Terms & Conditions
Please read these terms carefully before using RideLynk
Last Updated: May 4, 2026
📋 1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using the RideLynk website, mobile application, or any related services (collectively, the "Services"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Services.
These Terms apply to all users of the Services, including riders who request transportation and drivers who provide transportation services.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and RideLynk. Please read them carefully.
✅ 2. Eligibility & Accounts
To use RideLynk, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age, or between 13–17 with verified parental consent through our RideLynk for Teens program
- Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract
- Not be located in a country subject to United States trade sanctions
- Not have been previously banned from RideLynk
When you create an account, you agree to:
- Provide accurate, current, and complete information
- Maintain the security of your password and account
- Immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account
- Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.
🧍 4. Rider Responsibilities
When riders request a ride, they agree to:
- Provide a valid pickup location accessible by vehicle
- Be ready at the pickup location at the designated time
- Not exceed the vehicle's passenger or luggage capacity
- Not engage in illegal, dangerous, or disruptive behavior
- Pay all fares, tolls, fees, and surcharges associated with the trip
If a rider cancels after the cancellation window (2–5 minutes after matching with a driver), or fails to show up, a cancellation fee may apply. If a rider makes a mess requiring special cleaning, a cleanup fee of up to $150 may be charged.
🚗 5. Driver Responsibilities
When drivers accept a trip, they agree to:
- Proceed to the pickup location promptly
- Not cancel trips unreasonably
- Complete the trip to the dropoff location shown in the app unless the rider changes destination
- Not charge riders additional fees outside the app
- Comply with all applicable laws including traffic laws, local transportation regulations, and taxi or rideshare licensing where required
- Maintain valid vehicle registration, insurance, and inspection documents at all times
- Not discriminate against riders based on race, religion, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics
- Transport service animals at all times as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Keep vehicles clean, safe, and in good working condition
- Not accept street hails — all trips must come through the RideLynk app
💳 6. Payments & Earnings
For Riders: Fares are calculated based on base fare, distance traveled, time elapsed, surge pricing during high demand, tolls, and booking fees. RideLynk provides an upfront fare estimate before confirming a ride, although the final fare may adjust if the rider changes the destination or takes an unexpected route. Riders must maintain a valid Stripe payment method on file.
For Drivers: Earnings are calculated based on base fare, per-mile rate, per-minute rate, surge pricing, and tips — minus a service fee typically between 15–25% of the rider's fare. 100% of rider tips go directly to drivers. Drivers receive weekly direct deposit via Stripe Connect, or may use Instant Pay to cash out up to 5 times per day for a small fee.
Drivers are responsible for paying all applicable taxes including income tax and self-employment tax. RideLynk will issue a Form 1099-K if earnings exceed the reporting threshold.
⭐ 7. Ratings System
- After each trip, both riders and drivers may rate each other on a scale of 1–5 stars
- Ratings are anonymous and cannot be altered once submitted
- Riders must maintain a minimum average rating of 4.0 stars to continue using the platform
- Drivers must also maintain a minimum average rating of 4.0 stars
- Persistent low ratings may result in account deactivation
🚫 8. Prohibited Conduct
All users agree not to:
- Harass, abuse, or threaten other users
- Damage or vandalize vehicles
- Engage in illegal activity such as drug trafficking or human trafficking
- Use RideLynk for fraudulent purposes such as false claims or chargeback abuse
- Reverse engineer or copy the app software
- Create multiple accounts to bypass account suspensions
Drivers additionally may not:
- Solicit or accept payment outside the RideLynk app
- Use the app while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Operate an unsafe or uninsured vehicle
- Carry additional passengers not booked through the app
- Ask riders for tips verbally or pressure them
- Engage in any sexual or inappropriate conduct
Violation of these prohibitions may result in immediate account termination and legal action.
🛡️ 9. Safety Features
RideLynk includes several safety features:
- Share My Trip: Allows riders to send live trip tracking to trusted contacts
- Emergency Button: Connects directly to 911 with location data shared automatically
- RideCheck: Detects unexpected route deviations or long stops and prompts the user to confirm safety
- Two-Factor Authentication: For account login security
RideLynk does not guarantee safety. In an emergency, always call 911 first.
⚖️ 10. Liability & Indemnification
To the maximum extent permitted by law, RideLynk is not liable for any injuries, damages, losses, or expenses arising from your use of the Services or from the acts or omissions of third-party drivers.
- Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount you paid for the specific trip, or $100, whichever is less
- For drivers, liability is limited to earnings paid in the 3 months preceding the claim or $500, whichever is less
- We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages including lost profits, lost data, or emotional distress
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless RideLynk, its officers, directors, employees, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses — including reasonable legal fees — arising from your violation of these Terms, your violation of any law or third-party rights, your use of the Services, or any dispute between you and another user.
🏛️ 11. Dispute Resolution
For users in the United States, any dispute arising out of these Terms shall be resolved through binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules.
- You agree to bring claims only in your individual capacity — class actions and representative actions are not permitted
- Before filing a claim, you must attempt to resolve the dispute informally by contacting support@ridelynk.com
- You may opt out of this arbitration agreement within 30 days of creating your account by emailing arbitration-optout@ridelynk.com
- Either party may bring an individual claim in small claims court instead of arbitration
For users outside the United States, disputes shall be resolved in the courts of your country of residence where required by law.
🔄 12. Termination & Changes
RideLynk may suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without cause, and without prior notice. Grounds for termination include violation of these Terms, fraud or abuse, low driver ratings, or request by law enforcement.
You may delete your account at any time through the app settings. Upon termination, your right to use the Services ends immediately, but sections related to liability, indemnification, arbitration, and payment obligations survive termination.
We may update these Terms from time to time and will notify you of material changes via email or in-app notification. Continued use of the Services after changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California without regard to conflict-of-law principles, except where local consumer protection laws apply for users outside the United States.
