Question 1

What exactly is AVA?

Accepted Answer

AVA is a Swiss designated-driver app. When you can't drive — because you had a drink, took medication, are exhausted or simply prefer someone else at the wheel — a verified AVA driver comes to you and drives you home in your own car. You don't leave your car behind.

Question 2

How is the price calculated?

Accepted Answer

Fares are calculated by distance, calibrated per country against local taxi rates. AVA is always around 50% cheaper than an equivalent taxi ride in the same region. You see the exact fare before you confirm — no surge, no hidden fees.

Question 3

How does the 90/10 payment split work?

Accepted Answer

AVA uses a 2×10% upfront commitment model. When you request a ride, YOU pay 10% via Swiss QR-Bill. The driver ALSO pays 10% via QR-Bill before accepting. Only then is the ride confirmed — both sides have real skin in the game (no ghost cancellations). On arrival you pay the remaining 90% cash directly to the driver. Nothing goes through a card processor — your bank stays yours.

Question 4

Is it safe? How are drivers vetted?

Accepted Answer

Every AVA driver is identity-verified, holds a valid driver's licence with no recent infractions, and passes a background check before being allowed on the platform. Ride details (driver name, plate, ETA) are shown before pickup, and every trip is logged.

Question 5

Do I need a credit card?

Accepted Answer

No. AVA is intentionally card-free. You pay the driver in cash and the AVA donation via a QR-Bill scanned in your regular banking app. This keeps costs low and your financial data with your own bank.

Question 6

In which countries and cities does AVA work?

Accepted Answer

AVA launches first in Switzerland (all major cities & cantons), then progressively opens across Europe as we onboard qualified local drivers city by city. The app is designed to work worldwide once drivers are certified in each region.

Question 7

What languages does AVA speak?

Accepted Answer

The app and the public site are available in 19 languages: English, German, French, Italian, Romanian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hindi, Indonesian, Malay, Thai, Vietnamese and Swahili.

Question 8

What if I've had too much to drink to remember my address?

Accepted Answer

AVA has a one-tap "I'm here" button that auto-detects your exact GPS location — no typing addresses when you've had a drink. Your destination is set while sober: save your home address in your profile, or share your current location and let the driver help you pick a home. If you're truly incapacitated, the driver's protocol is to contact your emergency contact rather than guess.

Question 9

What about AVA Vet and AVA Silver?

Accepted Answer

AVA started for adults who had a drink, but the same principle (a trusted human at the wheel of the client's own car) applies to two more vulnerable groups: pets going to the vet (AVA Vet) and seniors who need patient, assisted rides (AVA Silver). These verticals open progressively as drivers get vertical-specific certification.

Question 10

Who is behind AVA?

Accepted Answer

AVA was founded by Bogdan Tanase in Switzerland with one goal: zero alcohol — zero drugs — behind the wheel. AVA is independent and 100% self-funded; we take no commission on the driver's cash and we work with sponsors that align with our zero-impairment mission.

Everything you wondered about AVA.

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