Legal
Vessel Taxi LLC — Last updated: November 13, 2026
This Driver Agreement (the “Agreement”) governs how Vessel Taxi LLC (“Vessel”) communicates with me, when and how Vessel charges my payment method for ride dispatch, and the basic terms of my relationship with Vessel as an independent driver. By checking the “I have reviewed and agree to the Vessel Driver Agreement” box during driver signup at vesselrides.co, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to each of the following terms.
If I opt in to Vessel SMS — an optional, separate checkbox during signup — I consent to receive automated text messages from Vessel at the mobile number I provide: ride offers (dispatch broadcasts), claim confirmations, and trip status updates. Message frequency varies (typically 0–15 per day depending on ride volume). Message and data rates may apply. SMS opt-in is optional and is never required to become or remain a Vessel driver.
I may opt out of Vessel messages at any time by replying STOP, CANCEL, QUIT, END, or UNSUBSCRIBE to any Vessel SMS. Opting out will remove me from the active driver pool, and I will not receive ride opportunities until I opt back in by contacting Vessel directly. Opting out of text messages does not close my account, and dispatch fees for rides I already claimed remain due (see Section 3). I may reply HELP at any time for assistance, or contact Vessel at founder@vesselrides.co.
Fees. I agree to pay Vessel a dispatch fee of $5.00 USD for each ride I claim. There is no monthly subscription and no sign-up fee, and I am not charged for a month in which I claim no rides.
When I am charged. My dispatch fees add up and are charged together once a month, on the same day each month, starting one month after I sign up (for example, if I sign up on March 5, my first charge is on April 5, for the rides I claimed from March 5 through April 4). If I claimed no rides since my last charge, I am not charged.
Dispatch fee. The dispatch fee is incurred at the moment my claim (texting back the ride’s claim code) is processed and the ride is assigned to me, not when the ride is completed. It is non-refundable, including when the rider later cancels, does not show, or the ride is otherwise not completed. This reflects that Vessel’s work of identifying and matching the ride opportunity has already been performed.
Payment authorization. I authorize Vessel to charge the payment method I keep on file once a month, on the same day each month, on a recurring basis until I close my account, for the dispatch fees for rides I claimed since my last charge.
Failed payments. If a charge fails, Vessel will notify me and retry it per Stripe’s standard retry policy. If it is still unpaid after the retries, my account is placed on payment hold and I will not receive ride opportunities until the balance is paid. Paying the balance restores my account. I can update my card from my driver account at vesselrides.co/account.
Closing my account. I may close my account at any time from my driver account at vesselrides.co/account, by emailing founder@vesselrides.co, or by calling (574) 500-2223. After that I no longer receive ride opportunities. Dispatch fees for rides I already claimed remain due and are charged to my card no later than my next monthly charge date.
Fee changes. Vessel may change these fees with at least 30 days’ notice by email.
I am an independent contractor and not an employee, agent, or partner of Vessel. I set my own schedule, choose which rides to accept by replying with a ride’s claim code, use my own vehicle, and am solely responsible for my own taxes and for compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to me as a paid driver.
I represent and warrant that I maintain auto insurance with a livery, for-hire, or commercial endorsement appropriate to using my vehicle for paid transportation. I will provide proof of insurance to Vessel and will notify Vessel within 30 days of any change, cancellation, or non-renewal of that coverage. I understand that Vessel is not responsible for accidents, injuries, or property damage that occur during rides.
Before I receive ride opportunities, I will upload clear, current photos or copies of: (a) my valid driver’s license; (b) my auto insurance ID card or declarations page; and (c) the registration for the vehicle I will use. I confirm that the documents I upload are genuine, current, and my own, and I will upload replacements promptly, from my driver account or by contacting Vessel, if any of them expires, changes, or is cancelled. Vessel stores these documents with my driver record and uses them only to confirm that I am licensed and insured, as described in the Privacy Policy. Vessel may pause ride opportunities to me while a required document is missing, unreadable, or out of date. Vessel’s review of my documents does not make Vessel responsible for my driving, my vehicle, or my insurance coverage.
I understand that calls to or from Vessel’s dispatch line may be recorded for quality, training, and dispute-resolution purposes.
I understand that my consent to receive automated SMS messages from Vessel is not required as a condition of any purchase or other service from Vessel.
Vessel publishes a recommended fare on vesselrides.co: $1.75 per loaded mile for a car, minivan, or SUV; $2.50 per loaded mile for a 15-passenger van; and $15.00 per hour for waiting time. This is guidance only — Vessel does not set, require, or process the fare charged between me and the rider, and the final fare is always my determination, since Vessel cannot always know a trip’s stops or total mileage in advance. By claiming a ride, I agree to make a good-faith effort to stay close to Vessel’s published recommended fare. I understand that Vessel may consider a pattern of rider complaints about fares significantly outside this guidance when deciding whether to keep me active in the driver pool.
This Agreement is accepted electronically. By checking the “I have reviewed and agree to the Vessel Driver Agreement” box during driver signup at vesselrides.co, I accept these terms with the same effect as a handwritten signature. Vessel records the name, phone number, email address, and date I provide at signup as evidence of my acceptance.
— End of Driver Agreement —