The best way to rent a car in the Kootenays: FAQ

Better to know before you go!

Not a member yet?

How long does it take to process membership applications?

This depends on your local coordinator’s availability.

How do I book a car? 

Your login information will have been provided to you in your Kootenay Carshare welcome email.
Log in to the booking calendar by clicking the “Member Login” text in the top right of your screen.
It looks just like the example image above.

How do I access the keys for the vehicles?

Each vehicle’s keys are located in a lock box on the vehicle’s window (or on the house where the vehicle is located). Lock box on the window of a Kootenay Carshare Co-op vehicle lock box on the house for a Kootenay Carshare Co-op Vehicle. Once you are a member you will know the code to open the lock boxes and access the keys. If you forget the code you can sign in to the booking calendar and check the announcement at the top of the page.

How do I use a child seat in the vehicles?

All of our vehicles include the LATCH child car seat installation system. Make sure you install your car seat properly and are using the appropriate car seat for your child’s age, height and weight. For more information see www.childseatinfo.ca or ICBC’s brochure on child car seats.

What if I get a flat tire or need roadside assistance?

Kootenay Carshare Co-op recommends that our members get their own private BCAA roadside assistance. You only get one (1) key with your vehicle, so please ensure you are conscious of its whereabouts.

Kootenay Carshare is not responsible for towing vehicles that are stuck or getting keys out if you locked them inside.

You can call us during business hours (250.352.2033), though we cannot guarantee availability. If we or a service we call provides assistance for you, there will be a charge on your following invoice for the cost.

Think you can handle it?

Our vehicles are all equipped with spare tires, jacks and tire wrenches. If needed, members can change their tire and get back on the road. Contact your branch coordinator to have the flat tire repaired as soon as possible.
Remember to tighten the nuts in a star pattern, and work around the wheel several times tightening as hard as possible.
If you have to drive more than a couple of kilometres to get to a repair shop, then get out and tighten them the nuts again now and then. They can become loose and fall off – especially in winter driving conditions.

All vehicles are also equipped with jumper cables and emergency kits for members to use in the case of an emergency.

How do I report damage to a vehicle?

There are three levels of urgency when it comes to vehicle damages:

1) Not very urgent – These are things like the radio is not working, a fan belt is squealing intermittently or the interior light is not working. These types of issues can be recorded in the log book. Keep in mind if you are reporting damage in the log book at the beginning of the month the manager will not see it until the middle of the next month.

2) Somewhat urgent – These are things like the windshield wipers need to be replaced, crack in the windshield or a headlight is out. If it is still safe to drive the car but it needs to be looked at soon send the manager an email at [email protected] or get in touch with your local coordinator.

3) Very urgent – These are issues where the next member should not drive the car such as the seat belt does not work, flat tires or dead batteries. You MUST call the fleet coordinator on the KCC emergency cell number (250) 509-2002. If fleet coordinator not be reached right away please contact the next member who has the vehicle booked and tell them about the situation.

How do I report an accident?

If you get in an accident, call the manager at 250.352.2033 as soon as possible to report what happened.

You must also secure evidence from any witnesses, and contact the police if necessary. Make sure you get the names, addresses and phone numbers of all drivers, witnesses, police officers and emergency personnel involved.

It is mandatory to report all motor vehicle accidents that occur in BC to ICBC. This is the case even when ICBC is not the insurer for the vehicles involved. There can be financial consequences limiting victims’ rights to recovery if ICBC is not notified promptly. For this reason it is always important to report your collision to ICBC within the prescribed time limits.

You can report your collision by calling ICBC’s dial-a-claim (604-520-8222 in the Lower Mainland and 1-800-910-4222 elsewhere in BC).

You will need to provide the Kootenay Carshare Co-op with a written description of the accident and resulting damage.

After an accident, you may only continue your trip if you have received explicit permission from the manager.

Can members of my family, my partner or spouse drive too?

If you have a full membership, then yes. There is an associate membership share designed to allow the family or spouse of a full member to join the Carshare with a reduced refundable membership share of $250.00. You can request this by sending an email to [email protected].

Can I take a vehicle across the Canada/USA border?

Yes! You can take Kootenay Carshare Co-op vehicles to the USA; just make sure you bring your passport!  We will provide you with a letter of membership to the carshare to present to the border for proof of vehicle ownership.  Please give us a week’s notice to get the letter to you.  Please remember you are fully responsible for all contents of the vehicle when crossing the border. Take a look at this guide on crossing the border for details on what you can and cannot bring, to avoid issues at the border.

How do I pay my bill?

On the 15th of every month or the next business day we will email you your bill. They are due on the 10th of the following month. Invoices under $30.00 do not incur any interest! Overdue bills over $30.00 are charged 2.2%. You can pay by:

Mailing a cheque to us at:
#310-622 FRONT STREET
NELSON, BC,
V1L 4B7

Depositing the amount at your local credit union or transferring funds from your Credit Union account. We are set up as a biller only for Credit Unions. Look for our name on the list. The account will be under your name.

Paying online through INTERAC e-transfers via your bank. Please send to [email protected].  We are set up to automatic deposit so no need for a password. 

Paying by credit card, through Plastiq https://www.plastiq.com/ (just note that they charge you 2.5% to use your credit card)

In Person: Nelson

• Mail a cheque to our PO Box at #310 622 Front Street, Nelson, BC V1L 4B7
• Go to the Nelson and District Credit Union (501 Vernon Street) and deposit the amount at any teller.  To do this you will need to provide them with our account number: 327262 .  Make sure you tell the teller to attach a note to the deposit with your name so we know who the money came from.
• If you bank with the Nelson and District Credit Union, you can electronically deposit the amount into our account.  The number is:  22010-809-50-032-726-2
• If you pay by transferring funds from your account through the internet or telephone banking, only your account number is shown on the Co-op bank statement. In order to know who sent this money please send an email to us at [email protected] with the amount paid, the date and your account number. This will only have to be done once as the Co-op will keep a record of your account number to refer to for future deposits.

In Person: Revelstoke

• Go to the Revelstoke Credit Union and deposit the amount at any teller.  To do this you will need to provide them with our account number: 319459. Make sure you ask the teller to attach a note to the deposit with your name so we know who the money came from. 
• If you also have an account at the Revelstoke Credit Union and have internet or telephone banking arrangements you can complete a form at the Credit Union which will allow you to transfer funds from your account to the Carshare account, number above.
• If you pay by transferring funds from your account through the internet or telephone banking, only your account number is shown on the Co-op bank statement. In order to know who sent this money please send an email to us at [email protected] with the amount paid, the date and your account number. This will only have to be done once as the Co-op will keep a record of your account number to refer to for future deposits.

In Person: Kaslo and Kimberley

• Go to Kootenay Savings Credit Union and deposit the amount at any teller.  To do this you will need to provide them with our account number: 1276070, Masterplan, please note that our account is with the Kimberley Branch. Make sure you ask the teller to attach a note to the deposit with your name so we know who the money came from.
• If you also have an account at Kootenay Savings Credit Union and have internet or telephone banking arrangements you can complete a form at the Credit Union which will allow you to transfer funds from your account to the Carshare account, number above.
• If you pay by transferring funds from your account through the internet or telephone banking, only your account number is shown on the Co-op bank statement. In order to know who sent this money please send an email to us at [email protected] with the amount paid, the date and your account number. This will only have to be done once as the Co-op will keep a record of your account number to refer to for future deposits.

How do I become more involved in the Co-op?

Give your local coordinator a call to find out about volunteer opportunities. We are always looking for keen members to help out! Also, consider joining our board of directors to help shape the direction the co-op is going.

How do I meet my car-mates?

Kootenay Carshare hosts its annual AGM, which all members are invited to attend, and on occasion membership meetings and events throughout the year, giving you the opportunity to get to know one another. Getting to know your car-mates will expose you to a whole new network of potential friends, carpool opportunities and people to split the costs of a trip with through ride sharing.

How do I leave the carshare?

To foster a stable membership base, new members must be prepared to join for at least 6 months. If you have been a member for over 6 months and decide to leave must send the manager an email requesting your membership refund. The process for refunds is as follows:

• You are still a member for the month in which you requested your cancellation.
• Once billing is completed for your last month reimbursement cheques are put together.
• Our membership agreement states we have 90 days to refund membership from the time request (however it is usually under 60).
• If you update your address on your account we will mail your refund cheque minus any outstanding payments.
• If you have not been a member for six months you can get your membership share refund with additional penalties, $6.00 for each month left plus $20 administration fee.