Terms and conditions

Direct Drive Transport Solutions is referred to as the Company who undertakes to hire vehicles to the person booking and paying for the chauffeur service. The person booking and paying for the chauffeur service is referred to as the "Client" for the period of hire, under the following terms and conditions.

Direct Drive Transport Solutions will respond to either telephone, email, fax or postal requests giving an individual quote based on the information provided by the prospective client. As required we will negotiate and agree on a price or pricing for the work detailed and agree on a payment method.

The Company accepts no responsibility or liability where incorrect or misleading information has originally been given. The Company will require notification within a reasonable time, of changes to any part of the contracted details. Incorrect, misleading or changes to contracted details may result in a termination of the original contract, with the resultant cancellation fee's being applied. A new contact may therefore need to be negotiated based on the new information and new charges incurred.

With specific regard to Airport collections, the Company will undertake to monitor flight arrivals in accordance with the information supplied by the Client and the current available information supplied by the relevant airport/airline. It is essential that the Company is supplied with the correct airport, day, date, scheduled arrival time and flight number. Please note that Airport authorities refuse to accept liability for the correctness or accuracy of any information supplied. The Company, therefore, does not accept liability for incorrect or misleading information given by either the Client or other agency. It is therefore, also essential and the responsibility of the Client to keep the Company, directly informed, of any flight changes using the contact numbers supplied. Where ever possible the Company will endeavour to accommodate changes. Please note that additional charges or fee's may be charged as a result.

The Company is not responsible for serious delays to airport/train/seaport arrivals ( more than 2 hours beyond the contracted / scheduled arrival time ). This is solely an issue between the Client and the carrier ( please check with your carrier / representative re insurance / compensation claims ). It is essential and the responsibility of the Client to keep the Company, directly informed, of any possible delays or changes to the scheduled arrival details using the contact number/s supplied. Please note that the transport provided by the Company to a client, is a distinctly separate contractual issue to any other travel arrangements. Additional fee's and charges may apply as detailed previously.

• For non airport collections we have a 15 minute grace period, after which waiting time may be charged.
• Journeys which involve a return collection at a later time, may be considered to be two separate journeys and may require payment for each part. (see notes re credit card payments).
• Transport supplied by the Company to the Client is distinctly separate from any other transport/holiday arrangements organised between the Client and other parties.
• A serious time delay is considered to be one which is 2hrs beyond the contracted collection/scheduled arrival time. Wherever possible the Company will endeavour to accommodate this situation. However, due to other contractual arrangements and commitments, this may not be possible.
  
• For airport arrivals we will monitor the flight arrival time based on Client information and the current available public information supplied by the airport/airline at the time. A grace period of 60 minutes from the flight landing time is given. Please note that with short haul flights we may have to dispatch vehicles before any delays are known, waiting time may therefore be charged between the scheduled and actual arrival times. All waiting time / car parking fee's will be charged at the prevailing rate.
• Any variations to the journey/s originally discussed, booked and agreed to, between the Company and the Client may be subject to additional charges, if these changes involve extra time, parking fees, congestion charges, extra distance being covered and/or subsistence due to extended time.
  
• Our drivers are professional drivers and are not exempt from their legal driving obligations and as such we do not expect them to compromise these obligations.


• We strongly recommend that a contingency plan is considered for any situation where we are to meet an employee / client, whose travel plans may become altered, sometimes at the last moment. This problem may be magnified if the scheduled meeting time i.e. Heathrow airport, is out of 'normal office hours'. It is essential therefore that we are able to make contact with an authorised person from whom we can be advised.
• Any vehicles pictured or referred to, within our website are for the example of types of vehicles. Our actual vehicle fleet is subject to change.
  
• Every effort will be made to provide the vehicle requested, however circumstances may make the substitution of a similar type / class of vehicle necessary. On occasions subcontracted vehicles may be used.


• Every effort will be made by the Company to ensure that the vehicle/s (and drivers ) arrive on time at both their pick-up and designated destination locations. The Company shall not be held responsible or liable for any delays (and / or arising consequential losses) that occur, which is beyond our control.


• The driver will travel by the most appropriate route on that day, unless instructed or directed otherwise by the Client.
  
• All vehicles are fully insured for the purpose of transportation in accordance with British Law. However properties are carried entirely at the Clients own risk and the Company shall not be held responsible / liable for any losses / damage to such property. It is the responsibility of the Client to ensure that when they vacate the vehicle they take with them all their luggage/items.


• The Company and its drivers have the right to refuse to carry, or put out of the vehicle, any Client who is thought to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and whose behaviour poses a threat, either to the driver, the vehicle or any other passenger.
The Client is responsible for any personal injury, loss or damage occuring as a result of this situation

• The Company maintains a non smoking policy in all its vehicles.


• No service charge is included or expected and forms no part of any price / quote given. This is purely at the discretion of the Client and forms no part of our pricing.


• For executive business/transport and above, car parking fees, waiting, congestion, tolls etc., (at the prevailing rate) will be added to the overall cost.
• Current waiting time rate is as follows:
   
  • £5 per 15 minutes or part thereof - standard vehicle rate
  • £6 per 15 minutes or part thereof - executive vehicle rate

Nothing contained in these terms and conditions affects the Client's statutory rights.

Payment method

• Cash (cheque) in full settlement at the conclusion of the job (receipts supplied if requested).
• Pre-payment / deposit may be required in some instances.
  
• Cash invoicing by prior arrangement and settled in full by return of post.
  
• Credit card by prior arrangement and settled in full at the conclusion of the job. (pre-payment may be required)
  
• Accounts via monthly invoicing are payable by the 14th day of the month immediately following the invoice month.


• VAT payable at the prevailing rate.


• Cheques are to be made payable to "Direct Drive" or as directed, to the relevant driver.


• Credit card payments are subject to the relevant surcharge, current at the time of payment.
  

The following additional charges may apply to the total cost

• Collections between 23:30 and 04:30 hrs - 25%


• Bank holidays - 25%


• Christmas and New Year's Day - 50%

Cancellations

In the event of a Client not attending (”No Show“) including changes to itinerary or serious delays, the full fee plus any other incurred fees may be charged. Cancellation fees are as follows:

• Over 24 hrs notice - No charge


• 12-24 hrs notice - 25% quoted price


• 4-12 hrs notice - 50% quoted price


• Less than 4 hrs notice - full price

It is essential and the responsibility of the Client to keep the Company directly informed of any possible delays or changes to the scheduled arrival / pick-up time/date, including changes of flight number and arrival location, using the contact number/s supplied.

The transport provided by the Company to a Client, is a distinctly separate contractual issue to any other travel arrangements.

Extenuating circumstances may be considered by the Company in appropriate cases.