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Document key: self-drive-rental-v1 · Current version: 1.0.0 · Effective 2026-05-28

Self-Drive Rental Agreement

Document key: self_drive_rental_v1 Version: 1.0.0 Effective date: 2026-05-28

DRAFT — pending legal review. Counsel review required before launch, particularly Sections 1 (eligibility / DL), 7 (insurance excess and void), and 8 (deposit and damages). Per-state Rent-a-Cab Scheme 1989 and Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guideline 2020 licensing must be confirmed for each state before activating self-drive in that state.

This Self-Drive Rental Agreement ("Rental Agreement") is between you (the "Renter") and the Partner that owns and operates the vehicle (the "Operator"). Prayana facilitates the booking and payment under the Booking Terms.

You accept this Rental Agreement at checkout and again, by e-signature, at vehicle handover.

1. Eligibility

1.1 You must be 21 years or older (some Operators require 23 or 25; displayed on the listing).

1.2 You must hold a valid driving licence issued in India (or an International Driving Permit recognised in India) for the vehicle class booked (LMV for 4-wheeler; MCWG for 2-wheeler), with at least 2 years of post-issue driving experience.

REVIEW: counsel required before launch — confirm 2-year minimum is appropriate per state Rent-a-Cab Scheme; Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guideline 2020 sets 2-year baseline.

1.3 You must complete KYC (Aadhaar via DigiLocker or government-issued photo ID) and upload your DL before pickup. The Operator may decline handover if the documents do not match the booking name.

2. Documents to carry

At all times during the rental period you must carry, in the vehicle or on your person, the originals or DigiLocker copies of:

  • Driving Licence;
  • Government-issued photo identity (Aadhaar / Passport);
  • Vehicle RC (provided in the glove box);
  • Insurance certificate (provided);
  • Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate (provided);
  • Permit (provided for commercial-permitted vehicles).

3. Vehicle handover and return

3.1 At handover, you and the Operator complete a 360° photo and condition checklist in the Prayana app. This is a binding record of vehicle condition at start of rental. Damages not captured at handover will be attributed to you on return.

3.2 You record the odometer reading and fuel level at handover and return. Both are timestamped in the app.

3.3 Late return beyond the booked drop time attracts an hourly late-return fee as displayed on the listing (typically ₹100–300 / hour for 2-wheeler, ₹250–500 / hour for 4-wheeler; after 6 hours the day rate applies).

4. Permitted use

4.1 The vehicle may be used only for lawful personal travel. Commercial use (taxi, courier, ride-share), racing or motor-sport, off-road use beyond manufacturer specification, towing, or sub-letting is prohibited and voids the insurance.

4.2 Only you (and any additional drivers you have declared during checkout and who meet Section 1 eligibility) may drive the vehicle.

4.3 Geo-fence: the vehicle may be driven within India only. Specific Operators may impose stricter geo-fences (state-only, or excluding certain hill / border districts). The geo-fence is displayed on the listing; crossing it without written approval may incur a recovery fee.

4.4 Smoking and consumption of alcohol or any intoxicant inside the vehicle is prohibited.

5. Driving under the influence

Driving under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or any substance that impairs driving capability is a material breach. The insurance is voided and you bear full liability for any damage, third-party injury, regulatory penalty, and recovery cost.

6. Fuel policy

The default fuel policy is same-to-same: pick the vehicle up at a particular fuel level, return it at the same level. Where the listing shows a "full-to-full" policy, you must return the vehicle with a full tank. Fuel short of the agreed level is charged at the listed per-litre recovery rate (higher than retail to cover refuel time).

7. Insurance

7.1 The vehicle is insured under a commercial third-party + own-damage policy (insurer details on request). The cover includes third-party bodily injury and property damage, theft of the vehicle, and own-damage repair.

7.2 Renter excess (damage cap): You are liable up to ₹5,000 (2-wheeler) / ₹10,000 (4-wheeler hatch/sedan) / ₹15,000 (4-wheeler SUV) per incident as "excess", regardless of who is at fault. Above this excess the insurance covers the balance, subject to Section 7.3.

7.3 Insurance void — the entire cost of damage / theft / third-party claim is borne by you in the following cases:

  • driving without a valid DL or by an undeclared driver;
  • driving under the influence (Section 5);
  • use for racing, off-road beyond spec, towing, or commercial activity (Section 4);
  • crossing the geo-fence without written approval;
  • accident not reported within 24 hours and FIR not filed where required (Section 9).

REVIEW: counsel required before launch — excess amounts and void clauses must align with the actual motor policy obtained per Operator; figures above are placeholder.

8. Security deposit, damages, and toll/violation flow-through

8.1 A refundable security deposit is collected at booking (displayed on the listing — typically ₹2,000–5,000 for 2-wheeler, ₹5,000–10,000 for 4-wheeler).

8.2 On return, the Operator inspects the vehicle. The deposit is refunded within 7 working days, less:

  • damages found vs the handover checklist (itemised with photos);
  • fuel shortfall (Section 6);
  • late-return fees (Section 3.3);
  • e-challans and tolls levied against the vehicle during the rental period;
  • the insurance excess where a claim is filed (Section 7.2).

8.3 You will be sent an itemised statement before the deduction. Disputes follow the Grievance Redressal Policy.

8.4 E-challans and tolls issued by traffic / RTO / NHAI for offences committed during the rental period are your liability. The Operator will forward the challan and may debit the deposit. You may contest the challan with the issuing authority; if successful, the Operator will refund the debited amount.

9. Accidents, breakdown, theft

9.1 In the event of an accident, breakdown, or theft:

  • ensure the safety of everyone involved;
  • call the Operator's 24/7 number (displayed in-app and inside the vehicle) immediately;
  • file an FIR at the nearest police station within 24 hours where there is third-party injury, third-party damage, or theft;
  • do not abandon the vehicle;
  • do not authorise any repair without the Operator's written approval — unauthorised repairs are not reimbursable.

9.2 Failure to report and file FIR within 24 hours voids the insurance for that incident (Section 7.3).

10. Cancellation

10.1 Cancellation follows the tier shown on the listing (see Cancellation & Refund Policy).

10.2 No-show at pickup with no prior cancellation forfeits the booking amount (the security deposit is still refundable).

11. Privacy and GPS

11.1 Self-drive vehicles are GPS-tracked for safety and recovery. The GPS log is retained for 36 months and may be used in accident or theft investigation, e-challan defence, or insurance claim.

11.2 The GPS data is processed under the Privacy Policy. We do not share the GPS log other than as set out there.

12. Operator and Prayana roles

The Operator is the contracting party for the vehicle, the insurance, and the service. Prayana facilitates the booking and payment (see Section 2 of the Booking Terms).

13. Acknowledgement

By accepting at checkout you confirm you meet Sections 1 and you have read and understood this Rental Agreement. At handover, you re-confirm by e-signature in the Prayana app.

Last updated: 2026-05-28. DRAFT for internal legal review. Do not launch self-drive in any state without per-state RTO Rent-a-Cab / MV Aggregator licence confirmed by counsel.