Terms & Conditions

This agreement is made between the Hirer, the Lessor and the Authorised Driver (as defined below) and is subject to the under mentioned terms and conditions.

It is the intention of the parties that this agreement shall not be regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

For the purpose of this agreement Licensed Carriage Hire Ltd is referred to as the “Lessor”.

“The Hirer” means the person, Limited Company or other entity by or on behalf of whom this agreement is signed.

“Authorised Driver” means the driver(s) additional to the Hirer, approved as specified in the Rental Agreement.

MINIMUM HIRE PERIODS:

1st October – 30th April – During this period of time we have a minimum hire period of 2 days and this is classified as our ‘Off-peak’ period.

1st May – 30th September – During this period of time we have a minimum hire period of 3 days and this is classified as our ‘peak’ period.

1.The Hirer will ensure that the Authorised Driver will comply with all of the conditions of this agreement and the Authorised Driver agrees to be bound by all of the terms of this agreement.

2. The Lessor agrees to rent, and the Hirer agrees to take the vehicles described in the Rental Agreement on the conditions as set out in this agreement.

3. Hirer/Authorised Driver Obligations

The Hirer/Authorised Driver is responsible for:

• Inspection of the vehicle and any accessories provided before accepting delivery of the vehicle.  If the Hirer /Authorised Driver is not satisfied with the vehicle or any accessories, or the condition of the vehicle does not match the pre-rental inspection report, the delivery driver and LCH customer services must be notified prior to accepting the vehicle. In the absence of such notice, it shall be deemed that the vehicle and any accessories were received in accordance with the pre rental inspection.
• Taking reasonable care of the vehicle, any accessories, the keys or other locking device (including any apps which can be used with the vehicles) for the vehicle. The vehicle should be returned in the same condition in which it was accepted, including tyre replacements due to punctures or damage which must be equivalent to the manufacturer specification
• Locking the vehicle and correct use of any security device which is fitted or supplied to secure the vehicle when it is not in use.
• Use best endeavours to protect the vehicle against damage in adverse weather conditions. Use the correct fuel and fluids in the vehicle as specified by the manufacturer. If the vehicle is electric or plug-in hybrid it must be charged in accordance with the instructions provided.
• Any new damage to the vehicle whilst on hire and must pay our reasonable costs for bringing the vehicle back to the condition stated in the pre-rental inspection report. This could include the cost of any damage inside and outside the vehicle, cleaning costs if the vehicle is very dirty, and replacement or repair of any items or accessories provided to you.  If the Lessor have agreed to deliver the vehicle at an address provided, take responsibility for the vehicle from the time of delivery at this address. If it is agreed that the vehicle is to be returned outside of the Lessor’s opening hours and/or to an alternative location, responsibility for the vehicle and its condition remains with the Hirer/Authorised Driver until the vehicle has been inspected by the Lessor (accepting that it may be necessary to clean the vehicle prior to inspection).
• Returning the vehicle with the agreed amount of fuel or battery charge.
• Informing the Lessor as soon as you become aware of any defect with the vehicle, or if the vehicle is stolen or involved in an accident or broken down. Failure to notify may result in you breaking this agreement and liable to paying costs we incur.
• Removing all personal belongings (including data) from the vehicle at the end of the rental period.  The Lessor will not be responsible for any items/data left in the vehicle at the end of the rental period.

The Hirer/Authorised Driver must not do any of the following.

• Sell, rent or otherwise dispose of the vehicle, any of its parts or accessories. Give or try to give, any 3rd party the legal rights to the vehicle or transfer legal ownership.
• Let anyone carry out any work on the vehicle without our written permission.
• Carry any object or substance which, by nature of its condition or odour, may harm the vehicle or necessitate cleaning that will delay the vehicle being rented or disposed of.
• Export or drive the vehicle off the UK mainland without our prior written permission.

4. Lessor’s Obligations

The Lessor is responsible for:

• Identifying and recording any existing damage to the vehicle at the commencement of the rental agreement on the pre rental agreement.
• Fitting the vehicle with tracking and other security devices to ensure safe and compliant operation of the vehicle in line with the terms of this agreement.  The Hirer/Authorised Driver gives their consent to the Lessor recording and using any data collected including the use to recover the vehicle in the event that it is not returned in line with the Rental Agreement.
• Maintaining the vehicle to the manufacturer’s recommended standard as a minimum and ensuring that the vehicle is roadworthy and suitable for its intended use at the commencement of the rental period. LCH reserves the right to replace the vehicle in order to comply with this requirement.

The Lessor accepts no responsibility for delays and/or consequential losses from breakdown or any other circumstance.

5. Charges and Payment Terms

The Hirer/Authorised Driver will be responsible for paying the following charges:

• The rental and any other charges that the lessor applies according to this agreement including any excess mileage charges (if applicable). The rate charged for the hire of the vehicle shall be the daily rate or fixed rate per rental charged for that vehicle(s) specified in the rental agreement, as published in the Lessors rental tariff effective at the commencement of the hire. In addition, delivery and collection charges will be made where applicable
• Any charge for loss or damage resulting from non-compliance as set out in the table of charges in the Rental Agreement and the Lessor’s website, including the Lessor’s associated administrative charges.
• All charges, including legal and administrative costs for any road-traffic offence or parking (local authority or private), congestion or toll charges, or any other offence or charges involving the rental vehicle, including costs from the vehicle being clamped, seized or towed away. You are responsible for paying the appropriate authority or company for any charges and costs if and when they ask you or us for these payments.
• The reasonable cost of repairing any damage to the vehicle which was not noted at the start of the agreement, whether you were at fault or not.  The reasonable cost of replacing the vehicle if it is stolen or written off, depending on any insurance or cover you have (as set out in section 6 below), if and when we demand this payment.
• Should damage to the rental vehicle be considered to be caused by Authorised Drivers gross negligence,serious carelessness, or deliberate misuse (including but not limited to driving the vehicle allegedly, driving through a flood, speeding, racing, performing doughnuts, burnouts & drifting), where the insurance or excess will not cover such damage, the Lessor reserves the right to recharge the full cost of repairs regardless of the cover that has been taken out. Any call out for a customer induced fault, including agreement.
• VAT as applicable.

If any charges applied by the Lessor are disputed this must be communicated to the Lessor’s Customer Services Department within five working days of the receipt of the Lessor’s invoice. The payment terms applicable to this agreement are those set out in the quote and or invoice.

Administrative Charge £30

6. Insurance and damage protection programme

If separate motor insurance is arranged, information on the motor insurance cover and any restrictions which may apply must be provided.  Otherwise, the conditions of our motor insurance and damage protection programme will apply. Putting initials in the appropriate box on the rental agreement is deemed to be confirmation that the conditions of our motor insurance and damage protection programme have been read and accepted.

The Lessor have a legal responsibility to have third-party motor insurance. This provides cover for claims if you injured or kill anybody or damage their property.  Cover for damage to property is limited to £5,000,000

The Lessor will provide cover for damage to the vehicle if you have ticked the box marked ‘Collision and loss damage waiver’ on the rental agreement. Even if you accept this, you still have to pay an amount up to the excess level stated every time you damage the vehicle.

The excess level will be confirmed when booking a hire vehicle and is stated on your rental agreement that will be shared upon delivery. The excess level depends on the hirer’s age, type of vehicle supplied along with the status of their current licence.  Please note that in the event of theft, this excess may not be applicable and LCH reserved the right to seek further reimbursement.

The Lessor does not provide personal accident insurance, personal belongings insurance and goods-in-transit insurance. The Hirer/Authorised Driver are responsible for these products.

Hirer/Authorised Driver own cover

If the Lessor have agreed to fill in the appropriate box on the rental agreement prior to the conclusion of the rental agreement, you may arrange your own motor insurance to cover your legal responsibility for any loss or if the vehicle is stolen or damaged for the full period you are renting the vehicle for and third-party liability. You must prove that this motor insurance is valid and sign the confirmation on the rental agreement. The Lessor has the right to agree:

• The amount of cover you arrange;
• The type of policy you choose;
• The insurer you choose.

The Lessor must be satisfied with the motor insurance cover and policy conditions, and you must not change them. We may ask your insurers to record our name as owners of the vehicle. If the vehicle is damaged or stolen, we will negotiate any settlement for loss or damage with your insurers, and we will receive any money they pay out. This includes allowing us to take legal action in your name and defending any proceedings taken against you. You are responsible for paying the full claim and paying all costs if the policy you have arranged fails and the vehicle is damaged, lost or stolen, or someone else makes a claim.

It is the Hirer/Authorised Driver’s responsibility to ensure details of all vehicles supplied by us for a period of more than 14 days are entered onto the Motor Insurance Database within 3 days of the vehicle being supplied to you. If we receive any notices or penalties relating to the vehicle being uninsured then we will ask you to pay our reasonable costs for dealing with them.

7. Theft or accident involving hire vehicle

In the event of an accident, the Authorised Driver must:

• Not admit responsibility;
• Report the theft or loss to the police as soon as reasonably possible;
• Describe the situation as fully as possible when you are asked to do so by the police and the lessor;
• Obtain the names and addresses of everyone involved, including witnesses;
• Ensure the vehicle is secure;
• Tell the police straight away if anyone is injured or if there is a disagreement over who is responsible;
• Contact the lessor straight away;
• Send any notices or other documents relating to any legal proceedings arising out of the theft or loss to the lessor;
• Assist the lessor and their insurers in any legal proceedings, including taking legal action in the driver name and defending any legal action taken against the driver;

8. Data protection

By entering into this rental agreement, the Hirer/Authorised Driver agree that the Lessor can process and store your personal information in connection with this agreement including data collected from the vehicle. The Lessor may use your information to analyse statistics, for market research, credit control and to protect our assets.

The Lessor may need to share information with selected 3rd parties for performance of this contract including:

• Breakdown provider if the vehicle suffers a breakdown
• Insurer if they request it or if you are involved in an accident
• The DVLA if you take the vehicle abroad and they request the details of the VE103B which was issued to you for audit purposes

If the Hirer/Authorised Driver break the terms of this agreement, the Lessor can pass personal information to credit-reference agencies, debt collectors, the police or any other relevant organisation. The Lessor can also give this information to the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), which can share your personal information with its members to prevent crime and protect their assets, as allowed under any applicable data protection legislation.

9. Terminating this agreement

The Lessor will end this agreement if:

• The Hirer is a Limited Company and you go into liquidation or call a meeting of creditors;
• Goods have been taken away from you until you pay off your debts; or
• You do not meet any of the conditions of this agreement.

LCH reserve the right to terminate any hie agreement in accordance with our fair usage policy & mileage limits.

If the Lessor ends this agreement it will not affect the right to receive any amount owed under the conditions of this agreement. Reasonable costs may also be claimed if the main conditions of this agreement are not met. The lessor can repossess the vehicle and charge you a reasonable amount for doing so.

10. Jurisdiction

If a dispute cannot be resolved it may be referred to the BVRLA’s conciliation service. This agreement is governed by the laws of the country in which it was signed. Any disagreement may be settled in the courts of that country. This agreement contains all the conditions which we have agreed and replaces any written or verbal agreements we have with you.

11. Damage Costs

Any minor damage to the Vehicle (or the loss of (or damage to) the Vehicle’s keys, Accessories, or documentation) which is listed below in our Light Damage Charges Schedule is classified as ‘Light Damage’. Examples of Light Damage to the Vehicle include small scratches, chips or dents to any part of the Vehicle. If not stated below this would be classified as Serious Damage, we would provide an estimate from our approved authorised provider and subject to an excess for which you are responsible in the event of damage to the LCH vehicle during the rental (part of your rental agreement).

Damage charges outlined below are subject to a £30 Administration Charge. All prices stated exclude VAT