Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Carpool-Q

Getting Started
What is Carpool-Q?

Carpool-Q is a real-time carpool coordination app for families. It replaces group texts and spreadsheets with a shared schedule that everyone can see and edit. You'll know who's driving every day, get reminders before pickups, and receive alerts if a driver is needed.

How do I create a carpool?

Tap "Get Started," name your carpool, set the destination, pick the days and times, then add your drivers and passengers. It takes about 2 minutes. You'll get an invite code to share with other families.

How do other families join my carpool?

Share your 6-character invite code with them — text, email, in person, however you like. They enter the code in the app and they're in immediately. No approval process needed.

Can I have multiple carpools?

Yes — unlimited carpools are included. School runs, soccer practice, swim team, music lessons. Create as many as you need and switch between them with one tap.

Do I need to install anything?

Carpool-Q is a web app that works in your phone's browser. You can add it to your home screen for a native app experience — no app store download required. App Store and Google Play versions are coming soon.

Are all passengers assumed to be riding by default?

Yes. Every passenger in the carpool is assumed to be riding each scheduled day. If someone won't be riding, just mark them as an exception for that day — everyone will see the warning icon and the notes.

Pricing & Billing
How much does Carpool-Q cost?

$1.99/month. That's it. All features included — no tiers, no upsells, no hidden fees. Every new account starts with a 14-day free trial.

Is there a free trial?

Yes — every new account gets a 14-day free trial with full access to all features. No credit card required to start. You'll only be asked to subscribe when the trial ends.

Can I cancel anytime?

Absolutely. Cancel anytime from your Settings page — no contracts, no cancellation fees. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period.

Does each parent need their own subscription?

Each household only needs one subscription. The subscriber can add one adult (spouse or co-parent) with full access, plus unlimited children with view-only access — all at no extra cost.

Features
What happens if no driver is assigned for a day?

Carpool-Q sends driver shortage alerts at 10AM and 6PM the day before. Everyone in the carpool gets notified so someone can volunteer before it's too late.

Can two parents edit the schedule at the same time?

Carpool-Q uses a smart locking system to prevent conflicts. If one parent is editing a time slot, others will see it's locked and can't make changes until it's released. This prevents overwritten data and confusion.

What are one-off trips?

Sometimes you need an extra ride that's not on the regular schedule — a field trip, a makeup practice, an early dismissal. You can add one-off trips to any week without changing the recurring schedule.

What notifications will I get?

Driver reminders before your scheduled pickups and dropoffs, driver shortage alerts when tomorrow needs volunteers, and a daily summary of the next day's schedule every morning. All delivered as push notifications.

What does "view-only" mean for child accounts?

Children added to a family plan can see the carpool schedule — who's driving, what time, any notes — but they can't edit the schedule, create carpools, or change settings. It's perfect for teens who just need to know when they're getting picked up.

Privacy & Security
Is my data safe?

Yes. Carpool-Q uses Firebase (powered by Google Cloud) with encrypted connections. Your data is stored securely and only accessible to you and your carpool members. We never sell or share your personal information.

Who can see my carpool schedule?

Only members of your carpool can see that carpool's schedule. Each carpool is private and requires an invite code to join.

Can I delete my account?

Yes. Email us at carpoolq.app@gmail.com and we'll permanently delete your account and all associated data. We're also working on a self-service account deletion feature.

Still have questions?

Can't find what you're looking for? Email us at carpoolq.app@gmail.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.