What is car-sharing?

What are the benefits of VRTUCAR car-sharing?

What kind of cars does VRTUCAR have?

How do I arrange to use the cars?

Will a car be available any time I want it?

How does VRTUCAR work?

What does it cost to join VRTUCAR?

How do I join VRTUCAR?

How much money will I save using VRTUCAR?

What about insurance?

Do I have to fill the gas tank?

What if I get a ticket or get towed?

Are cars harder to get on the weekend?

Can I smoke in the car?

Can children’s car seats be used in the cars? What about bike and roof racks?

Where are the VRTUCARs located?

What is car-sharing?

Car-sharing with VRTUCAR is essentially time-sharing a car, but the units of time are in hours.  With your VRTUCAR membership, you can reserve from a fleet of well-maintained cars in convenient locations and use the car for as little as an hour, or as much as several days.

What are the benefits of VRTUCAR car-sharing?

When you car-share you only use a car when you need it. VRTUCAR takes care of the burden of vehicle purchase and financing, licensing, routine maintenance, repairs, insurance and fuel costs for you!

VRTUCAR members help reduce harmful emissions into the environment by over 50% per member on average by car-sharing. Every shared VRTUCAR replaces 6-8 private cars on our roads. VRTUCAR’s fleet of cars are newer, and more fuel efficient, as well.

For the community, car-sharing means cars will take up less space on streets, fostering more pedestrian-friendly and child-friendly areas in which to live. Car-sharing also provides access to a safe, reliable car for those in our community who may not be able to afford the cost of car ownership.

What kind of cars does VRTUCAR have?

VRTUCAR's fleet is primarily fuel efficient vehicles like the Toyota Echo, Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Fit and Toyota Matrix. We also have a Honda Element with lots of space for cargo. We add new vehicles every year to grow the fleet with our membership, and replace older models after about 4 to 5 years.

How do I arrange to use the cars?

When you decide that you want a vehicle, you can simply log into our online reservation site - or call our 24-hour reservation line – to reserve one for the time that you need it. You pick up and return the vehicle to the same parking spot.

Will a car be available any time I want it?

You can book on the spur-of-the-moment, or up to 30 days in advance. However, the further in advance, the more certain you will be of having a vehicle when you need it. To ensure availability, our fleet uses a ratio of 20 users to each car. More members means more vehicles means more availability.

How does VRTUCAR work?

You have 24-hour access to a fleet of cars stationed conveniently in Ottawa neighbourhoods. We take care of maintenance, insurance and fuel. Sell your car and leave the ownership responsibilities to VRTUCAR!

1. JOIN
   You need a “G” Ontario licence (G1 and G2 licences are not eligible) and a good driving record for the most recent three years. Our insurance requires a minimum age of 23 years. Drivers between the ages of 23 – 25 inclusive, need a five-year good driving record. This document is not available online, you must purchase it at a Driver & Vehicle Licensing Office.
   
   A deposit of $500 is required, which is refunded on termination of membership. Deposit for an associate membership for a spouse or family member is $250, also refundable.
2. RESERVE BY THE HOUR
   Members have 24/7 access by internet or phone to reserve a car from our growing fleet.
3. PICKUP/DRIVE/RETURN
   Reserve a car as little or as often as you wish. Each car is parked at a convenient, self-serve location. At the end of your reservation, you must return the car to the same station.
4. PAY MONTHLY INVOICE
   An itemized monthly bill of your VRTUCAR use is sent to you by email or regular mail.  We accept Visa, MasterCard, AMEX and pre-authorized debit.

What does it cost to join VRTUCAR?

A deposit of $500 is required for the insurance deductible, which is refundable on termination of membership. Associate membership for a spouse or family member, requires a refundable deposit of $250.

Members choose a monthly plan to suit their driving needs.

Reservations can be made 24-hours a day online for free. Reservations made by telephone cost 50¢ per call ($1 for evenings).

Specialty vehicles such as the Toyota Matrix Hatchback and the Honda Element have a 10% surcharge on the hourly and per-kilometer rates, as well as on the Long Distance Use and Work Day rates.

GST will be added to monthly charges. Fluctuating fuel prices may cause per-kilometer rates to change.

How do I join VRTUCAR?

You need:

• Class “G” Ontario driver’s licence (G1 and G2 licences are not eligible.)
• 3-year Driver’s Abstract, dated less than 30 days ago
• 2 or fewer moving violations in the previous 3 years
• No at-fault accidents in the previous 3 years
• No criminal convictions under the Motor Vehicles Act
• Minimum age is 23 years
• Members 23 – 25 years of age (inclusive) need a 5 year Driver’s Abstract, dated less than 30 days ago (available only at a Driver & Vehicle Licensing Office)
• $500 refundable deposit, by Visa, MasterCard, cheque or cash
• Monthly membership plans are payable by Visa, MasterCard or automatic debit (void cheque required)

Print and complete the VRTUCAR membership agreement.

Fax, email or mail your documents to VRTUCAR and we will contact you for a membership appointment.

3-year Driver’s Abstracts are available online. 5-year Driver’s Abstracts must be obtained in person at one of the Ministry of Transportation offices listed below.

How much money will I save using VRTUCAR?

VRTUCAR members spend about $6 per hour when they drive. How about saving over $4,900 a year? Based on 2005 CAA figures, here’s what it will cost you to own and drive a car 250/km per month. Compare that with a shared VRTUCAR!

What about insurance?

VRTUCAR provides insurance coverage for you. You pay a one-time $500 deposit to cover the deductible. This deposit is refundable to you when you terminate your membership*. Our insurance covers All Perils (Collision and Comprehensive), Third Party Liability, Accident Benefits, Uninsured Automobile Coverage and Family Protection Endorsement.

While you are a VRTUCAR member and an insured driver on our policy, your good driving record can qualify you for an “experience letter” from our insurer.

*Minimum membership is six months.

Do I have to fill the gas tank?

Not necessarily. Members are responsible for ensuring the tank is at least half full for the next user. If the gas level gets to 'half', the member fills the tank using VRTUCAR’s fuel card and submits the receipt to VRTUCAR for a bonus. On occasion, members may need to use their own card, and then the cost of the gas is deducted from their monthly bill.

What if I get a ticket or get towed?

Car sharing is about sharing the costs and access to a vehicle. It is not about sharing responsibility for infraction costs. If you get a speeding, parking or other car-related ticket, you’ll have to pay for it. If the car is towed or impounded while it is out in your name, you will have to pay for the costs incurred.

Are cars harder to get on the weekend?

The busiest time of the week is Saturday, and then Sunday, 10am – 4pm. Although we usually have vehicles available during these periods, it may not be the closest vehicle to you. It is always a good idea to book as soon as you know that you want to drive.

The cars are cleaned on a regular basis by VRTUCAR, but if you’ve made a mess inside the car, you’ll have to clean it. Please remember to take all your personal belongings and garbage out of the car. VRTUCAR will also reimburse you for the cost of an exterior car wash, up to $10.

Can I smoke in the car?

No, never, not ever.

Can children’s car seats be used in the cars? What about bike and roof racks?

Children's car seats and roof racks are already installed in some cars or you can use your own. Bike racks are available from the office.

Where are the VRTUCARs located?

Please see our fleet map.