Eligibility

In order to qualify for a carpool permit, each member of your carpool must meet all of the eligibility requirements for the Commute Club and must not already have a permit or be receiving Clean Air Cash.

Carpoolers who are not eligible for the Commute Club (such as night- and evening-shift employees or employees at selected off-campus sites) DO NOT QUALIFY for Stanford carpool permits or Carpool Credit. However, they are welcome to use the Stanford Ridematching Service to find "unofficial" carpool partners. Commute Club rewards are available to employees at the 3145 Porter Drive worksite, Stanford Menlo Park site, and selected Welch Road buildings through a pilot program. Questions about eligibility can be directed to commuteclub@stanford.edu.

Forming your carpool

If you don't already have your carpool partners in mind, you can utilize the Stanford Ridematching Service to find potential carpool partners to share your commute. After you register and provide your departure location and work schedule, you will receive contact information of other Stanford commuters with similar commutes who are interested in carpooling.

If you have questions about the service, or if it does not lead to a match for you, please feel free to contact us at commuteclub@stanford.edu. We can advise you of the best alternatives available.

In the event that you are unable to find a carpool partner, please feel free to contact our office for further assistance. We can advise you of the best alternatives available.

Applying for a carpool permit

To apply for a carpool permit, download and complete the carpool permit application. Each carpool member must meet the eligibility requirements for the Commute Club, and each member must complete and sign the application.

Your carpool must appoint a "Primary Carpool Member" who will be responsible for the permit. If there is a balance due for the permit after applying members' Carpool Credit, the primary carpool member is the only member who can pay for the balance using pre-tax payroll deduction.

Once your application is complete, bring it to our office at 340 Bonair Siding and we can issue you the permit. Alternatively, mail it to us at 340 Bonair Siding, Stanford, CA 94305-7255 (or MC: 7255) and we will notify you when your permit is ready to be picked up.

If your carpool changes

If your carpool situation changes (a member leaves, or a new member is added) a new permit must be issued. Just bring the old Carpool permit into the office and complete a new application. If your carpool ends, you must return your carpool permit. If you have further questions about carpooling, call us at 723-9362 or email us at commuteclub@stanford.edu.

Please note: Fraudulent enrollment in a Stanford carpool is a violation of Stanford's program. The employee(s) will immediately forfeit Commute Club privileges and are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or expulsion.

If your carpool grows

If your carpool is successful and you have several other individuals interested in joining it, you may consider starting a vanpool. Read more about starting a vanpool in our Vanpool section.

In case of an emergency

"But what if my child gets sick and I have to leave immediately?"
"But what if my carpool driver needs to work late?"
"But what if my neighbor calls to tell me my house is on fire?!"

The answer to these and other issues is Stanford's free Emergency Ride Home program. You are automatically enrolled in ERH as a carpooler and Commute Club member.