Terms of Service

1. About These Terms

Welcome to RouteBook. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the RouteBook mobile application and related services (collectively, the "Platform") operated by RouteBook, Inc. ("RouteBook," "we," "our," or "us").

By creating an account, downloading the app, or using any part of the Platform, you agree to these Terms in full. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you through the app or by email. Your continued use after notice constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. What RouteBook Is — and Is Not

RouteBook is a technology platform for discovery and communication. It allows users to post travel routes, search for available routes, and exchange messages with other users to coordinate long-distance travel arrangements.

RouteBook provides tools for users to post, find, and discuss travel routes, and provides in-app messaging for users to communicate directly with each other.

RouteBook does not provide, arrange, or contract for transportation services; does not employ, endorse, screen, or supervise drivers or passengers; does not process, hold, escrow, or facilitate payments of any kind; does not perform background checks, criminal record checks, driving record checks, or assess insurance coverage, vehicle condition, or licensing status of any user; does not guarantee the safety, reliability, or conduct of any user; does not guarantee that any trip will occur, be completed, or be as described; and is not a transportation company, transportation network company (TNC), carrier, broker, or agent for any user.

RouteBook does require all users to complete government ID verification via Stripe Identity before posting routes as a driver or requesting seats as a rider. This confirms that a user's government-issued ID matches their profile name. It is a document check only — see Section 5.6 for full details.

When users choose to travel together, they do so entirely at their own discretion and risk. RouteBook has no involvement in, control over, or responsibility for any arrangements made between users, any payment or exchange of value that may occur outside the Platform, or any trip that results from use of the Platform.

3. Eligibility

To use RouteBook you must be at least 18 years old, have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract under the laws of your jurisdiction, not be barred from using the Platform under applicable law, and provide accurate and complete registration information. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you meet all of these requirements.

4. Accounts

4.1 Registration

You must create an account to access most Platform features. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information; keep your account information up to date; keep your password confidential; and notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account. RouteBook does not verify the accuracy of the information you provide. You are solely responsible for the content of your account profile.

4.2 One Account Per Person

Accounts are personal and non-transferable. You may not create or maintain more than one account, operate an account on behalf of another person without disclosure, or use automation to create or manage accounts.

4.3 Account Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice. You may delete your account at any time through the app settings.

5. Platform Features

5.1 Route Posting

Users may post descriptions of travel routes they are driving, including departure location, destination, date or schedule, and the number of available seats. RouteBook does not verify any information in a route posting. Any amount shown in a route posting is a cost-sharing contribution set by the posting user — RouteBook makes no representation that any particular price constitutes lawful cost-sharing under applicable law. Users are solely responsible for ensuring their travel arrangements comply with all applicable laws.

5.2 Route Search and Discovery

Users may search for posted routes by origin, destination, and date. Search results are provided for convenience only and do not constitute an endorsement of any route, driver, or user.

5.3 Invitations

Users may send and receive invitations to coordinate travel. An invitation is a communication feature only — it is not a contract, booking, or guarantee of transportation. RouteBook is not a party to any arrangement made through the invitation feature.

5.4 Messaging

RouteBook provides in-app messaging so users can communicate directly with each other. All coordination, confirmation, and terms of travel are entirely between the users involved. RouteBook is not a party to those communications and does not monitor them in real time. You agree to use messaging in compliance with these Terms and our Community Guidelines.

5.5 No Payment Processing

RouteBook does not process, handle, hold, or facilitate payments of any kind. If users choose to exchange money in connection with a travel arrangement, that exchange is entirely private between those users and RouteBook has no involvement, liability, or visibility into it.

5.6 Identity Verification

Before posting a route as a driver or sending a seat request as a rider, all users must complete identity verification powered by Stripe Identity. You will be asked to submit a government-issued ID document and a selfie. Your profile name must match the name on your government ID — if it does not, your verification will not be approved.

Once verification is complete, you may post routes and request seats on the platform. Verification does not result in any visible badge or indicator displayed to other users — it is a platform access prerequisite only. Verification means only that your ID document and selfie were matched by Stripe at the time of submission, and that the name on the ID matched your profile. It is not a background check, criminal record check, driving record check, or any assessment of fitness to drive or travel. RouteBook makes no representation that any verified user is safe, qualified, or reliable. RouteBook reserves the right to revoke platform access at any time.

6. User Conduct

You agree not to use the Platform to:

• Post false, misleading, or deceptive content
• Impersonate any person or entity, or use a profile name that does not match your legal name in order to circumvent identity verification
• Submit fraudulent documents during identity verification
• Harass, threaten, stalk, or intimidate any user
• Discriminate against any user based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic
• Solicit or distribute illegal content
• Collect user data without consent
• Use automated tools, bots, or scrapers
• Post or transmit malicious code
• Interfere with the Platform's operation or infrastructure
• Violate any applicable law or regulation
• Use the Platform to operate an unlicensed commercial transportation service

Violations may result in immediate account suspension and may be referred to law enforcement where appropriate.

7. Safety Is Your Responsibility

RouteBook requires all users to complete government ID verification before posting routes or requesting seats (see Section 5.6). All users on the Platform have completed this verification as a prerequisite — it is not displayed as a badge to other users.

Verification confirms identity — it does not assess fitness to drive, criminal history, driving record, insurance status, vehicle condition, sobriety, or any other factor relevant to safety. Verification is not an endorsement or guarantee of safety.

Before choosing to travel with another user, you are solely responsible for determining whether you are comfortable with that person, assessing the risks of traveling with a stranger, and taking whatever safety precautions you consider appropriate.

RouteBook strongly encourages all users to share their travel plans with a trusted contact before departing and to trust their instincts — you are never obligated to proceed with any arrangement.

Verification makes identity knowable. It does not make a trip safe. Safety is your responsibility.

8. Reviews and Ratings

After an interaction, users may leave ratings and reviews of other users. You agree that any review you submit reflects your honest, first-hand experience; does not contain false statements of fact; does not contain personal identifying information about other users; and complies with our Community Guidelines. RouteBook may remove reviews that violate these Terms at our discretion but has no obligation to do so.

9. Intellectual Property

9.1 Our IP

The Platform, including its design, code, trademarks, logos, and original content, is owned by or licensed to RouteBook and protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, reverse engineer, or create derivative works without our written permission.

9.2 Your Content

By submitting content to the Platform (including profile information, route postings, messages, and reviews), you grant RouteBook a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to store, display, and use that content to operate and improve the Platform. You represent that you have all rights necessary to grant this license.

10. Disclaimers

11. Limitation of Liability

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless RouteBook and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to your use of the Platform, your violation of these Terms, your violation of any applicable law, any travel arrangement you participate in as a driver or passenger, any content you submit to the Platform, or any dispute between you and another user.

13. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

Please read this section carefully. It affects your right to file a lawsuit in court.

13.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal proceeding, you agree to contact RouteBook at legal@routebook.us and attempt in good faith to resolve the dispute informally for at least 30 days.

13.2 Binding Arbitration

If a dispute is not resolved informally, you and RouteBook agree that any claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform will be resolved by binding individual arbitration under the then-current AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules, rather than in court.

13.3 Class Action Waiver

You and RouteBook agree that each may bring claims only in an individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any class, consolidated, or representative proceeding.

13.4 Exceptions

Either party may seek emergency injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction. Claims that qualify for small claims court are excluded from mandatory arbitration.

13.5 Governing Law and Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of law principles. For claims not subject to arbitration, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in California.

14. Third-Party Services

The Platform uses third-party services including Google Maps for mapping and Apple/Google for push notifications. Your use of those services is governed by their respective terms. RouteBook is not responsible for third-party services.

15. General Provisions

15.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and Cancellation Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and RouteBook regarding the Platform.

15.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, it will be severed and the remaining Terms will continue in full force.

15.3 Waiver

Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

15.4 Assignment

You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms. We may assign ours without restriction.

15.5 Contact

RouteBook, Inc.  ·  legal@routebook.us