Terms & Conditions of Service

1. Introduction & Acceptance of Terms

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the website www.driverzoneonline.com and the on-demand chauffeur hire services operated by Driver Zone ("Company", "we", "us", "our"), having its registered operational office at Near Uttarbanga Sangbad Office, Banipukur Road, Middle Shanti Nagar, Loknath Mandir Road, Dabgram, Siliguri, West Bengal – 734004.

By booking a driver through our website, phone helpline, or WhatsApp channel, or by making an online payment via our Razorpay integration, you ("Customer", "Vehicle Owner", "You") explicitly acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by these Terms.

2. Scope of Service: Customer's Own Vehicle

Driver Zone provides professional chauffeurs to operate and drive vehicles owned, rented, or leased by the Customer. Driver Zone does not supply rental motor vehicles under these standard driver-hire packages unless explicitly contracted under a distinct tour package.

• All fuel costs, road taxes, bridge tolls, municipal entry fees, airport parking fees, and vehicle maintenance remain the sole responsibility of the customer.
• The assigned driver operates strictly under the legal consent and supervision of the vehicle owner or authorized passenger.

3. Vehicle Roadworthiness & Documentation Criteria

To safeguard both customer and driver safety, the Customer must warrant that their vehicle meets the following mandatory roadworthiness criteria before handing over the keys:

1. Valid Documentation: The vehicle must possess valid Registration Certificate (RC), Comprehensive Third-Party Motor Insurance, and Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate as mandated by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
2. Mechanical Fitness: Brakes, steering, tires (including a functional spare tire/stepney), headlights, taillights, wiper blades, and horn must be in sound operating condition.
3. Hill Travel Preparedness: For mountain trips (Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Sikkim, Mirik), the vehicle’s cooling system, brake fluid, engine oil, and tire tread depth must meet hill-driving safety norms. Chauffeurs reserve the right to decline operating vehicles deemed mechanically hazardous on steep gradients.
4. Tools & Jack: A working car jack, wheel wrench, and emergency reflective triangle must be present in the vehicle.

4. Pricing, Payments & Invoicing (INR - ₹)

All service tariffs displayed on our website are stated strictly in Indian Rupees (INR - ₹):

• Accepted Payment Methods: Online advance or full booking payments are processed securely through Razorpay, supporting UPI (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM), Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and Net Banking across major Indian banks.
• Taxes & GST: Applicable Goods and Services Tax (GST) is charged in compliance with Indian taxation laws. Tax invoices are issued upon duty completion.
• Night Driving Allowance: A night allowance of ₹200 is chargeable for duties extending past 10:00 PM or commencing prior to 6:00 AM.
• Outstation Fooding / Halt Allowance: For multi-day outstation journeys or hill station overnight stays where customer lodging is not arranged for the chauffeur, a night allowance of ₹300 per night applies.

5. Cancellation & Refunds

All cancellations and refunds are subject to our official Refund & Cancellation Policy:

6. Customer Conduct & Legal Obligations

While using Driver Zone chauffeur services, the Customer agrees:

• Not to compel or instruct the chauffeur to violate Indian traffic laws, exceed speed limits, jump red lights, or overload the vehicle beyond legal seating capacity.
• Not to transport any illegal substances, contraband, unauthorized wildlife, unrecorded cash, or alcoholic beverages in violation of excise laws of West Bengal, Sikkim, or neighboring states.
• To treat the assigned chauffeur with dignity, respect, and courtesy at all times. Harassment, verbal abuse, or physical aggression will result in immediate termination of duty without refund and potential police reporting.
• To safeguard all personal valuables (jewelry, cash, laptops, phones). The customer must verify that no personal effects are left behind upon trip culmination.

7. Limitation of Liability & Insurance Coverage

Driver Zone takes extreme caution in vetting, testing, and assigning verified, experienced drivers. However:

• Motor Insurance: In the unforeseen event of a road accident, damage to the customer's vehicle or third parties is governed primarily by the vehicle's own Comprehensive Motor Insurance policy. Driver Zone does not insure the customer's private vehicle against mechanical wear, tear, or collision damages.
• Traffic Fines: If a traffic challan is incurred directly due to driver negligence (such as unauthorized parking or a red-light violation committed without passenger duress), Driver Zone will bear the fine. If a fine is incurred due to missing vehicle papers, lapsed insurance/PUC, or customer insistence, the customer bears the liability.
• Indirect Damages: Driver Zone is not liable for missed flights, train departures, or commercial opportunity losses resulting from severe traffic gridlocks, inclement Himalayan weather, landslides, or vehicle breakdowns outside our direct control.

8. Jurisdiction & Dispute Resolution

These Terms and any contractual disputes arising out of services provided by Driver Zone shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the Republic of India. The courts and consumer forums situated in Siliguri / Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal shall hold exclusive jurisdiction.

9. Contact for Legal Matters & Grievances

For queries concerning these terms, contract clarifications, or merchant inquiries:
Driver Zone Legal & Compliance Cell
Near Uttarbanga Sangbad Office, Banipukur Road, Middle Shanti Nagar, Loknath Mandir Road, Dabgram, Siliguri, West Bengal – 734004.
Phone: +91 8509299342 | Email: support@driverzoneonline.com