Terms & Conditions
1. About SameFare
SameFare ehf. ("SameFare", "we", "us") operates an online ridesharing platform at samefare.com that connects drivers travelling across Iceland with passengers who wish to share the journey and split the cost of fuel and road expenses.
SameFare is a marketplace intermediary only. We do not provide transportation services. All rides are arranged directly between drivers and passengers, who enter into a private cost-sharing agreement with each other. SameFare is not a party to that agreement.
2. Accepting These Terms
By creating an account or using any feature of the Platform, you confirm that:
- You are at least 18 years of age.
- You have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions and our Privacy Policy.
- If you are registering on behalf of a legal entity, you have authority to bind that entity.
We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify registered users by email or platform notice at least 15 days before material changes take effect. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.
3. Registration & Account
You must register an account to post rides or make bookings. When registering you agree to:
- Provide accurate, current and complete information.
- Keep your login credentials confidential and not share your account.
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorised use of your account.
- Maintain only one active account at a time.
You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account. SameFare will not be liable for losses caused by unauthorised account access where you failed to keep credentials secure.
4. Identity & Driver Verification
4.1 Identity Verification (all users)
Before making your first booking as a passenger, you must submit a government-issued photo ID (national ID card or passport). Our team reviews submissions within 1–2 business days. Until approved, you may browse trips but cannot complete a booking.
4.2 Driver's Licence Verification (drivers)
Before posting your first ride, you must upload a valid Icelandic driver's licence. Submission of a licence confirms that:
- The licence is valid and covers the class of vehicle you intend to drive.
- Your civil liability insurance policy covers ridesharing or carrying fare-contributing passengers. It is your responsibility to confirm this with your insurer.
- The vehicle has a valid roadworthiness certificate (skoðun).
SameFare verifies document authenticity to a reasonable standard but cannot guarantee the validity of any document submitted.
4.3 Minors
Users under 18 may not register or use the Platform. Passengers under 13 may not travel unaccompanied on any trip booked through SameFare.
5. Posting a Ride
When you post a ride as a driver you agree that:
- You own, lease, or have explicit permission to use the vehicle for ridesharing.
- The vehicle is a passenger car with a maximum of 7 seats (including driver).
- All information in your ride listing (route, time, price, vehicle details) is accurate.
- You will not post the same trip in multiple listings simultaneously.
- You will wait at least 15 minutes beyond the agreed pickup time before leaving.
- You will promptly notify passengers of any delays or cancellations.
Trip listings are visible to all platform visitors. SameFare reserves the right to remove listings that violate these Terms.
6. Booking a Seat
When you complete a booking as a passenger:
- Payment of the full amount (cost contribution + service fee) is taken immediately.
- Your booking is confirmed instantly; the driver is notified.
- The driver's contact details are shared with you, and your first name is shared with the driver.
- You agree to arrive at the pickup point and wait at least 15 minutes past the agreed departure time.
- You must carry valid photo ID for the journey.
- You may not book on behalf of a minor under 13 who will travel alone.
7. Cost Contributions & Fees
7.1 Cost Contributions
SameFare is a cost-sharing platform. Drivers may only request a contribution that reflects actual trip costs (fuel, tolls, wear). It is strictly prohibited to use the platform to generate a profit. SameFare may remove listings or suspend accounts where pricing appears commercial in nature.
As a guideline, reasonable contributions for common Icelandic routes are:
| Route | Typical range (ISK / seat) |
|---|---|
| Reykjavík – Selfoss | 700 – 1,200 |
| Reykjavík – Borgarnes | 1,200 – 1,800 |
| Reykjavík – Akureyri | 3,500 – 5,500 |
| Reykjavík – Höfn | 4,500 – 7,000 |
| Akureyri – Húsavík | 1,200 – 2,000 |
7.2 Service Fee
SameFare charges a flat 18% service fee on the cost contribution, payable by the passenger at the time of booking. This fee is non-refundable except where the driver cancels the trip.
7.3 Driver Payouts
Cost contributions are transferred to drivers after the trip departure date. Payouts may be withheld pending investigation of disputes or policy violations.
8. Cancellation & Refund Policy
Service fee is retained by SameFare.
50% paid to driver as compensation.
Service fee is retained by SameFare.
The grace period only applies when the departure is still more than 24 hours away — if the trip is imminent, the standard departure-based rules apply regardless of when the booking was made.
Refunds are processed within 5–10 business days via the original payment method. To cancel a booking, go to My Trips and select the relevant booking.
9. Conduct & Obligations
9.1 All Members
All members agree not to:
- Use the Platform for any commercial transportation business.
- Arrange payment outside the Platform to circumvent service fees.
- Post false, misleading or fraudulent information.
- Harass, threaten, defame or discriminate against other members.
- Carry prohibited or illegal items during a shared trip.
- Contact other members for purposes unrelated to the trip.
9.2 Drivers
Drivers additionally agree to:
- Hold a valid driving licence and motor insurance that covers cost-sharing passengers.
- Never drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that impairs driving.
- Transport only the passengers listed in the booking.
- Comply with all Icelandic road traffic laws.
- Inform passengers immediately of any significant delay or cancellation.
9.3 Passengers
Passengers additionally agree to:
- Not distract the driver during the journey.
- Leave the vehicle in the same condition as found.
- Respect the driver's stated preferences (luggage, pets, smoking).
- Notify the driver promptly if they will be late to the pickup point.
10. Reviews & Ratings
After each completed trip, both drivers and passengers are encouraged to leave a review. Reviews are:
- Published after both parties have submitted a review, or after 14 days, whichever comes first.
- Limited to honest, first-hand accounts of the trip experience.
- Moderated for compliance with our Content Policy.
Accounts that receive three or more reviews with an average rating of 3 stars or below are subject to review and may be suspended. SameFare reserves the right to remove reviews that breach these Terms.
11. Suspension & Termination
SameFare may suspend or permanently close your account if you:
- Breach any provision of these Terms.
- Provide false or misleading information during registration or verification.
- Generate profit through the Platform in breach of section 7.1.
- Receive a critically low average review rating (section 10).
- Are suspected of fraudulent activity.
Where practicable, we will notify you before suspension so you may provide an explanation. You may appeal a suspension by contacting support@samefare.com.
You may close your account at any time by contacting us. Closure does not entitle you to refunds for confirmed bookings, nor does it affect SameFare's right to retain records as required by law.
12. Liability & Disclaimers
SameFare provides a marketplace platform only. To the maximum extent permitted by Icelandic law:
- We do not guarantee the accuracy of any member-provided information, including verified documents.
- We are not liable for any injury, loss, damage or delay arising from a trip arranged through the Platform.
- We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of drivers or passengers.
- We do not provide or endorse any insurance product in connection with ridesharing trips.
Nothing in these Terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our own negligence, or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
13. Intellectual Property
All platform content, design, code and trademarks are owned by or licensed to SameFare ehf. You may not reproduce, distribute or create derivative works from any platform content without prior written consent.
By posting content on the Platform (trip descriptions, photos, reviews), you grant SameFare a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, reproduce and display that content solely for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform.
14. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of Iceland. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Icelandic courts, without prejudice to your rights as a consumer under mandatory local law.
For the European Union: online dispute resolution is available via the EC ODR platform.
15. Contact Us
For questions about these Terms, or to report a breach:
SameFare ehf.Reykjavík, Iceland
Email: support@samefare.com