Become a Shoulder Season Driver

1. Who this is for

• Independent operators (or small teams) who move customer-owned vehicles start → end for raft, MTB or ski touring.
• Not for gig “Uber-style” passenger rides, bike-trailer people haulers, or uninsured friends with a personal policy.
• Fastest overlap with guides: many outfitters already run car shuttles — list that service once insurance and SOPs are in place.

2. Step-by-step checklist

1. Form a business entity and get an EIN if you don't have one.
2. Talk to a broker about CGL + garagekeepers + hired/non-owned auto for driving customer cars.
3. Set driver standards: valid license, MVR, background check, age/experience rules your insurer requires.
4. Write SOPs: key handoff or lockbox, pre/post photos, fuel rules, how drivers return (partner car, bike/e-bike, team of 2).
5. Draft a customer authorization / waiver and a damage/claims process.
6. Learn local put-in, trailhead and winter parking rules for the areas you'll work.
7. Apply below. We ask for insurance, license and MVR proof before listing.
8. Do not advertise paid shuttles on land that needs a commercial staging permit until you have it.

3. Business setup

• Entity: many operators use an LLC — see SBA: choose a business structure.
• EIN: free from the IRS — Apply for an EIN.
• Independent status: on Shoulder Season you are an independent business / 1099 payee, not our employee. You set methods, pricing and availability. We facilitate bookings and take a booking fee.
• Separate business bank account; keep COIs and driver files with renewal reminders.

4. Insurance

• Commercial general liability (CGL) for the business.
• Garagekeepers — damage to customer vehicles in your care, custody and control.
• Hired & non-owned auto (HNOA) — liability when driving vehicles you don't own.
• Personal auto usually excludes commercial shuttle use of customer cars. Do not rely on it.
• Ask a broker for quotes that explicitly cover “driving customer-owned vehicles for shuttle hire.” Outdoor / specialty markets (e.g. Outdoor Insurance Group) can point you to carriers; a local commercial auto broker is often the right call.
• Shoulder Season will ask for a current certificate before listing; we may ask to be certificate holder when our broker requires it.

5. License, MVR & how drivers return

• Every driver: valid license for the vehicle class; written MVR pull; background check; meet insurer age/experience rules.
• Keep copies on file; re-check MVRs on a schedule your broker recommends.
• Return logistics (no passenger fare): partner/chase car, bike or e-bike back, or a team of 2 where one drives the customer car and the other follows — arranged so you are not selling rides to the public. Carrying paying passengers is outside this product.

6. Keys, photos, waiver & claims

• Key handoff / lockbox: signed authorization, key/fob inventory, lockbox codes, who may drive, when keys are returned.
• Condition checklist + photos: timestamped shots of all sides, wheels/tires, windshield, interior overview, odometer and fuel at pickup and drop-off; note existing damage before you roll.
• Customer waiver / authorization: permission to drive, route limits, no unauthorized stops or extra drivers, fuel expectations, how to report issues.
• Damage & claims: written steps — secure the scene if needed, document, notify customer and your insurer promptly, and tell Shoulder Season if the booking came through us.

7. Local & winter rules

• Respect put-in / take-out and trailhead parking time limits, overnight bans and fee lots.
• Some land units list or permit commercial shuttle staging (example: BLM Moab permitted hiking & biking shuttles PDF). Check BLM SRPs / local ranger districts when in doubt.
• Winter / ski touring: winter tires or adequate traction; carry chains where required; check road closures and avalanche-control gates; confirm trailhead parking permits before you commit.
• Utah motor-carrier context (if your ops grow or cross into other transport): UDOT USDOT / FMCSA registration · UDOT operating authority — still, this product is vehicle-only car shuttle, not passenger carriage.

8. Taxes

• Track income; expect self-employment tax if you're a sole prop / disregarded LLC.
• Once payouts are live we may issue 1099-NEC or 1099-K as required. Collect sales/tourism tax if your state taxes shuttle services.
• Get a CPA for your state — this page is not tax advice.

9. What we require before listing

• Proof of insurance (CGL + garagekeepers and/or HNOA as applicable) with adequate limits for your work.
• Valid driver's license for each listed driver.
• Recent MVR (or insurer-acceptable equivalent) for each listed driver.
• Clear service area and activity types (raft / MTB / ski touring).
• We may pause listings if documents expire.