Last updated: May 26, 2026
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Seat Sherpa mobile application and related services (collectively, the "Service") operated by Seat Sherpa ("we", "us", or "our"). Seat Sherpa is a peer-to-peer carpool coordination platform that helps drivers and passengers share long-distance trips they were already taking. The Service is currently available in California and Nevada. By using the Service, you agree to these Terms.
Seat Sherpa is a technology platform. The Service connects individuals (drivers) who are planning a long-distance trip in their own personal vehicle with other individuals (passengers) who would like to share the trip and contribute toward the driver's costs.
Seat Sherpa is NOT a transportation carrier, taxi service, ride-hail company, or Transportation Network Company. We do not own, operate, or dispatch vehicles. We do not employ drivers. We do not determine routes, set prices, or guarantee that any trip will occur. We facilitate introductions and payments between users; the trip itself is arranged between the driver and passenger.
Per-seat amounts paid by passengers are intended to reimburse the driver for a share of the actual operating cost of the vehicle (fuel, wear, insurance, depreciation), and are capped at a level no greater than the IRS standard mileage rate multiplied by the trip distance, divided by the number of seats offered. This is a cost-sharing arrangement, not a payment for transportation services. Drivers do not earn a profit from rides posted on the Service.
To use the Service you must be at least 18 years old, provide accurate registration information, and verify a phone number via SMS one-time code. Drivers must additionally hold a current, valid driver's license and complete payment onboarding through our payment processor (Stripe).
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity under your account. Notify us at support@seatsherpa.app immediately if you suspect unauthorized access.
You agree not to:
Violations may result in account suspension or termination without refund of fees paid.
You are an independent user of the Service, not an employee, contractor, agent, or representative of Seat Sherpa. You receive no wages, salary, benefits, or guarantees of work from Seat Sherpa. You decide independently when, where, and whether to offer a trip; you set your own per-seat contribution amount within the limits set by the Service; and you control all aspects of the trip itself.
By signing up as a driver and each time you post a trip, you affirmatively represent, warrant, and attest that all of the following statements are true and will remain true throughout your use of the Service:
These attestations are material to Seat Sherpa's decision to allow you to use the Service. If any attestation is or becomes false, Seat Sherpa may suspend or terminate your access immediately, without refund, and you may be personally liable for any harm that results.
Seat Sherpa does not direct drivers' routes, schedules, or activities while operating their vehicles. Drivers are not paid by the hour, by the mile, or by any time-based or activity-based formula. Seat Sherpa does not own or maintain the vehicles offered through the Service, and has no operational control over the trips themselves.
Passengers acknowledge that drivers are independent users of the Service, not employees of Seat Sherpa, and that Seat Sherpa does not employ, dispatch, supervise, or train drivers. Seat Sherpa facilitates introductions and payments but is not a transportation provider and does not own or operate the vehicles offered on the Service.
By booking a seat, you acknowledge that any trip is voluntary, that the driver has independently decided to make the trip, and that your payment represents a contribution toward the driver's actual operating costs — not a fare for transportation services.
Drivers set the per-seat contribution amount for the rides they post, subject to a maximum cap calculated by Seat Sherpa for each route. The cap is calculated as:
max_per_seat = (trip_distance × IRS_standard_mileage_rate) ÷ seats_offered
This cap is intended to ensure that the total amount collected across all seats does not exceed the IRS-recognized cost of operating the vehicle for the trip. Seat Sherpa does not control or recommend individual seat prices; we only set the maximum permitted.
Seat Sherpa adds a processing fee equal to 5% of the seat contribution to each booking. This fee is added on top of the seat amount and is clearly shown to the passenger as a separate line item before they confirm payment. The fee covers credit card processing, secure payment infrastructure, fraud prevention, customer support, and platform operating costs.
Seat Sherpa retains a processing fee equal to 5% of the seat contribution from each completed ride. This fee is deducted from the driver's payout and covers credit card processing, 1099 reporting through Stripe Connect, and platform operating costs. The driver's earnings dashboard shows the net amount after this fee — that is the actual amount transferred to the driver's bank account.
Seat Sherpa may modify these fees with at least 30 days' written notice via email or in-app notification. Fees in effect at the time of booking apply to that booking.
Drivers are responsible for reporting and paying any applicable taxes on amounts received through the Service. Seat Sherpa provides annual 1099-K forms to drivers who meet IRS reporting thresholds via Stripe Connect. Cost-sharing contributions may have different tax treatment than commercial driving income; drivers should consult a tax professional for guidance on their specific situation.
Payments are processed by Stripe. By using the Service you agree to Stripe's terms. Seat Sherpa does not store full payment card details.
Each ride is posted with a cancellation policy chosen by the driver:
When a driver cancels a ride, all passengers receive a 100% refund regardless of the policy, including the passenger processing fee.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method via Stripe and typically appear within 5-10 business days. Processing fees on completed (non-cancelled) rides are non-refundable except where required by law.
Drivers are independent users of the Service, not employees or contractors of Seat Sherpa. Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, agency, fiduciary, or employment relationship between any user and Seat Sherpa. Drivers receive no wages, salary, benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, paid time off, or other employment-related benefits from Seat Sherpa.
Drivers must maintain valid personal automobile liability insurance that meets the minimum requirements of the state in which they operate at all times while offering or providing trips through the Service.
Seat Sherpa is structured as a cost-sharing carpool platform — drivers do not profit from trips, and per-seat amounts are capped at the IRS standard mileage rate divided across seats. In most cases, a driver's personal auto policy will cover Seat Sherpa trips on the same terms as any other personal driving. However, some personal auto policies contain a "livery exclusion" that can be interpreted by an insurer to void coverage when any compensation is involved — even cost-sharing.
Because policy language varies widely, drivers are strongly encouraged (but not required) to:
It is the driver's sole responsibility to confirm their insurance covers trips arranged through the Service. Seat Sherpa does not provide automobile liability insurance to drivers and is not responsible for any insurance gap, denied claim, or out-of-pocket cost a driver may incur.
Seat Sherpa does not currently provide platform-level liability coverage to drivers or passengers. Any insurance claim arising from a trip arranged through the Service should be filed with the driver's personal insurance carrier in the first instance. We may, at our discretion, purchase contingent commercial coverage in the future and will update these Terms if we do.
The following terms govern your participation in the Seat Sherpa Verification SMS Program (the "SMS Program").
The SMS Program sends one-time SMS verification codes to confirm your phone number during account signup and when you change your phone number. The Program may also send transactional ride reminders for rides you have booked (for example, 24 hours and 2 hours before pickup). The Program is operational in the United States only.
You opt in by entering your phone number into the "Verify your phone" screen in the Seat Sherpa mobile app and tapping "Send code." This action is your affirmative consent to receive verification SMS at the number you entered. Phone verification is required to create a Seat Sherpa account.
Verification SMS are sent only when you request a code (typically once at signup, and again only if you change your phone number on file). Ride reminder SMS are sent up to two times per booked ride (24 hours before and 2 hours before pickup). You will not receive marketing or promotional messages.
Message and data rates may apply. Costs are determined by your wireless carrier and your mobile plan; Seat Sherpa does not charge you for messages. Contact your carrier for information about your plan.
The Program is available on most major US wireless carriers including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and their MVNOs. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
You can opt out of the Program at any time by replying STOP to any message we send you. Other recognized opt-out keywords include STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, and QUIT. After opting out, you will receive a one-time confirmation message and no further SMS will be sent. To re-opt in, reply START or use the Change phone number flow in the app.
Reply HELP to any message to receive support information, or email support@seatsherpa.app.
Your phone number and information collected through the SMS Program are handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. We do not share phone numbers or message content with third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.
The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including without limitation any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Seat Sherpa makes no warranties about the conduct of drivers or passengers, the condition of vehicles, the accuracy of route or arrival-time estimates, or the outcome of any trip arranged through the Service.
Seat Sherpa is not liable for the acts or omissions of drivers or passengers, the condition of vehicles, or any injury, property damage, loss, or other harm arising from a trip arranged through the Service. You assume all risk of using the Service.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Seat Sherpa's aggregate liability arising from your use of the Service is limited to the greater of (a) $100, or (b) the processing fees you have paid Seat Sherpa in the twelve months preceding the claim.
You agree to indemnify and hold Seat Sherpa harmless from any claim, demand, or damage (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the Service, your breach of these Terms, or your interaction with any other user.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or the Service shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in San Francisco County, California, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts.
If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force.
Questions about these Terms? Email support@seatsherpa.app.
These Terms may be updated from time to time. Material changes will be communicated through the app or via email. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.