Terms of use

1. Scope

Poolina is a private, non-commercial project run by (“we”, see the imprint). These terms apply to everyone who uses Poolina. By creating an account, you agree to them.

2. What Poolina is, and isn't

Poolina helps people who travel the same way find each other. Drivers post rides they are making anyway, passengers search and write to them, and both arrange the rest directly.

We are not a transport company, not a travel agency and not an agent for drivers or passengers. We don't become a party to any agreement between members. Members arrange and take rides on their own responsibility. We don't check members, vehicles or the information they enter, and we can't guarantee that a ride takes place.

3. Free of charge, cost-sharing only

Using Poolina is free. We charge no fees or commissions, and we never handle money. Passengers settle the contribution with the driver directly, in person.

The contribution is a share of the costs of a trip the driver is making anyway (fuel, wear, tolls). Together, all contributions for a ride may not exceed its actual costs: drivers must not make a profit. The suggested contribution is a guide within that limit. Commercial passenger transport, such as taxi or chauffeur services, is not allowed on Poolina.

4. Who can use Poolina

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• One account per person, for yourself only. Accounts can't be transferred.
• Your details must be true. Use your real first name.
• Keep access to your e-mail account safe: anyone who can read your e-mail can sign in as you.

5. If you drive

• You need a valid driving licence and a roadworthy vehicle with the legally required insurance.
• You follow the traffic rules and drive safely.
• Your ride details are correct. If plans change, tell your passengers right away; withdraw rides you won't make.

6. If you ride along

• Be at the pickup point on time, and tell the driver early if you can't come.
• Respect the driver's car and the preferences shown on the ride (luggage, smoking, pets).

7. Rules for everyone

You may not:

• enter false or misleading information, or pretend to be someone else;
• harass, threaten, insult or discriminate against anyone;
• ask for payment in advance, or try to scam other members;
• advertise, send spam or use Poolina commercially;
• collect other members' data, or use bots or scripts to access Poolina;
• get around our protections or interfere with the service;
• post anything illegal or that infringes others' rights.

You are responsible for what you post. You allow us to show it on Poolina as far as the service needs it (for example, your ride in search results). This permission ends when you delete it or your account.

8. Reports, removal and termination

You can report a member from their profile or a conversation. If someone breaks these terms or the law, we may remove content, withdraw rides, or block or delete the account. We consider the circumstances and the member's interests; in less serious cases we warn first. We tell the member why, unless the law prevents it.

You can delete your account at any time on your profile.

9. Availability

Poolina is a free hobby project. There is no right to a particular feature or to uninterrupted availability. We may change or end the service; if we end it, we'll tell members in advance by e-mail where possible.

10. Liability

We are not responsible for what members agree or do, especially not for rides, accidents, damage, delays, no-shows or disputes between members. Claims arising from a ride are a matter between the people involved.

For our own conduct, we are liable without limitation for intent and gross negligence, for injury to life, body or health, and under the Product Liability Act. For slight negligence, we are liable only for breaching an obligation that is essential for the service and that you may rely on, and only for the typical, foreseeable damage. Otherwise our liability is excluded.

11. Privacy

How we handle your data is described in the privacy policy.

12. Changes to these terms

We may change these terms for good reason, for example new features or changes in the law. We'll tell members by e-mail before changes take effect. If you don't agree, you can delete your account.

13. Applicable law

German law applies. If you live in another EU country as a consumer, the mandatory consumer protection rules of that country still apply to you. If a provision of these terms is invalid, the rest remains valid.