Effective date: July 2026 | Version 2.0 | Updated to include identity verification terms

Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the HitchaRide platform. By creating an account or using our services, you agree to be bound by these terms. Please read them carefully before using HitchaRide.

1. About HitchaRide

HitchaRide is an online marketplace platform operated as a sole trader business registered in Australia. HitchaRide connects people who need to send parcels ("Senders") with everyday drivers who are already travelling along a relevant route ("Drivers"). HitchaRide acts solely as an intermediary marketplace and is not a licensed freight carrier, courier company, or transport operator.

Important: HitchaRide does not employ Drivers, own vehicles, or take physical possession of any parcels. All delivery arrangements are made directly between Senders and Drivers through the platform.

2. Eligibility and account registration

2.1 General eligibility

To use HitchaRide you must:

Be at least 18 years of age
Be a resident of Australia
Have a valid email address and Australian mobile number
Agree to these Terms and Conditions in full
Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement

2.2 Driver eligibility

In addition to the general eligibility requirements above, Drivers must:

Hold a current and valid Australian driver's licence
Own or have lawful access to a roadworthy motor vehicle
Hold a current comprehensive motor vehicle insurance policy
Not have any criminal convictions relating to fraud, theft, violence, or drug offences
Comply with all applicable Australian road laws during deliveries
Successfully complete HitchaRide's identity verification process before accepting their first job

2.3 Account accuracy

You agree to provide accurate, complete, and current information when registering an account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. Notify HitchaRide immediately if you suspect unauthorised access to your account.

3. How the platform works

HitchaRide operates as a two-sided marketplace:

Senders post delivery jobs by providing pickup address, dropoff address, item description, item size, time window, and the platform-calculated price.
Drivers log their planned driving route and available time window. When a posted job matches their route and time window, they receive a notification and may choose to accept or decline the job.
HitchaRide does not guarantee that a Driver will be found for every job, nor that a Sender will be available for every Driver. The platform facilitates connections but does not guarantee outcomes.

4. Identity verificationNew in v2.0

HitchaRide requires identity verification for all Drivers and, for high-value deliveries, Senders. This is to protect all users of the platform and maintain community trust.

4.1 Driver identity verification

All Drivers must complete identity verification before accepting their first delivery job on HitchaRide. Verification is mandatory and non-negotiable. Drivers who do not complete verification will not be permitted to accept jobs.

The verification process requires:

A photograph or scan of a current Australian Driver's licence (front and back)
A live selfie for facial biometric matching against the licence photo
Liveness detection to confirm the selfie is from a live person

Verification is processed by Stripe Identity, a third-party identity verification provider. By submitting your identity documents, you consent to Stripe Identity processing your personal information and biometric data for the purpose of verifying your identity. Stripe's Privacy Policy is available at stripe.com/privacy.

Successfully verified Drivers will display an "ID Verified" badge on their profile visible to Senders. Verification status is not transferable between accounts.

4.2 Sender identity verification

Senders are required to verify their email address and mobile number at registration. For delivery jobs involving items disclosed as being valued over $100, HitchaRide may require Senders to also complete full identity verification via the same process as Drivers before the job can be posted.

4.3 Document Verification Service

Identity documents submitted for verification may be checked against the Australian Government's Document Verification Service (DVS), which confirms whether a licence or identity document is genuine and current. By submitting your identity documents, you consent to this check being performed.

4.4 Verification failures

If your identity verification is unsuccessful, you will be notified and given the opportunity to retry once with corrected documents. If verification cannot be completed after two attempts, your account will be placed under review. HitchaRide reserves the right to permanently restrict accounts where identity cannot be verified.

4.5 Data handling

HitchaRide does not store raw identity documents or biometric data on its own servers. This data is processed and stored by Stripe Identity in accordance with their privacy policy and applicable Australian law. HitchaRide retains only your verification status (verified / not verified) and the date verification was completed.

5. Sender terms

5.1 Declaration of goods

By posting a delivery job, the Sender declares and warrants that:

The item description provided is accurate and complete
The item does not contain illegal drugs, narcotics, or controlled substances
The item does not contain weapons, firearms, ammunition, or explosives
The item does not contain dangerous goods or hazardous materials including flammable, toxic, corrosive, or radioactive substances
The item does not contain live or deceased animals
The item does not contain human remains or biological material
The item does not contain stolen goods or items obtained illegally
The item does not contain counterfeit or pirated goods
The item does not contain cash, gift cards, or negotiable instruments with a combined value exceeding $100
The item does not contain pornographic or offensive material
The item does not contain perishable food items unless disclosed and agreed to by the Driver in writing via the platform
The item does not contain any item prohibited under Australian federal or state law

5.2 Packaging obligations

Senders must ensure all items are adequately packaged to prevent damage during ordinary transit and to avoid posing any risk to the Driver, their vehicle, or any third party.

5.3 Photo requirement

Senders are required to upload at least one photograph of the item before submitting a delivery job. This photograph must accurately represent the item being sent.

5.4 Value limit

HitchaRide is not a licensed freight carrier and carries no liability for items. Senders acknowledge that:

HitchaRide accepts no liability for loss or damage to any item regardless of value
Senders are strongly encouraged not to send items valued over $100 without arranging separate insurance
HitchaRide recommends Senders arrange their own transit insurance for higher-value items

6. Driver terms

6.1 Driver responsibilities

Drivers agree to:

Only accept jobs they can genuinely complete within the stated time window
Inspect items at pickup and photograph them before placing them in their vehicle
Handle all items with reasonable care during transit
Comply with all Australian road laws during the delivery
Deliver items only to the confirmed dropoff address listed in the job
Photograph the delivered item at the dropoff location as proof of delivery
Not open, tamper with, or inspect the contents of any sealed parcel beyond reasonable external inspection
Maintain a current and valid Australian driver's licence for the duration of their time on the platform
Notify HitchaRide immediately if their driver's licence is suspended, cancelled, or expires

6.2 Right to refuse

Drivers have the right to refuse to collect or continue a delivery at any time if they reasonably believe the item does not match its description, may contain prohibited or dangerous goods, or raises safety concerns. A Driver who refuses on reasonable grounds will not be penalised.

6.3 Driver insurance

Drivers are solely responsible for ensuring they hold adequate motor vehicle insurance that covers their vehicle and its use for the purpose of delivering parcels via HitchaRide. HitchaRide accepts no liability for damage to a Driver's vehicle or any third party arising during a delivery.

7. Pricing and payments

7.1 Pricing

Delivery prices are calculated automatically by HitchaRide based on a base fare, distance rate per kilometre, and item size surcharge. The price displayed at job posting is the total price charged.

7.2 Platform fee

HitchaRide charges a platform fee of 15% on each completed delivery. Drivers receive 85% of the total delivery price.

7.3 Payment processing

All payments are processed via Stripe. Senders are charged at the time of job posting. Funds are held in escrow until delivery is confirmed.

7.4 Driver payouts

Driver payouts are processed after delivery confirmation, subject to Stripe's standard processing times.

7.5 Refunds and cancellations

Senders may cancel at no charge before a Driver accepts the job
Cancellation by the Sender after a Driver accepts may incur a fee of up to 50% of the delivery price
If a Driver cancels after accepting, the Sender receives a full refund
Disputed deliveries are subject to HitchaRide's dispute resolution process

8. Liability and indemnity

8.1 Platform liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Australian law, HitchaRide accepts no liability for loss, damage, theft, or delay of any parcel, for the actions or omissions of any Driver or Sender, or for indirect, consequential, or economic loss of any kind.

8.2 Sender indemnity

Senders agree to indemnify HitchaRide and all Drivers against any claims arising from breach of the declaration of goods, misrepresentation of item contents or value, or inadequate packaging causing damage or injury.

8.3 Driver indemnity

Drivers agree to indemnify HitchaRide and Senders against any claims arising from negligent handling or delivery of items, traffic offences or accidents during a delivery, or breach of these terms.

9. Prohibited conduct

Users must not use HitchaRide for any unlawful purpose, provide false or misleading information, arrange payments outside of the platform, harass or abuse other users, create multiple accounts to circumvent a suspension, attempt to tamper with the platform's systems, or use the platform to transport prohibited items.

10. Account suspension and termination

HitchaRide reserves the right to suspend or permanently terminate any account where a user has breached these terms, received repeated poor ratings, is suspected of fraudulent activity, has provided false information, or has failed to complete required identity verification.

11. Ratings and reviews

Both Senders and Drivers may leave ratings and reviews after a completed delivery. Users agree to provide honest and accurate ratings. HitchaRide reserves the right to remove reviews that are defamatory, false, or in breach of these terms.

12. Privacy

HitchaRide collects and handles personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. This includes the collection of identity documents and biometric data for verification purposes as described in Section 4. Full details are set out in our Privacy Policy available at hitcharide.com.au/privacy.

13. Dispute resolution

13.1 Between users

HitchaRide encourages Senders and Drivers to resolve disputes directly in the first instance. If unresolved, either party may raise a formal dispute through the platform within 48 hours of the delivery completion or expected delivery time.

13.2 HitchaRide's role

HitchaRide will review disputes in good faith based on available evidence. HitchaRide's determination is final for amounts up to $100. For higher-value disputes, users may seek resolution through the relevant Australian consumer tribunal.

14. Amendments to these terms

HitchaRide reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Users will be notified of material changes via email or in-app notification at least 14 days before changes take effect.

15. Governing law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia. Disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria.

16. Contact

For questions, complaints, or notices relating to these Terms and Conditions, please contact HitchaRide at:

Email: legal@hitcharide.com.au
Website: hitcharide.com.au