others, while not on bus lines, may be good meeting places for van and carpoolers. Some lots are shared facilities with the businesses that own or lease the property. You may also be able to establish a park and ride lot that is convenient to your carpool’s residences by speaking with property management of a desired location.

Decide if one person will drive, or if the responsibility will rotate :

- Most carpools rotate driving responsibilities.
- If you rotate drivers, determine the schedule and the rotation.

Discuss personal preferences before the first day :

- Radio on or off? If on, what station will you listen to?
- Is smoking, eating or drinking permitted?
- How long should the driver wait for a late passenger?

Establish a chain of communication :

- Notify each other of illness or other changes affecting the group.
- Decide how and when the fares will be collected and then be consistent. Integrity in the financial aspects of the carpool are essential to maintaing "good will" within the group.


Comfort and Courtesy

It has been said that, "Good fences make good neighbors". [ ? ] Discussing the items below can be very helpful in establishing as strong foundation for a sucessful carpool.

- Will food or beverages be allowed in the car?
- Is smoking acceptable?
- What about unplanned stops like Starbucks or the drug store?
- The Radio: On or Off? If on, to a mutually agreeable station or does the driver get to choose?
- Do considerations need to be made for allergies like pets or cologne?


What If

- Someone get's sick, has car trouble or their alarm doesn't go off?
Decide ahead of time how you will handle this situation. Who gets contacted and how? Will the individual who could not fulfill thier obligations for the day have to do a "make up day"?

- One of the parties is late?
How long will people be expected to wait? (5 minutes is typical)

- One of the parties is always late?
Being chronically late is not only disrespectful to everyone in the carpool but it can also have repercussions at work. Clear guidelines should be set regarding tardiness and the closure of a carpooling arragement.

- There is an emergency and the driver will not be able to drop-off their riders.
This should be quite rare, but each person should determine how they will handle this situation. For most, friends, relatives or co-workers will be happy to help out in an emergency situation. In a worst case scenario public transportation or calling a cab service is a viable alternative.