Chauffeurs UK's Conditions of Hire

Chauffeurs UK Limited (‘the Company’) agrees to hire to the customer (‘the customer’) the vehicle(s) upon the following terms and conditions:-

1. The hire charge is payable in full at the time of booking.  The Company will issue its receipt and detailed confirmation of the hire.  The customer is responsible for checking the details contained in the confirmation and for bringing any errors to the immediate attention of the Company.  Subject to clause 4 below, the hire charge is strictly non-refundable except in circumstances where the Company, due to causes beyond its control, cancels or, at its absolute discretion, agrees to cancel the hire.

2. A charge of £18.00 is made for meeting passengers at airports and train stations to cover parking and waiting for up to one hour from the scheduled or actual time of arrival, whichever is earlier. Additional waiting time, if required, is charged at the rate of £17.00 per half-hour or part thereof.

3. The Company will provide the name and cell phone number of their chauffeur to customers prior to the date of travel.  In the unlikely event that customers have any difficulty in locating their chauffeur, they are requested to call the cell phone number immediately.  If customers neglect to call the chauffeur's cell phone and use alternative ground transportation, the trip will be charged in full.  If the number they call is busy or cannot be answered immediately, customers will be connected to a voicemail and they should leave a message with a contact number so the chauffeur can call back to facilitate the meeting.

The same condition applies wherever in the world the Company is supplying a service.  Outside the United Kingdom, however, it may not always be possible to provide the name and cell phone number of the chauffeur to customers prior to the date of travel.  In such circumstances an alternative phone number for an English-speaking contact will be provided and must be used as described above.

4. In the event of a cancellation by the customer, cancellation charges shall be as follows:-

Cancellation not less than 30 days prior - fully refundable less £20.00 per person administration fee.

Cancellation 7-30 days prior - fully refundable less 25% of the value of the booking or £20.00 per person, whichever is the greater.

Cancellation 2-7 days prior - non-refundable but the Company, at its absolute discretion, may permit all or part of such monies as shall have been paid to it by the customer in respect of the cancelled period of hire to be applied to a future hire.

Cancellation within 48 hours of the scheduled commencement of the job – strictly non-refundable.

5. The Company will use reasonable means to ensure that the vehicle(s) arrives on time to begin the hire and that it reaches its destination on time. The Company will not incur any liability whatsoever in the event of any delay due to causes or circumstances beyond its control.

6. Unless instructed otherwise by the customer, the Chauffeur will follow the route considered the most appropriate on the day of travel.

7. Vehicles are insured for passenger and third party claims, as required under English law. However, whilst every care is always taken, customers’ personal property is carried entirely at their own risk and no responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage thereto. Customers are therefore advised to ensure that they carry adequate and relevant travel insurance.

8. The Company reserves the right (and delegates to its Chauffeurs the right) to refuse to carry in any of its vehicles any person who is thought to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and / or whose behaviour is considered to pose a threat to the Chauffeur, the vehicle or the other passenger(s). The Company will not tolerate any verbal or physical abuse directed to its Chauffeurs or other staff.

9. It is illegal to smoke in the Company’s vehicles.

10. For health and safety reasons, Chauffeurs UK Limited is unable to supply or fit baby or infant/booster seats. Customers may choose to supply their own seats, but the chauffeur is not permitted to fit any seat. Customers must ensure the seat is correctly fitted to the vehicle. Before moving off, the chauffeur will ask the customer to confirm the seat is fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s fitting instructions. At the end of the journey, the customer must remove the child/booster seat from the vehicle. Chauffeurs cannot offer advice as to how to fit the seat as they are not trained in the installation and use of individual seats. Under the terms of the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993, private hire vehicles are not required to provide child restraints and there are qualified exemptions allowing children to travel unrestrained in those vehicles. Children may travel unrestrained if no appropriate restraint is provided. Where an appropriate restraint is available, this should be used.

11. If a customer has a complaint about any aspect of the Company’s performance, full details may be given in writing, within seven days of the end of the hire, to:-

The Chairman, Chauffeurs UK Limited, SBC House, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH.

The complaint will be fully investigated and a written response given within seven days of its receipt by the Company.

If the customer is dissatisfied with the Company’s response, the matter should be reported to:-

The Public Carriage Office, 15 Penton Street, London N1 9PU quoting the Company’s Private Hire Vehicle Operator’s Licence number: 2796.

These Conditions of Hire do not affect a customer’s statutory rights.