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Community CarShare > How It Works > Using Cars

Using Cars

Once your driver orientation is complete, you’ll have access to all the vehicles in the fleet, and you can reserve one whenever you want. Here are the steps for using a CarShare vehicle:

1. Log in or call to make a reservation

Members can use the online reservation system or telephone reservation line to book their CarShare trips. Most members use the online or mobile reservation site to make and change reservations.

2. Check vehicle availability and pick your car

Once you’re logged in to the reservation system, you’ll see a table showing all the cars and when they’re available to reserve. Pick the car that works best for you, and follow the prompts to confirm your booking. Availability of CarShare vehicles is excellent with 1-2 days advance notice, and same-day and spur-of-the moment availability is also great. This is made possible because the co-op keeps a close eye on car usage and membership growth, and adds additional vehicles when fleet availability is impacted by increasing use. As it is, approximately one-third of reservations are made within two hours of needing a car.

3. Head to the vehicle and make your trip

Once you make a reservation, simply go the vehicle you’ve reserved, use your Smart Card to access the vehicle, and then make your trip. When your trip is complete, return the car to its parking spot and lock the car using your Smart Card, and you’re good to go. With the co-op’s self-serve reservation and Smart Card system, using CarShare vehicles is simple and hassle-free.

4. Pay-As-You-Drive for each trip

The billing system charges your account overnight after each trip you make. At this time, the estimated trip cost (you’ll see this amount when you reserve a car) is billed either to your credit card, or subtracted from your pre-paid balance. At the end of the month, once all the trip log data has been collected, you will receive an invoice showing the actual cost of your trip. The estimated cost and actual cost of your trips are reconciled on your invoice, and the monthly insurance fee is added to the invoice as well. Pay your invoice by the end of the month in which it’s issued, and you’ll be all set to keep making reservations.