Terms & Conditions

Complete rental terms, privacy practices, customer responsibilities, and liability details compliant with Indian consumer protection laws.

1. Rental Terms & Requirements

Eligibility (Consumer Protection Act 2019)

Minimum age: 21 years old (25+ for premium vehicles)
Valid government-issued ID (Aadhar, Passport, Voter ID, License)
Valid driving license: minimum 2 years old
Active contact details for communication
Valid payment method (credit/debit card or wallet)
No Discrimination: Equal access regardless of religion, caste, gender, disability. Reasonable accommodations available.

Insurance (Motor Vehicles Act 1988)

Mandatory: All vehicles have third-party liability insurance (min ₹5 lakhs) per Motor Vehicles Act 1988
Optional: Comprehensive insurance plans available for damage protection
Without insurance: You're liable for 100% repair costs
Pre-existing damage must be reported and documented before rental starts
Accident: Report immediately at +91-XXXXXXXXXX; document with photos

Rental Conditions

Return vehicle in same/better condition
Late returns charged at 2x hourly rate
Odometer recorded at pickup and drop-off
Excess mileage charges apply if applicable
Vehicle inspection report prepared during pickup/drop-off per CPA 2019

2. Customer Responsibilities During Rental

Vehicle Care: Safeguard against theft, damage, or misuse
Fuel: Return with same fuel level as pickup (or pay fuel charges)
Document Verification: Keep driving license and ID handy during drives
Law Compliance: Follow traffic rules; speeding/violations your responsibility
Parking: Park safely; no unauthorized locations
Third-Party Damage: Responsible for damage caused to other vehicles/property
Accident Protocol: Report immediately; provide police FIR for major accidents

3. Pricing, Taxes & Invoicing (GST Act 2017)

GST Compliance (HSN 9965)

Tax Rate: 18% GST on rental services (HSN Code 9965)
Calculation: Clearly shown at checkout before payment
Invoice: Digital GST invoice issued automatically after booking
Example: ₹2,000 rental + ₹360 GST = ₹2,360 total
Insurance premium: NOT subject to GST (separate line item)

Additional Charges

Late return: 2x hourly rental rate
Excess mileage: ₹X per km (specified at checkout)
Damage: Actual repair cost (insurance applicable)
Fuel shortage: Actual cost + ₹100 service charge
No hidden charges: All clearly disclosed before booking

4. Refund & Cancellation Policy

For detailed refund and cancellation terms, please visit our Refund & Cancellation Policy page.

Quick Overview

>24 hours before: 100% refund (free cancellation)
12-24 hours before: 50% refund
<12 hours: No refund (reschedule instead)
After rental start: No refund
Full refund if we cancel due to vehicle unavailability

5. Liability & Limitations

Customer Liability

Responsible for all damage during rental period
Liable for third-party claims (accidents, injury, damage to other vehicles)
Responsible for traffic violations and parking tickets
Liable for theft if vehicle left unlocked or keys given to others
Liable for excess mileage charges

Our Liability

Vehicle maintenance: We ensure roadworthiness before rental
Insurance protection: Third-party coverage included
Service issues: Replacement vehicle or refund if available
Limitation: Our liability capped at booking amount
Force majeure: Not liable for acts of God, government action

6. Privacy & Data Protection (Information Technology Act 2000)

Data We Collect

Identity: Name, age, contact, address
Payment: Card details (processed by PCI-DSS gateways, NOT stored)
Documents: DL, Aadhar (encrypted AES-256)
GPS: Vehicle location tracking during rental only
Usage: Booking history, feedback, support interactions

Data Security (IT Act 2000, Section 43A)

Encryption: AES-256 for stored data, TLS 1.2+ for transit
No Card Storage: Payment handled by approved PCI-DSS gateways only
Access Control: Limited access to authorized personnel only
Breach Notification: Within 72 hours if any data breach occurs
Retention: Delete data after 5 years (post-transaction) or per request
Right to Deletion: Request data deletion anytime; complied within 30 days

7. Grievance Redressal & Dispute Resolution

Your Consumer Rights (CPA 2019)

Right to Information: Full disclosure of terms & pricing BEFORE booking
Right to Choose: Free selection of insurance; no forced add-ons
Right to Safety: Vehicle roadworthy per Motor Vehicles Act
Right to Complaint: Lodge complaint within 2 years via District/State Consumer Commission
Right to Compensation: Up to ₹10 lakhs compensation for service deficiency or negligence
Right to Consumer Education: Access to clear policy documents

Grievance Process

Contact: grievance@nextgear.in or +91-XXXXXXXXXX
Response Time: Within 48 hours (e-commerce rules)
Resolution: Within 30 days of complaint
Escalation: District Consumer Commission (free filing, no fees)
National Helpline: 1800-11-4000 (24/7 toll-free)

8. Force Majeure Events

In case of unforeseen events beyond our control, the following apply:

Covered Events

Natural disasters (earthquake, flood, cyclone)
Government action (lockdown, ban, war)
Pandemic/epidemic restrictions
Extreme weather conditions
Civil unrest affecting operations

Your Options

Full Refund: If vehicle unavailable due to force majeure
Reschedule: To a later date at no cost
Credit: Amount credited to account for future bookings

9. Acceptance of Terms & Legal Compliance

By booking a vehicle through Next Gear Rentals, you acknowledge and agree:

You have read and understood these Terms & Conditions
You understand your consumer rights under applicable laws
You accept your responsibilities during rental
You agree to pay GST and all disclosed charges
You accept the Refund & Cancellation Policy

Policy Updates: We may modify this policy with 30 days' notice. Continued use indicates acceptance. Ongoing bookings honor terms at time of booking.

Last Updated: March 21, 2026 | Compliant with: Consumer Protection Act 2019, Motor Vehicles Act 1988, Information Technology Act 2000, GST Act 2017, E-Commerce Rules 2020