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 undertake 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, Cancellations and Changes
Bookings of one to five hours must be paid in full at the time of booking.

Bookings over five hours require a 50% booking fee at the time of booking, with the balance due no later than ten (10) days before the Hire Date.

If the Hire Date is less than ten (10) days away, payment in full is required at the time of booking.

A booking is not confirmed until payment is received.

Payments are non-refundable if you cancel or cannot proceed with the booking, except where a refund is required by law or agreed by us in writing.

Requested changes to the Hire Date, time, itinerary or booking length are subject to availability and our scheduling commitments. We are not required to accept a requested change.

If we cannot accommodate a requested change, we may, at our discretion, provide a transferable booking credit valid for twelve (12) months from the original Hire Date.

If we cancel a booking for reasons within our reasonable control and cannot provide the agreed service, we will provide a refund, booking credit, or alternative arrangement as required by law or as agreed with you.

Nothing in these Terms limits any rights you may have under New Zealand law.

9. Booking Confirmation
A booking is confirmed only once the required payment has been received.

Quotes, provisional bookings and unconfirmed time slots are not held and may be released to other clients 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 60 minutes will be charged in full one-hour increments at the standard hourly rate at our discretion.

13. Luggage Capacity
The Driver’s sedan offers generous boot space. However, for safety and comfort, we ask that you limit luggage to:

• Up to 2 standard suitcases (max 23kg each)
• Plus 2 small carry-ons or soft bags

Heavier or oversized bags (23kg+) may not be safely accommodated. If in doubt, please check luggage guidelines before booking. Always happy to help plan accordingly. 

14. Luggage Conditions
Clients are responsible for ensuring passengers and luggage are suitable for the vehicle and comply with legal limits. If luggage or passenger numbers exceed safe or legal capacity, The Driver may refuse transport at pick-up without refund or credit.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. Delays, Disruptions, and Force Majeure

We will make reasonable efforts to complete your journey as scheduled. However, we are not liable for delays, missed flights, missed connections, cancellations, losses or other disruption caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including:

• severe weather or natural events
• road closures, detours, traffic accidents or motorway incidents
• unexpected vehicle breakdown or mechanical failure
• public transport strikes or infrastructure failures
• medical emergencies, pandemics or government restrictions
• war, terrorism, civil unrest or national emergencies

These are force majeure events. No refund, credit or compensation will be provided where the service is delayed, disrupted or unable to be completed because of a force majeure event, except where required by law.

18. 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.

19. 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 required by law.

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

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

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

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.