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How It Works

Our Services

In Ontario, Communauto offers two distinct services: the round-trip reservation service, available everywhere, and the one-way FLEX service, available in Toronto and Hamilton, which does not require a reservation.

Watch our videos to learn how to use a FLEX car or how to reserve and use a round-trip vehicle. For all the details, see “One-way Vehicles Available Without Reservation (FLEX)” or “Round-trip Vehicles Available by Reservation (station-based)” in the FAQ.

Available in Toronto and Hamilton

Round-trip vehicles available by reservation

Station-based: Bring your Communauto back to its station.

  • Pick up the car at the station you selected and return it to the station where you picked it up at the agreed time.
  • Round-trip vehicles can be booked up to a month in advance.
  • Ideal for planned trips or when you need to make sure you have access to a vehicle at a specific time and place.

One-way FLEX without reservation

Travel from point A to B: Release your FLEX car where you want, when you want.

  • The ideal solution for spontaneous trips or when you plan to return using another transportation mode.
  • Release the car at your destination within the Hamilton FLEX Zone to minimize costs and take advantage of parking perks.
  • Feel the freedom of getting around with FLEX!

All Ontario members have access to Toronto vehicles with their membership. Visit our Communauto Toronto website for the details about Toronto rates.

To learn how to access cars elsewhere, see “How do I use Communauto in other provinces and countries?” in the FAQ.

Find a Car

The links below will give you a quick overview of our vehicle network in Ontario. Download the Communauto app to reserve a vehicle. 

Find vehicles in Ottawa

Find vehicles in Kingston

Find vehicles in Southwestern Ontario

Find vehicles in Toronto

The FLEX Zone is displayed below, where all FLEX trips start and end. Download the Communauto app to identify available vehicles and visit our Communauto Toronto website for all the details on local rates.

Our Fleet

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Choose between our different types of vehicles, depending on your needs!

Our fleet is mainly made up of compact hatchbacks and mid-size sedans, for example:

We also have more spacious models available:

In Ontario, our fleet is made up of 21% hybrid vehicles, and 79% gas vehicles.

When reserving round-trip vehicles, you can use the “Options” tool in the mobile app to search for a specific vehicle category or set of accessories.

All our vehicles are non-smoking.

Parking 

Freedom from parking hassles is one of the big advantages of carsharing. 

FLEX Parking 

Hamilton’s free-floating carsharing permit program allows FLEX cars to be released in non-paid parking zones on-street within the service area, including in time-limited zones. 

FLEX cars can also be released on other streets where there are no restrictions.  

Keep in mind that you are not allowed to release a vehicle in a zone with temporary parking restrictions even if parking is permitted at the time of your return. FLEX cars must be able to stay where you release them for a minimum of 24 hours.  

If you are stopping over within the City of Hamilton, but outside the FLEX Zone, please note that on unsigned streets you are allowed to park for a maximum of 12 hours. 

To learn all the details about where you can or cannot park inside the FLEX Zone, see our FLEX Parking Guide.

Round-trip Vehicle Parking 

All our station-based vehicles have reserved parking spaces which will be waiting for you at the end of each trip. 

Our vehicle stations are located, for the most part, in private or public lots. At most stations, there is a specific parking spot reserved for us, while in some, it is possible to park anywhere onsite. 

Find out parking details in the Communauto app by clicking on the station name once you have selected a vehicle. Learn more > 

Gas

The cost of gas is always included in our rates.

For your convenience, credit cards are provided in vehicles for refuelling. For instructions on how to use the cards, see “Fuelling, collisions, and other trip-related questions” in the FAQ.

We ask that you return the vehicles with at least a quarter tank of gas. This is a rule of courtesy toward other members.

Insurance

Communauto vehicles are covered by insurance, including collision and third-party liability. You can drive with peace of mind!When you apply, all you have to do is choose a Damage Protection Plan option which will determine the maximum damage fee you will have to pay in the event of collision or damage to a vehicle, namely: $0, $300, or $600 per event (responsible or not). Learn more >

See Insurance and Damage Protection in the FAQ for full details.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to join, you must:

  • Be at least 19 years of age (unless joining under a family membership)
  • Hold an Ontario G or G2 class licence
  • Have no major or criminal driving convictions
  • Have no violations relating to impaired driving
  • Have a good credit record
  • Have a relatively clean driving record (3-year uncertified driving record)

You can order your driving record online, or visit a Service Ontario location in person ($12).

For the same price, we can obtain your driving record for you if you choose. You can request this in the online application form. 

See Eligibility Criteria in the FAQ for full details, or what to do if your driver’s licence has been issued in another province or country.

Application timeline

Please allow four business days for us to process your application.

As soon as you receive the email confirming approval of your application, you can start using the service without delay.