Legal
Terms & hire conditions
A summary of our weekly PCO hire terms. Full conditions are provided with your hire agreement.
1. Eligibility
Hire is for licensed private-hire drivers only. Hirers must be over 21 (25 to 65 to drive on our fleet insurance), hold a valid PCO licence and badge, hold a full DVLA photocard driving licence, provide a National Insurance number and two proofs of address matching the DVLA address, and pass our checks. Additional drivers must be declared and approved.
2. Application & approval
Before a car is provided we carry out quick checks on the application: document verification, a DVLA check code check and a credit check based on the application. Around 90% of applications are approved. A hire begins once the driver is approved and the first week’s rent and deposit are paid.
3. Weekly rent
Cars are hired on a weekly basis. The weekly rate is shown on each vehicle page and is charged per week, not per day. Rent is payable in advance for each week of hire.
4. Security deposit
A refundable deposit is taken before the vehicle is released. For a hirer on our fleet insurance it is £1,000, which also covers the policy’s £1,000 excess in the event of a claim. This is the whole deposit, not an amount on top of another deposit. For a hirer with their own insurance it is usually £500 and can vary by vehicle. It is returned after the vehicle is handed back undamaged and within the agreed mileage. Damage, excess mileage and any outstanding charges may be deducted.
5. Insurance
The vehicle is insured in one of two ways. (a) Our fleet policy: a hirer who meets the insurer’s conditions may drive on our private-hire fleet policy, and the insurance is included in the weekly rent. The conditions are: aged 25 to 65; a private hire (taxi) driver licence held for at least 1 year; a full UK or EU driving licence held for at least 3 years; UK resident for at least 2 years; no more than 6 penalty points in the last 5 years; no driving ban in the last 5 years; and no more than 1 fault claim in the last 2 years. Any unspent criminal convictions must be referred to our insurance broker. In the event of a claim, the hirer pays the policy’s £1,000 excess. Windscreen claims carry a £115 excess. Any accident, loss or claim must be reported to the insurer’s claims line within 72 hours; under the policy, late reporting results in a £500 all-sections excess. (b) The hirer’s own policy: the hirer arranges private-hire (PHV) insurance, provides a valid certificate before the vehicle is released, keeps cover in place throughout the hire and is responsible for any liability under their own policy. This section summarises the main conditions of our fleet policy; it is not the full policy terms and not insurance advice.
6. Mileage
Each car has a weekly mileage cap, either 800 or 1000 miles per week depending on the vehicle. Mileage above the cap is charged as excess mileage at the rate stated for the vehicle.
7. Included with hire
Service, roadside assistance, road tax, MOT, PHV licence, tyres and brakes are included with every hire. The hirer must report faults promptly, tell us about any accident or incident straight away, and allow the vehicle to be serviced or repaired when required.
8. Use of the vehicle
The vehicle is provided for licensed private-hire work and normal driving. It must not be used for racing or track use, sub-let to another driver, or taken abroad without prior written consent. Any traffic offences, tolls, congestion charges or fines during the hire are the hirer’s responsibility.
9. Ending the hire
Either party may end the hire with reasonable notice. On return, the vehicle is inspected and the deposit released subject to condition, mileage and any outstanding charges. Please contact us as early as possible if your circumstances change.
10. Liability
Nothing in these terms limits liability where it cannot lawfully be limited. Delephna is not liable for indirect or consequential loss, including loss of earnings, arising from the hire.
Delephna Car Limited, registered in England & Wales. Questions? Contact us.