Last updated: May 2, 2026
By downloading, installing, or using Carva, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, do not use the app. Carva is operated by Shiftware.
Carva is a mobile application for spotting and collecting vehicles in public places. Users photograph cars, which are then identified using AI-powered recognition technology. Carva also includes social features that let users follow other spotters, react to spots with likes ("flames"), comment on spots and reply to other comments, and view a personalised feed of activity from people they follow. Carva includes free and paid subscription tiers.
You must be at least 18 years of age to use Carva. By using the Service, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old.
Carva is designed for photographing vehicles in publicly accessible locations. Photographing vehicles visible from public spaces is generally permitted under applicable law. Nevertheless, Carva automatically detects and blurs human faces and vehicle registration plates in all photos before they are stored. Original unprocessed photos are never saved.
Automatic blur uses on-device machine learning (Apple Vision on iOS, Google ML Kit on Android). In rare cases the detector may not identify a plate or face — for example on vehicles with historical plates, non-standard fonts, low light, severe angles, or scripts our model wasn't trained on. When this happens the app shows an explicit warning on the result screen and offers you to retake the photo. If you choose to save a photo where automatic blur did not apply, you confirm that (a) you have the necessary consent from any identifiable individuals in the frame, and (b) you accept responsibility for the visibility of registration plates and faces in that specific photo under your local privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for users in the European Union. Carva does not assume liability for content you choose to save and publish after this warning is shown.
The free tier allows up to 7 total scans. After that, you can either subscribe ("Carva Pro" provides 20 scans per day; "Carva Pro+" provides 50 scans per day, Pro+ unlocks once you reach the EXPERT level) or buy scan packs ($0.99 for 7 scans, $1.99 for 20 scans, or $3.99 for 50 scans — one-time purchases, no expiry). Carva also offers an invite program: users may share a unique invite code, and when a new user redeems it both parties receive 3 bonus scans. Each scan uses paid car recognition regardless of whether the result is saved to your collection. Subscription fees are billed monthly through your Apple ID or Google Play account; scan packs are charged once per purchase.
You agree not to:
We reserve the right to remove comments, replies, likes, follows, or spots that violate these rules, and to suspend or terminate accounts that repeatedly do so. Reports of violating content can be submitted in-app via the report button on any spot or comment.
When you create a Carva account, your username, level, total spots, country, total likes received, follower count, and follow graph (who you follow and who follows you) are publicly visible to all other Carva users. Spots you upload — including your photo, the vehicle, the city, and the rough location — are visible to other users 24 hours after capture, with coordinates offset (see the Privacy Policy). Comments, replies, and likes you make are publicly attributed to your username on the spot's detail screen.
You can unfollow any user at any time. Removing a comment, like, or follow is your individual right; we do not delete other users' interactions on your spots without a valid request.
Vehicle identification is performed using third-party AI technology. Results may not always be accurate. Carva is not liable for incorrect identifications. XP and rarity scores are for entertainment purposes only.
If you are the owner of a vehicle featured in a spot and wish to have it removed, you may submit a request using our Spot Removal Request form or email . Please include the spot ID (shown on the spot detail screen in the app), a photo of the vehicle registration certificate showing the make and model (you may redact personal details), and a brief explanation. We will review requests and respond within 30 days.
Photos you take remain your property. By using Carva, you grant us a limited license to display your spots within the app. The Carva name, logo, and app design are the intellectual property of Shiftware.
Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the renewal date. Refunds are handled per Apple App Store or Google Play policies. To cancel, go to your subscription settings in the respective app store.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms. You may delete your account at any time from the app settings, or request deletion via our account deletion page.
Carva is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. Shiftware is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Service.
We may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.
These Terms are governed by the laws of Estonia. Disputes shall be resolved in Estonian courts.