LAST UPDATED: [DATE]
ridem8 ("we", "us", "the platform") is operated by an individual sole trader based in New Zealand. ridem8 is a website and service (accessible at ridem8.kiwi) that connects drivers with spare seats in their vehicle ("Drivers") with people looking for a ride ("Hitchers") travelling the same route, for the purpose of sharing travel costs.
Note: ridem8 is currently operated by an individual as a sole trader, not a registered company. As a sole trader, there is no legal separation between the operator personally and the business — meaning personal liability is not limited the way it would be under a registered company structure. Before ridem8 scales to real users and real transaction volume, the operator should discuss with an accountant or lawyer whether incorporating as a limited company is advisable, given the platform handles third-party payments and carries transport-related liability exposure. New Zealand's Fair Trading Act 1986 does not appear to impose a blanket requirement for sole traders to publicly disclose their personal legal name on a website; it focuses on accuracy and preventing misleading conduct rather than mandating name disclosure for a business of this kind. The operator's legal name is recorded for tax, banking, and payment-processing purposes as required, consistent with standard sole trader practice. This should still be confirmed with a lawyer as part of a full review of these Terms.
By creating an account or using ridem8, you agree to these Terms. If you don't agree, please don't use the platform.
ridem8 is a facilitation platform. We connect Drivers and Hitchers and process payments between them. We are not:
• A taxi, shuttle, or commercial passenger transport service
• A party to any ride arrangement between a Driver and a Hitcher
• An employer of any Driver
• Responsible for the conduct, safety, driving ability, or vehicle condition of any Driver
Rides arranged through ridem8 are intended as cost-sharing arrangements, not commercial passenger transport. Drivers may only recover a reasonable contribution toward the actual costs of the trip (such as fuel, and a fair share of vehicle running costs) — not a profit. It is the Driver's responsibility to ensure prices set through the platform reflect genuine cost-sharing and comply with the Land Transport Rule: Operator Licensing 2017 and any other applicable New Zealand transport law. ridem8 may update pricing guidance or impose pricing limits from time to time to help support compliance, but ultimate responsibility for lawful pricing rests with the Driver.
You must be at least 18 years old to create an account. Drivers must hold a current, valid New Zealand driver licence and ensure their vehicle is legally warranted, registered, and insured.
You're responsible for keeping your login details secure and for all activity under your account. You agree to provide accurate information when signing up, including your real name and a working email address.
• Where a ride has a set price, Hitchers pay through ridem8's payment processor (Stripe) at the time of booking.
• ridem8 charges a platform service fee (currently 8% of the ride price, subject to change) to cover payment processing, platform operation, and support. This fee is deducted before funds are transferred to the Driver.
• Free rides, or rides offered for snacks/petrol-money-in-hand rather than a fixed price through the app, are not charged a platform fee.
• Payouts to Drivers are processed via Stripe Connect. Drivers must complete Stripe's identity verification before they can receive priced bookings.
ridem8 offers optional subscription plans (Driver Plus, Road Tripper) that provide benefits such as waived per-ride fees and other perks as described on the pricing page at the time of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically at the listed price unless cancelled. You can cancel at any time through your account; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period.
Once a priced booking has been paid for, it is non-refundable. If you need to cancel a ride you've booked, please contact the Driver directly as a courtesy, but no automatic refund will be issued through the platform. We may review this policy in future and will update these Terms if it changes.
You agree not to:
• Use ridem8 to arrange transport for illegal purposes
• Harass, threaten, or discriminate against other users
• Circumvent ridem8's payment system for priced rides (e.g. arranging payment outside the app to avoid fees)
• Provide false information about yourself, your vehicle, or a ride
We may suspend or terminate accounts that breach these Terms.
Ride-sharing carries inherent risks. ridem8 does not conduct criminal background checks, driving history checks, or vehicle inspections on Drivers, beyond what is stated elsewhere on the platform. You use ridem8 and arrange rides at your own risk.
To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law:
• ridem8 is not liable for any injury, loss, or damage arising from a ride arranged through the platform, including road accidents, vehicle issues, or the conduct of another user.
• Personal injury arising from a motor vehicle accident in New Zealand is generally covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) scheme rather than through civil claims — this affects what claims may or may not be available to you as a rider or driver. This is general information, not legal advice; if you're injured, contact ACC directly.
• Drivers are responsible for ensuring their own vehicle insurance covers passengers carried for cost-sharing purposes. ridem8 does not provide insurance coverage for rides, except where an optional add-on (e.g. "ride insurance credit," where offered) is explicitly purchased and its terms are separately disclosed at the time of purchase.
If you have a dispute with another user regarding a ride, we encourage you to resolve it directly where possible. For disputes about payments processed through ridem8, contact us at [SUPPORT EMAIL].
We may update these Terms from time to time, including to reflect regulatory guidance (for example, from NZTA) as it becomes available. We'll post the updated date at the top of this page. Continued use of ridem8 after changes means you accept the updated Terms.
These Terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.
Questions about these Terms? Contact us at [SUPPORT EMAIL].