GoCar: Your Ultimate Guide to Car Sharing in Ireland

In today's fast-paced world, the traditional model of car ownership is steadily evolving. More and more individuals and businesses are turning to flexible, on-demand transport solutions. Among these, car-sharing services like GoCar have emerged as a leading choice, particularly across Ireland. Offering a convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendlier alternative to owning a vehicle or relying solely on public transport, GoCar provides access to a fleet of vehicles whenever and wherever you need them. But how exactly does this innovative service work? From booking your first trip to understanding the nuances of refuelling and returning your vehicle, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to become a confident GoCar user.

Imagine having the flexibility of a car without the burdens of insurance, NCTs, servicing, or parking woes. That's precisely what GoCar offers. With vehicles strategically located at 'GoBases' across Dublin and Cork, you're never far from your next journey. Whether it's for a quick shopping trip, a weekend getaway, or a crucial business meeting, GoCar aims to simplify your mobility. Let's delve into the specifics of how you can seamlessly integrate GoCar into your lifestyle.

Getting Started: Becoming a GoCar Member

Before you can embark on your first adventure with GoCar, you'll need to become a registered member. The process is straightforward and designed for quick approval, ensuring you can hit the road as soon as possible.

The Membership Process

To join the GoCar community, simply visit their official website, www.gocar.ie, and complete the online application form. This typically involves providing your personal details and setting up your account. Crucially, you'll need to submit a clear photo or scanned copy of your driving licence. GoCar prides itself on efficiency: if you complete your application and submit your licence before 4 PM, Monday to Friday, your personalised GoCard will often be dispatched the very same day. This GoCard is your physical key to the GoCar fleet, a smart card that grants you access to any GoCar across Ireland.

Booking Your GoCar: Flexibility at Your Fingertips

Once you're a proud GoCar member with your GoCard in hand, the entire fleet becomes accessible to you. The booking system is designed for maximum convenience, allowing you to plan your trips with ease.

How to Book

GoCars can be booked around the clock, 24/7, either online through their website or via a phone call to customer service. One of the significant advantages of GoCar is the variety of vehicles available. You can choose the most suitable GoCar for your specific needs, whether it's a compact city car for urban errands, a larger vehicle for a family trip, or even a van for moving larger items. This flexibility makes GoCar ideal for diverse uses, from spontaneous shopping excursions to meticulously planned holiday trips or essential business travel.

You have the freedom to reserve your preferred GoCar by the hour, on a daily basis, or even weekly. Bookings can be made spontaneously, just five minutes in advance if a car is available, or up to six weeks ahead for those well-organised journeys. Each GoCar is stationed at a dedicated 'GoBase' – a specific parking space – ensuring hassle-free pick-up and return near your home or workplace. These GoBases are accessible 24/7, providing unparalleled convenience.

Picking Up Your GoCar: The Seamless Start

With your booking confirmed, the next step is to locate and access your GoCar. The process is designed to be entirely self-service, eliminating the need to meet anyone or adhere to traditional rental office hours.

Arriving at Your GoBase

Five minutes before your booking is due to start, you'll receive a push notification on your phone. Click this message to open the GoCar app, and you'll see a banner prompting you to 'Locate my car'. The app will direct you to your booked GoCar. It's crucial to confirm that the registration plate number matches the one displayed on your app before proceeding. Once verified, click 'I found my car'.

Unlocking and Pre-Trip Checks

Now, it's time to unlock your GoCar. Simply hold your thumb down on the designated area in the app for five seconds as instructed. Alternatively, you can use your GoCard by holding it over the card reader on the windscreen until the light turns green, indicating the car is unlocked. Once inside, locate the keys in the keypad within the glove box. Remove the key fob and you're almost ready to go!

Before you set off, it's imperative to conduct two quick but vital checks:

1. Cleanliness Rating: Upon opening the doors, your app will prompt you to rate the GoCar's cleanliness on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being extremely dirty, 5 being spotless). Please provide an honest rating.
2. Vehicle Damage Report: This is crucial. If you discover any damage larger than a €2 coin on the exterior or interior of the GoCar, you must report it in the app. After rating cleanliness, click 'Add More Information' to describe the damage and upload photos. This step is vital to ensure you are not held responsible for pre-existing damage. If the car is not in a drivable condition due to damage, immediately call GoCar customer service on 01 844 1969 for assistance in moving your booking to another vehicle.

If you arrive and find your GoCar already unlocked, hold the door open and perform the unlocking sequence on your app as usual. Then, check that the key and fuel card are present in the glove box. If everything is in order, remove the key fob and start your trip normally. Should you encounter any issues, don't hesitate to call customer service.

Driving Your GoCar: On the Road Essentials

With the keys in hand and checks complete, it’s time to enjoy the journey. GoCar aims to make your driving experience as seamless as possible, including handling fuel, tolls, and even cross-border travel.

Fuel and Refuelling

One of the perks of GoCar membership is that fuel costs are included in your price. Each GoCar is equipped with a Circle K fuel card, conveniently located in the glove box. When the fuel tank is running low (ideally before it drops below a quarter tank to avoid a fine), simply locate a Circle K service station. Confirm the correct fuel type (petrol or diesel) from the fuel cap, and fill up to a maximum daily value of €100. Take the fuel card into the shop and insert it like a regular credit/debit card. You'll find the PIN for the fuel card under 'Refuel Information' in your GoCar app while your trip is active.

Should you encounter any issues with the fuel card and are unable to pay, please (if possible) pay for the fuel yourself, take a photo of the receipt, and submit a request to GoCar for a full refund. If the fuel card is missing, call customer service immediately. If you are stuck and must refuel at a garage other than Circle K, GoCar may, at their discretion, issue a refund in credit to your account.

Crossing Toll Roads

Navigating tolls is also simplified with GoCar. For the M50 Toll (eFlow), the charge (€3.70 for cars, €4.70 for vans, each way, including a €0.60 admin fee) is automatically charged directly to your GoCar account at the end of your trip. This means you won't need to go online or visit a service station to pay for this specific toll. For all other toll roads, you will need to pay at the barrier as you pass through.

Driving in Northern Ireland

Unlike many car rental companies, GoCar allows you to travel across the border into Northern Ireland without incurring any extra charges. You can cross as many times as you wish, offering great flexibility for exploring the entire island of Ireland. However, it's important to be aware of a few key differences:

• Road signs are in miles, not kilometres.
• The currency is £ Sterling, not € Euro.
• Crucially, the Circle K fuel cards provided in GoCars will not work across the border, so you'll need to pay for fuel yourself and seek a refund from GoCar upon returning to the Republic of Ireland.
• You cannot take a GoCar off the island of Ireland.

Extending Your Booking

Life happens, and sometimes your plans change. If you need to extend your GoCar booking, you can do so online, via the app, or by calling the customer service centre. However, be aware that extensions are subject to availability. If you receive an error warning when attempting to extend, it likely means another booking is scheduled immediately after yours. In such cases, it's vital to make your way back to the GoBase as soon as possible and inform GoCar of your estimated return time. Late returns can result in an additional fine of €25 and can significantly inconvenience other members. Punctuality is greatly appreciated.

Accidents, Breakdowns, and Emergencies

In the unlikely event of an accident or breakdown, it's important to know what to do. Your safety is paramount. If you are involved in a collision, follow these steps:

1. Do not admit liability: Do not agree to settle costs for damages to any vehicles involved. GoCar's insurance team will handle communications with involved parties.
2. Exchange details: Capture the registration of the other vehicle(s) and exchange insurance details with the third party.
3. Take photographs: Document the scene of the incident and any damages on the vehicles. Do not move vehicles if it's unsafe to do so.
4. Contact Garda: If there are any injuries, contact the Gardaí. Note the station called, the Garda's name, and the pulse ID for your file.
5. Contact GoCar: Call GoCar immediately on 01 844 1969. A representative will log your claim and provide a reference number and an accident report form via email.
6. Follow up: A claims handler will be assigned to process your file according to GoCar's damage and insurance policy.

If your GoCar breaks down, call 01 844 1969 immediately. If there's no answer, leave a voicemail, and GoCar will call you back as soon as possible.

Returning Your GoCar: The End of Your Journey

Bringing your GoCar journey to a close is just as simple as starting it. The aim is to return the vehicle efficiently and ensure it's ready for the next member.

The Return Process

When your trip is finished, simply return the GoCar to the same GoBase from which you picked it up. Replace the keys securely into the keypad in the glove box. Then, use your GoCard or the GoCar app to lock the vehicle. Hold your GoCard over the windscreen reader until the light turns red, or hold your thumb down on the app for five seconds to lock the car. Once locked, you can simply walk away. GoCar will send you one easy, all-inclusive monthly bill for your usage, which is debited from your account. You can add notes to bookings for personal budgeting or company billing.

Troubleshooting Locking Issues

Occasionally, you might encounter an issue with locking your GoCar. Here's what to do:

1. Basic Check: Ensure all vehicle doors and the boot are fully closed, and the data fob is correctly re-inserted into the keypad in the glove box. Then, try the locking sequence on the app again.
2. Access Card Backup: If you have an access card registered (more on this below), hold it over the card reader in the windscreen until the light turns red.
3. App Refresh Trick: If the above fails and your GoCar doesn't have a card reader or is still not locking, book the car again for an hour and immediately start and end the trip. The trip will be automatically refunded as long as the vehicle hasn't moved.
4. Contact Support: If the GoCar still won't lock, contact the customer services team on 01 844 1969. Never leave a GoCar unlocked; doing so may result in being blocked from using the service.

When You Can't Find Parking at the GoBase

On rare occasions, you might find that your designated GoBase is occupied by a non-GoCar vehicle, or you simply cannot find parking at the exact spot. In such a scenario, you must legally park the GoCar as close as possible to the GoBase you are returning to. After you end the trip, it's crucial to inform GoCar of the vehicle's exact parking location, referencing a road name and/or a nearby place of interest (e.g., 'across the road from the Spar shop' or 'beside the bank'). You can provide this information via email or their social media channels. Be aware that parking illegally, which results in the car being clamped or towed, will lead to the specific clamp/tow retrieval penalty being charged to your account, plus a €25 call-out fee.

The GoCard and Access Card: Your Keys to Convenience

Your GoCard is your primary access tool, but GoCar also offers an 'Access Card' feature for added peace of mind, particularly useful if you experience connectivity issues or your phone's battery dies.

Adding an Access Card

An access card can be any contactless debit/credit card or a Leap Card. No money is ever taken from your access card when you use it to open or close a GoCar. To add one:

1. Click 'Add Access Card' from the menu on the left-hand side of the GoCar app.
2. Click 'Add a card' and choose the closest available GoCar to register your card on.
3. Swipe your chosen card over the card reader on the windscreen of that GoCar until the screen on your app confirms registration.

Please note that this process cannot be completed while you are on an active trip.

Understanding GoCar Fines and Penalties

GoCar operates on a community-sharing principle, and as such, members are expected to treat the vehicles as if they were their own. This includes keeping them tidy, driving and parking responsibly, and returning them on time to the correct location. Failure to adhere to these principles may result in fines or, in severe cases, being blocked from using the service in the future. Here are some common penalties:

• Excessively dirty GoCar: A cleaning fine of €100 or more, depending on the severity.
• Getting clamped or parking recklessly: A fine ranging from €25 to €50, depending on the location.
• Late return (if another member is affected): A penalty of €25 plus 1.5 times the hourly rate.
• Leaving GoCar far from GoBase: €50 within Dublin, €100 outside Dublin.
• Leaving GoCar with less than 1/4 tank of fuel: A €25 fine.

GoCar vs. Traditional Car Rental vs. Car Ownership

To truly appreciate the value of GoCar, it's helpful to compare it with other common mobility solutions:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do I contact GoCar if I have an issue?

A: Should you encounter any issues while using GoCar, you can contact their customer service team on 01 844 1969. You can also visit their website at www.gocar.ie for support, or use the live chat feature available within the GoCar app during the start, duration, and end of your booking.

Q: What if I arrive and my GoCar isn't at the GoBase?

A: If you arrive at the specified GoBase and your booked GoCar is not there, first have a quick look down the street or around the corner, as the previous member might have had to park slightly away if the exact spot was occupied. If there's no sign of the GoCar or it appears far from where the GoBase should be, please call GoCar customer service on 01 844 1969, and a member of the team will assist you in locating it or rebooking.

Q: Do I need to clean the GoCar before returning it?

A: While you are not expected to deep-clean the car, GoCar members are expected to treat vehicles as their own by keeping them tidy. If you leave a GoCar excessively dirty, a cleaning fine of €100 or more may be applied. It's good practice to leave the car as you'd wish to find it.

Q: Can I use justuseapp if I'm a GoCar customer?

A: The provided information includes a review from a user named Elynn018 who had a negative experience with a specific app called 'justuseapp' in relation to GoCar, citing issues with vehicle charge, parking/charging, and unresponsive customer service. This review suggests that 'justuseapp' might be a third-party service or a general review platform, and not an official GoCar application. For all GoCar operations, you should rely on the official GoCar app or their direct customer service channels to ensure reliable service and support.

Conclusion

GoCar offers a truly modern and flexible approach to personal transport in Ireland. By understanding the straightforward booking process, the comprehensive inclusions like fuel and insurance, and the simple steps for pick-up and return, you can leverage this service to your full advantage. It's a system designed for convenience, offering a robust alternative to the commitments of car ownership or the limitations of traditional rentals. Embrace the ease of access, the variety of vehicles, and the transparent pricing that GoCar provides, and enjoy the freedom of the road, on your terms.

If you want to read more articles similar to GoCar: Your Ultimate Guide to Car Sharing in Ireland, you can visit the Automotive category.