Terms of Service – Private Driving Services

These terms and conditions apply to all bookings made with Karl Rohde, trading as “The Driver”, a private professional driver.

References to “we”, “us”, or “our” in this document refer to Karl Rohde personally, the sole operator and service provider. This reflects the personal, one-on-one nature of the service offered. By booking and using this service, you agree to the terms below.

1. Passenger Conduct
All passengers are expected to behave respectfully and responsibly. Aggressive, abusive, or disruptive behaviour will result in immediate termination of the journey without refund.

2. Food, Drink, and Alcohol
Only bottled water and light, non-messy snacks are permitted. Other food or drink (e.g. takeaways, hot beverages) may not be consumed without prior approval.

Alcohol must not be consumed in the vehicle. Any breach will result in the journey ending immediately without refund.

3. Drug Use and Illegal Substances
The use, possession, purchase, or sale of any illegal drugs or substances is strictly prohibited in or around the vehicle.

Any breach will result in immediate termination of the service, potential reporting to authorities, and no refund.

4. Punctuality
We make best efforts to arrive on time, allowing for normal traffic and conditions.

Clients must be ready at the agreed time. Delays exceeding 15 minutes may reduce the hire time or incur additional charges.

5. Soiling & Cleaning Fee
A minimum charge of $500 applies for any soiling of the vehicle (e.g. spills, bodily fluids, odours) that requires professional cleaning. Additional fees may apply if the vehicle is taken out of service.

6. Damage & Liability
Passengers are responsible for any damage caused to the vehicle, whether accidental or intentional. A standard excess of $2,500 applies per incident.

Where damage is malicious or deliberate, further legal action may be pursued.

7. Personal Property
We accept no responsibility for any lost, damaged, or stolen items brought into or left in the vehicle. Clients are advised to check carefully before exiting the vehicle at each stop.

8. Payments and Deposits
Bookings between 1 and 3 hours require payment in full to confirm booking.

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm bookings.

The remaining 50% is due five business days prior to the scheduled hire.

All payments are non-refundable. While we will attempt to accommodate rescheduling requests, changes are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.

9. Booking Confirmation
A booking is not considered confirmed until the required deposit has been received.

We reserve the right to release unconfirmed time slots without notice.

10. Responsibility for Group Bookings
The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring all passengers comply with these Terms of Service.

Any costs arising from the actions of passengers will be charged to the booking party.

11. Child Safety & Restraints
We do not provide child seats or booster seats. All passengers, including minors, must be able to use a standard adult seatbelt unaided.

Children who require a car seat or booster cannot be transported.

12. Timekeeping and Overage
The hire period begins at the agreed start time, regardless of client readiness. Any client delay is counted within the booked time.

Overages beyond 30 minutes will be charged in full one-hour increments at the standard hourly rate.

13. Service Scope and Right to Refuse
This is a pre-booked private driving service, not a taxi or on-demand rideshare.

We reserve the right to decline or discontinue a booking at any time, particularly where passenger behaviour, safety, or legal concerns arise.

14. Health and Safety Compliance
All passengers must comply with applicable New Zealand Health and Safety regulations during the hire period.

We reserve the right to refuse service or discontinue a journey if a passenger’s behaviour or condition presents a potential risk to the driver or others, or breaches any legal safety requirement.

15. Delays, Disruptions, and Force Majeure
We will make all reasonable efforts to complete your journey as scheduled. However, we are not liable for any delays, cancellations, or disruptions caused by factors beyond our control, including but not limited to:

• Severe weather or natural events
• Mechanical failure or vehicle breakdown
• Road closures, detours, or traffic accidents
• Public transport strikes or infrastructure failures
• Medical emergencies, pandemics, or government restrictions
• War, terrorism, civil unrest, or national emergencies

These are considered force majeure events, and no refunds or compensation will be provided if services are disrupted as a result.

16. Privacy and Discretion
Client privacy is respected at all times. We do not disclose client identity, trip details, or related information to any third party, unless required by law.

Photography, video, or audio recording inside the vehicle is not permitted without prior consent.

17. Driver Rest Breaks
For hires exceeding five and a half continuous hours, the driver reserves the right to take a brief rest break at a suitable time, as require by law.

This break will not be counted within the hire duration unless otherwise agreed in advance.

18. Overdue Payments and Debt Recovery
In the event of non-payment or overdue invoices, we reserve the right to initiate debt recovery.

All reasonable costs incurred, including legal fees, collection agency charges, and administrative expenses, will be added to the total amount owed and are fully recoverable from the client.

19. Severability
If any part of these Terms of Service is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that portion shall be deemed severed, and the remainder of the terms shall remain in full force and effect.

20. Governing Law
These Terms of Service are governed by and shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of New Zealand. Any disputes arising under or in connection with these terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of New Zealand courts.

21. Updates to Terms
These terms may be updated from time to time without notice. The version in effect at the time of booking will apply.