Terms of Service

Last updated: April 25, 2026

NOT A THERAPY OR MEDICAL SERVICE. MindRide drivers are trained Mental Health Advocate companion drivers, NOT therapists, counselors, doctors, or medical professionals. They do not provide therapy, diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911 immediately.

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the MindRide mobile app, website, and services ("Service"). By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

1. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use MindRide as a rider or driver. By using the Service, you represent that you are 18 or older and have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement.

2. Nature of the Service

MindRide is a transportation marketplace that connects:

Riders seeking transportation paired with a trained companion driver
Independent driver-companions who provide both the ride and trained companion presence (Mental Health Advocate certified, with companion-presence and crisis-ready response training)

Drivers are independent contractors, not MindRide employees. MindRide does not provide transportation directly; we operate a platform that facilitates rides between riders and independent drivers.

Companion drivers are NOT therapists. They will not diagnose, treat, or provide professional mental-health care. They will listen, hold space, and may suggest professional resources. They are required to call 911 or another emergency service if a rider appears to be in immediate danger.

3. Account Registration

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information
You are responsible for keeping your password and account secure
You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account
Notify us immediately of unauthorized use

4. Payment Terms

Fares are calculated based on distance at $2.00 per mile (standard) and $2.50 per mile (peak hours: 7-9 AM and 4-7 PM)
Payments are processed securely by Stripe
You authorize MindRide and Stripe to charge your selected payment method
Drivers receive 90% of the fare; MindRide retains 10% as a platform fee
Riders may add tips at their discretion (100% of tips go to the driver)
Cancellations made after the driver has been dispatched may incur a cancellation fee

5. Driver-Specific Terms

You must hold a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and personal auto insurance
You must complete and pass a background check
You must complete required certifications (Mental Health Advocate via Green Heart University, plus companion-presence and crisis-ready response training)
You are responsible for your own taxes, insurance, and business expenses as an independent contractor
You agree not to provide medical advice, therapy, or diagnosis
You agree to comply with all traffic laws and platform safety rules
You agree to maintain confidentiality of any personal information shared by riders

6. Rider Conduct

You agree not to:

Ask drivers for medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy
Bring weapons, illegal substances, or hazardous materials into the vehicle
Harass, threaten, or discriminate against drivers
Use the Service while intoxicated to a degree that creates a safety risk
Damage the driver's vehicle (you may be charged a cleaning or repair fee)

7. Safety & Crisis Situations

If a driver believes a rider may be in immediate danger of self-harm, harm to others, or in a medical emergency, the driver is authorized and may be required to:

Contact 911 or another emergency service
Take the rider to the nearest emergency room or appropriate facility
Notify MindRide safety personnel

8. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, MINDRIDE IS NOT LIABLE FOR:

Any mental-health outcome, treatment outcome, or interaction during a ride
Acts or omissions of independent driver-companions
Indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages
Lost profits, lost data, or business interruption

Our total liability for any claim arising from the Service is limited to the greater of (a) $100 or (b) the fees you paid to MindRide in the twelve (12) months prior to the claim.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold MindRide, its officers, employees, and agents harmless from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Service, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any third-party right.

11. Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

Any dispute arising from these Terms or the Service will be resolved through binding individual arbitration, not in court, except for small claims and intellectual-property disputes. You waive your right to a jury trial and to participate in a class action.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States and the state in which MindRide is incorporated, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles.

13. Audio & Recording Disclosure

MindRide does not currently record audio or video inside the vehicle. We are evaluating an optional in-vehicle audio recording feature for future release that would be intended to protect both riders and drivers in the event of a safety incident or dispute.

If and when such a feature is enabled, MindRide will: (a) provide advance notice to all affected users by email and in-app notification, (b) require both rider and driver to opt in and re-accept these Terms before any recording begins, in accordance with applicable federal and state two-party consent laws, (c) store any resulting recordings encrypted at rest, (d) access them only in response to a reported safety incident, dispute, or lawful request, (e) automatically delete them after 30 days unless flagged for an active investigation, and (f) never sell them or use them for advertising. You may request access to or deletion of any recordings about you by emailing privacy@mindride.org, subject to ongoing safety investigations and applicable law.

14. Background Checks (Drivers, FCRA Disclosure)

To apply as a MindRide driver, you must authorize MindRide and its third-party consumer reporting agency to obtain a consumer report and investigative consumer report about you, which may include criminal history, motor vehicle records, identity verification, and (where permitted) prior employment, education, and professional license verification. This disclosure is provided in compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., and applicable state law.

You have the right to: (a) request a copy of any report obtained, (b) dispute the accuracy or completeness of any information in the report directly with the reporting agency, and (c) receive a "Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act" before any adverse action is taken against you based on the report. If MindRide intends to deny your driver application based in whole or in part on a consumer report, you will be provided a pre-adverse action notice, a copy of the report, and a reasonable opportunity to dispute its accuracy.

15. Payment Processing

All payments and payouts on MindRide are processed by Stripe, Inc., a PCI-DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. MindRide does not store full payment card numbers, CVVs, or bank account credentials on its servers. Use of payment features is also subject to the Stripe Services Agreement and, for drivers receiving payouts, the Stripe Connected Account Agreement. Disputed charges should first be raised with MindRide at billing@mindride.org before initiating a chargeback with your card issuer.

16. Accessibility

MindRide is committed to making its app and website usable by people with disabilities and works toward conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. We do not discriminate against riders on the basis of disability and do not permit drivers to refuse a rider because of a service animal or assistive device, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To report an accessibility barrier or request an accommodation, email accessibility@mindride.org.

17. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account at any time for any reason, including violation of these Terms, fraud, safety concerns, or extended inactivity. You may close your account at any time by contacting us.

18. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated by email or in-app notice at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

19. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Email legal@mindride.org.

Important: These Terms of Service are provided as a starting template and do not constitute legal advice. Have them reviewed by a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction before publishing for production use, especially the arbitration, liability, and driver-classification provisions.