-- I'm interested in being a Driver
-- I'm interested in being a Navigator
-- What do you cover in Orientation?
-- When is a Driving/Navigating shift?
-- How can I sign up?
-- Do you conduct background checks?

I’d like to be a Driver, what do I need to know? 
RightRides and Zipcar have very high standards for interested drivers. To qualify to drive for RightRides, you must:

• Have a valid Driver’s License (If you have a US license from HI, NH, PA or WA, click here; a Canadian license from Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Sasketchewan or the Yukon Territories, click here; or a license from outside US/Canada, click here)
• Have been licensed for at least one year
• Be 21 or older
• Have had no major violations in the past three years
• Have had no DUI violations in the past seven years
• Have had no more than two "incidents" (moving violations PLUS accidents) in the past three years and no more than one incident in the past 18 months
• Pass a criminal background check (no other type of background check is run) - why do we require this?

Drivers must have a Navigator – one of you must identify as female and you must attend an Orientation session. If you have a friend/partner/co-worker that you’d like to volunteer with, bring them to Orientation! If not, no worries – we can pair you up with a Navigator.



I’d like to be a Navigator, what do I need to know?
You must be able to:

• Pass a criminal background check (no other type of background check is run) - why do we require this?
• Take incoming calls from the Dispatcher
• Navigate Driver to pickup and drop-off locations
• Foster a safe space environment by welcoming Riders into the car
• Answer any questions Riders may have about RightRides service
• Advocate for increased awareness and rider involvement in our related safety programs. 

Navigators are in a driving team with a Driver (one of you must identify as female) and you must attend an Orientation session.

If you have a friend/partner/co-worker that qualifies to drive and whom you’d like to volunteer with, we encourage you to bring them to orientation. If not, no worries – we can pair you up with a Driver.

Of course, it’s great if Navigators are already familiar with our service areas within Brooklyn and lower Manhattan neighborhoods, but detailed maps are provided for your use.
 


What do you cover in Orientation?
In Orientation, we’ll go over the Driving Team training manual, the events of a typical night, and the rules and regulations of operating the service. We’ll answer any questions Driving Teams might have about RightRides. We also offer our Driving Team volunteers diversity and awareness training through our ongoing collaborations with NYC nonprofit organizations.



When is a Driving/Navigating shift?
Drive teams shifts are from Midnight to 3 a.m., on Saturday nights (aka Sunday morning) – but teams must be available to pick up the car by 11:30 p.m., to be ready to go at Midnight.

Teams often take the last call at 3 a.m., which means by the time teams drop the rider and the car off, it’s around 3:30 a.m.

So this is approximately a four-hour volunteer shift.



How often will I Drive/Navigate?
That’s mostly up to volunteer's personal schedule and interest, but we schedule driving teams for no more than two shifts per month, the average being once per month.   

We ask that all Driving Teams commit to volunteering for a minimum of 5 shifts – and we’re working on incentives to reward those who volunteer 5 shifts or more.  Since RightRides is volunteer-run, we rely on our dedicated Driving Teams to make the service possible!



How can I sign up?
If you are interested in being a Driver or Navigator, to find out about where and when we're holding volunteer Orientation. Please include your name and contact information.



Do you conduct background checks on volunteer Driving Teams?
Yes. Because we care about seeing our Riders home safely—not to mention the safety of our Driving Teams—we conduct criminal background checks to ensure there is no history of criminal activity.

No other type of background check is run – we are not concerned about volunteer's financial, educational, rental or other history. All information is kept strictly confidential.