Frequently Asked Questions

Drivers Owners Parents

Top Questions

  • What is Wheelz?

    Wheelz is a car sharing marketplace that connects you with people in your community that share their car on an hourly or daily basis. We make it easy for you to find available cars, book a reservation and start driving!

  • How do I sign up?

    Click here to sign up on our website. You can also sign up using your iPhone with our mobile app.

  • Is it really free to be a Wheelz member?

    Yes, it really is.

  • What are the requirements to sign up?

    To be eligible for Wheelz, you must be at least 18 years of age with a valid U.S. driver’s license, and a clean driving record. You also need a Facebook account.

    Currently, Wheelz is open to the Stanford community and is launching soon at UC Berkeley, USC and UCLA.

Question Topics
What is Wheelz?
Getting Started
Booking a Reservation
Taking a Trip
Insurance
Encountering the Unexpected





Got a question? Contact the Wheelz Pit Crew!
pitcrew@wheelz.com or 1 (855) 4 WHEELZ

Back to Top What is Wheelz?

  • What is Wheelz?

    Wheelz is a car sharing marketplace that connects you with people in your community that share their car on an hourly or daily basis. We make it easy for you to find available cars, book a reservation and start driving!

  • Where is Wheelz available?

    Currently, Wheelz is open to the Stanford community and is launching soon at UC Berkeley, USC and UCLA.

    Click here to tell us where we should go next!

Back to Top Getting Started

  • How do I sign up?

    Click here to sign up on our website. You can also sign up using your iPhone with our mobile app.

  • Is it really free to be a Wheelz member?

    Yes, it really is.

  • What are the requirements to sign up?

    To be eligible for Wheelz, you must be at least 18 years of age with a valid U.S. driver’s license, and a clean driving record. You also need a Facebook account.

    Currently, Wheelz is open to the Stanford community and is launching soon at UC Berkeley, USC and UCLA.

  • What do you mean by a clean driving record?

    We are creating the safest car sharing community possible (and need to keep insurance happy) so it is important that our members do not have serious driving infractions on their record. Specifically, our driving record requirements are the following:

    1. No major violations within the last 3 years (e.g. reckless driving)
    2. No alcohol related incidents within last 7 years.
    3. If you’re under 21, no more than 1 minor moving violation and/or accidents in which you were at-fault in the last 3 years.
    4. If you’re over 21, no more than 2 minor violations and/or accidents combined in the last 3 years


Back to Top Booking a Reservation

  • How do I reserve a car?

    There are 3 simple ways to reserve a car:
    1. On wheelz.com
    2. With your iPhone and our mobile app
    3. By phone, call the Wheelz Pit Crew at 1 (855) 4 WHEELZ (855.494.3359)

  • What if I need to cancel a reservation?

    We understand that you’re busy and plans can change. However, to keep things running smoothly, it is very important that you make any reservation change at least 2 hours ahead of time..

    There is a $10 late cancellation fee if you cancel within 2 hours of the reservation. If you delay the start of your reservation within 2 hours, the fee is $5.

  • What if I return a car late?

    To ensure that our things run smoothly, it is important to plan ahead and return your reserved car on time.

    If you realize you’re running late during a reservation, you can extend your reservation easily via our mobile app or by calling the Wheelz Pit Crew at 1 (855) 4 WHEELZ.

    In some cases, another member (or the car owner) will be waiting right after your reservation and it is not possible to extend a reservation.

    There is a late fee of $25 if you return a car past the end of a reservation.





  • Where can I go?

    In most cases, you can travel to any in-state destination. However, some car owners have specific requirements about where their car can go (we’ll let you know when you book). Out-of-state trips require advance permission from the car owner, so let us know and we can help you book.

  • How long is a reservation?

    You decide what you need. Your reservation is billed hourly, and can be as short as a half hour.

  • How much does it cost?

    Each car has both hourly and daily rates that are set by the owner of the car. A typical hourly rates are $8 – 12 per hour.

  • Can anyone other than myself drive if they are not Wheelz members?

    No, only Wheelz members are allowed to drive Wheelz cars. You are more than welcome to have non-members join you, but they will need to sign-up to drive.

Back to Top Taking a Trip

  • How do I locate a car that I have reserved?

    A Wheelz car always has a typical parking zone, but the exact location often changes. Wheelz makes it easy to find the car:
    1. 15 minutes prior to your reservation we send you a text with a link to the exact location of your car
    2. Our iPhone app allows you to find the exact location and honk the cars horn
    3. The Wheelz PitCrew is available at 1 (855) 4 WHEELZ to help locate the car

  • How do I unlock a car that I have reserved?

    There are two ways to get into the car. Your Wheelz member card is a key fob that will unlock the car when placed against the Wheelz sensor attached to the windshield of every car. For iPhone users, the car can also be unlocked using the mobile app.

  • Where are the keys?

    Car keys located in the Wheelz key box, kept in the glovebox or center console.

  • How do I make sure I am not responsible for pre-existing damage?

    At the beginning of a reservation, members should conduct a 360 degree inspection of the car and report any pre-existing damage to us by sending a photo of the damage to pitcrew@wheelz.com, or by calling the Wheelz PitCrew at 1 (855) 4 WHEELZ. This process will ensure that you are not held responsible for damage you did not cause.

  • Where should I return the car?

    Return the car to the spot you picked it up from. If the original spot is no longer available, return it as close as possible to the original spot.

    Each car has an assigned parking “Home Zone” which defines the boundaries within which the car needs to be re-parked.

    Please note if a car has a certain type of parking permit and park accordingly.

    If you’re having trouble finding a parking spot to return the car, call the Wheelz PitCrew at 1 (855) 4 WHEELZ and we can help you find a spot.





  • How does payment work?

    You will need to enter your credit card information when you register. We will bill you after you have completed your reservation.

  • How does gas work?

    Gas is included in every Wheelz rental. A Wheelz gas card can be found in the key box of every car.

  • When do I need to fill up the car with gas?.

    Please make sure to fill up the car any time the tank is below a ¼ full. Feel free to fill up the tank as frequently as you would like. It makes it more convenient for the vehicle owner and other members!

  • How much mileage is included?

    The standard hourly and daily rates for a car include 15 miles of driving per hour and 120 miles of driving per day respectively. If you exceed these mileage limits, there is a $0.40 /mile charge to cover gas and additional wear and tear on the vehicle.

  • Is an iPhone or smartphone required to use Wheelz?

    Nope. You can book online a reservation at wheelz.com. However, without a smartphone it is very difficult to find the car on the go.

    If you don’t have a smartphone, make sure you either check the exact location of the car online or with the Wheelz PitCrew at 1 (855) 4 WHEELZ.

  • Where is the proof of insurance and other important documentation kept?

    All important vehicle documentation is kept in the Wheelz key box in the glove box or center console.

  • What about parking tickets?

    Parking tickets that are during a reservation are the responsibility of the most recent renter. If you park illegally and it causes the vehicle owner to get a ticket, we will charge the ticket back to you. However, we’ll make sure to follow up with you directly so we can understand the circumstances and take the most fair approach possible.

    If you are not sure where you should park, call the Wheelz PitCrew at 1 (855) 4 WHEELZ and we can help you find a spot.

Back to Top Insurance

  • Is insurance included?

    Yes. Wheelz provides a comprehensive 1 million dollar insurance policy for the duration of your reservation.

  • Do I need car insurance to join?

    Nope. Wheelz provides complete coverage for drivers.

  • Who is responsible for the deductible?

    If a Wheelz car is damaged during a Wheelz reservation, members are responsible for whichever is lower, a $500 insurance deductible or the cost of the damage,

Back to Top Encountering the Unexpected

  • What happens if I get a flat, need a tow or get into an accident?

    We provide 24/7 roadside assistance if anything goes wrong during your reservation. Call the Wheelz Pit Crew at 1 (855) 4 WHEELZ and we’ll be able to help you

  • What happens if I get a traffic ticket during Wheelz reservation?

    Tickets are your responsibility. All important vehicle documentation is kept in the Wheelz key box in the glove box or center console.