Member-owned car cooperative Modo is hoping to interest the next generation of drivers in car sharing by giving L drivers an opportunity to practice on their cars.
“Once they are able to drive on their own, they might consider sharing a car instead of buying a car,” explained Selena McLachlan, director of marketing and business development for Modo.
There are 19 Modo cars available for sharing in the Tri-Cities and with such a wide offering, families who sign up to be members can use them to practice driving with learners who have acquired their L license.
This gives families another affordable option, said McLachlan, who noted that not all learner drivers are young and that a growing number of families are either reducing car ownership or don’t have a personal vehicle at all.
The way it works is learners will join Modo as Green Members under a principal member’s account, who is 25 or older and has a full license.
Tying the Green Member to a principal member — with some conditions and an increased damage deposit — will help mitigate any increased risk to the co-op or its members.
Like all drivers with an L, they must be accompanied by an adult with a full license. Under Modo’s Green Member Program, this can be the principal member, or a "qualified supervisor" under ICBC licensing rules.
McLachlan said families who don’t have cars or an extra car for practice can save on insurance, including extra insurance for new drivers.
“Kids are out of school and with families doing road trips, kids can share the driving, it’s a really good time to rack up the practice hours,” McLachlan said.
