(Self‑Drive Hire)
Effective date: 20/03/2025
Company details: Transporter Hire Ltd ("Company") [Company No: 16330271], registered office at Church Lane Estate, Church Lane, Horsham RH13 6LU.
These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern the self‑drive hire of car transporter vehicles (each a "Vehicle") by the customer named on the hire agreement ("Hirer"). By signing the hire agreement or taking possession of a Vehicle, the Hirer accepts these Terms.
Accessories: any equipment supplied with the Vehicle, including but not limited to ramps, winches, straps, wheel nets, beacons, spare wheels, tools, and documents.
Agreement: the hire agreement (including the rental summary, damage report, and these Terms).
Driver: the Hirer and any additional person named and approved by the Company to drive the Vehicle.
Hire Period: the period from collection/delivery until the Vehicle is returned and the Company confirms check‑in.
Losses: all costs, charges, liabilities, fines, fees, penalties, repairs, diminution in value, and expenses (including reasonable admin and legal fees).
2.1 Drivers must hold a valid, full driving licence for the Vehicle class, present physical photo ID, proof of address, and meet the Company’s insurer criteria (age, licence duration, endorsements) as notified before hire.
2.2 The Company may refuse hire if requirements are not met or if, in its reasonable opinion, risk is unacceptable.
2.3 Only named and approved Drivers may operate the Vehicle.
3.1 Rates. The hire rate, mileage allowance (if any), and optional extras are set out in the Agreement.
3.2 Security deposit. A refundable deposit/pre‑authorisation (amount stated in the Agreement) is taken against Losses (including damage, cleaning, fuel, out‑of‑hours fees, tolls, PCNs and admin fees).
3.3 Payment. Hire charges are payable in advance. Additional charges are payable on demand and may be set off against the deposit or charged to the card on file.
3.4 Cancellations/No‑show. All bookings are non‑refundable as the Vehicle is reserved exclusively for the Hirer for the booked Hire Period. No‑shows and early returns are also non‑refundable. This does not affect your statutory rights.
3.5 Extensions & late return. Extensions require Company approval and payment before expiry. Late return is charged at the daily rate plus an out‑of‑hours/abandonment fee where applicable.
4.1 A condition report is completed at check‑out and check‑in. Existing damage must be noted before leaving the premises.
4.2 The Vehicle must be returned: (a) on the agreed date/time; (b) to the agreed location; (c) in the same clean condition (inside/out) with all Accessories, documents, keys and fuel level as at collection.
4.3 Cleaning. Excess dirt, mud, oil, load residue, or smoking/vaping odours are chargeable valeting fees.
4.4 Loss of keys/documents. Charged at cost plus admin fee and any associated downtime.
5.1 The Vehicle must only be used to transport vehicles within rated weight, axle load, and dimension limits. It is the Hirer’s responsibility to verify the transported vehicle’s weight and ensure total train weight does not exceed the plated limits.
5.2 The Hirer must secure loads correctly using appropriate straps/wheel nets at all four corners (or as specified), use wheel chocks as needed, ensure ramps are fully stowed/latched, and use the winch safely per the manufacturer’s instructions.
5.3 The Hirer must comply with all applicable road traffic, Construction & Use, overhang, height, and lighting regulations.
5.4 No passengers may ride in/on transported vehicles. No towing or pushing other than as intended for loading.
5.5 The Vehicle must not be used off‑road, for motorsport, pace‑making, driver training (unless agreed), or in any unlawful manner.
5.6 The Company may use telematics/CCTV for safety, location, mileage and compliance purposes (see Privacy & Data, clause 16).
6.1 Fuel policy is like‑for‑like unless specified otherwise; shortfalls are charged at the Company’s per‑litre rate plus a refuelling fee.
6.2 The Hirer must routinely check oil, coolant, AdBlue, lights and tyre pressures. Damage from continued use after warning lights/abnormalities is chargeable.
6.3 Punctures and tyre damage during the Hire Period are the Hirer’s responsibility unless caused by fair wear, which must be noted before the hire on the check‑out/condition report. By taking possession of the Vehicle, the Hirer confirms and accepts the tyre condition as recorded at check‑out.
7.1 Mileage allowances and excess‑mileage charges apply per rental day (from the time you collect the Vehicle until 8:00 a.m. the following day), unless expressly varied on the Agreement.
7.2 The Company may verify mileage using telematics and/or odometer readings. Mileage is calculated per rental day, and unused included miles do not carry over to subsequent days. Tampering with odometers or telematics is prohibited and constitutes a material breach.
7.3 Unauthorised commercial sub‑hire or ride‑for‑hire use is prohibited and may incur additional charges.
8.1 The Hirer is responsible for all tolls, parking charges, bus lane and traffic offences, congestion/clean‑air/ULEZ charges and similar liabilities incurred during the Hire Period.
8.2 Mandatory clause: “It is your responsibility to pay for any chargeable zones in which you enter, if you have entered a chargeable zone and have not paid, this carries a £60 admin fee.”
8.3 Where the Company receives a penalty charge notice (PCN), toll/charge demand, or otherwise pays or settles any chargeable‑zone/clean‑air/ULEZ/congestion charge, toll or similar sum arising from your use of the Vehicle — whether or not a PCN has been issued — it may either: (a) transfer liability to the Hirer/Driver; or (b) pay/appeal it and recharge the underlying amount plus a £60 administration fee per instance. The Company may recover these sums by deducting them from the deposit or charging the payment card on file and may share Hirer/Driver details with the relevant authority/operator for this purpose. For the avoidance of doubt: if the Company pays a chargeable‑zone entry on your behalf because you failed to pay (even where no PCN was issued), the £60 administration fee still applies in addition to the charge.
9.1 The Vehicle is provided with roadside assistance. In the event of breakdown or fault: stop safely, secure any load, and contact the Company or the assistance number provided.
9.2 Do not authorise repairs, parts or recovery without the Company’s consent except to prevent immediate danger; unauthorised costs may not be reimbursed.
9.3 The Company is not liable for consequential losses (missed appointments, business interruption, lost profits) due to breakdown or delay.
10.1 In any accident or incident: (a) stop; (b) do not admit liability; (c) exchange details; (d) obtain witness information and photographs; (e) notify the police where required; and (f) inform the Company immediately.
10.2 Complete the accident report within 24 hours and cooperate with any investigation/insurer.
10.3 Keys must be removed and the Vehicle secured when unattended. Theft arising from failure to secure keys is chargeable.
11.1 Unless the Agreement states otherwise, self‑drive hire insurance is provided subject to the insurer’s terms and exclusions. The Hirer is liable for an insurance excess of £1,200 per incident. An optional Crash/Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) may be purchased (price as stated on the Agreement) to reduce the excess to £150 per incident, subject to eligibility and CDW terms. CDW is not insurance and does not cover excluded losses (see clause 11.2) or breaches of these Terms. The Hirer is liable for the insurance excess stated on the Agreement per incident.
11.2 Exclusions/limitations. CDW (if purchased) does not remove liability for, and may exclude or carry separate excesses for, windscreens, glass, mirrors, tyres, wheels, underside, roof, over‑height damage, winch damage, ramp damage, interior damage, or damage not caused by an insured incident.
11.3 Damage is assessed against the check‑out report and industry fair wear standards. The Hirer is liable for: (a) repair or replacement; (b) loss of use; (c) diminished value; (d) recovery and storage; and (e) reasonable admin fees.
11.4 The Hirer remains liable where insurance is invalidated by breach (e.g., unauthorised driver, intoxication, dangerous loading, illegal use).
13.1 The Company is not responsible for loss or damage to property carried in or on the Vehicle (including transported vehicles) or left on Company premises. The Hirer should arrange appropriate goods‑in‑transit or motor trade cover for third‑party vehicles as required.
14.1 The Company may terminate the Agreement immediately and repossess the Vehicle if: (a) the Hirer breaches these Terms; (b) payment is not made; (c) the Hirer becomes insolvent; or (d) in the Company’s reasonable opinion, continued hire presents risk.
14.2 On termination, all amounts become immediately due. Termination does not affect accrued rights.
15.1 Nothing limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or for fraud.
15.2 Subject to 15.1, the Company excludes all liability for indirect or consequential loss. The Company’s total liability in contract, tort or otherwise shall not exceed the total hire charges paid for the relevant Hire Period.
16.1 The Company processes personal data to administer the hire, verify identity, manage incidents, and handle tolls/PCNs. Data may be shared with insurers, recovery agents, authorities, and payment processors.
16.2 Vehicles may be equipped with GPS/telematics and dash cameras for safety, security, mileage, and compliance monitoring. Use of the Vehicle constitutes consent to such processing in accordance with the Company’s Privacy Notice.
Purpose. The Company is committed to a safe, respectful and professional environment for staff, customers, contractors and the public. Violent, aggressive or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Scope. This policy applies to all customers/clients and to all Company personnel and interactions (in person, telephone, email or other means).
Policy statement. Any act of violence, aggression, intimidation or threat—verbal, written, physical or implied—directed towards any person or property in connection with the Company will be treated with utmost seriousness. Prohibited behaviour includes, without limitation: physical assault/attempted assault; threats of harm; abusive or aggressive language; harassment, bullying or menacing behaviour; and damage to property.
Consequences. The Company reserves the right to immediately terminate any agreement, booking or contract; withdraw services and bar future dealings; and report incidents to the police and pursue civil/criminal proceedings where appropriate.
Zero tolerance. There will be no negotiation or leniency once such behaviour is identified. Your right to engage with the Company ends immediately if you display violent or threatening behaviour.
18.1 Notices under the Agreement must be in writing and delivered by hand, pre‑paid post or email to the address(es) stated in the Agreement. Notices by email are deemed received on the next business day.
19.1 Entire agreement. The Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes prior terms.
19.2 Variation. No variation is effective unless in writing and signed by the Company.
19.3 Severance. If any provision is held invalid, the remainder remains in force.
19.4 Waiver. No failure or delay to exercise any right constitutes a waiver.
19.5 Force majeure. The Company is not liable for delay or failure caused by events beyond its reasonable control.
19.6 Governing law & jurisdiction. These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
By signing the Agreement or taking possession of the Vehicle, the Hirer confirms they have read and understood these Terms (including the zero‑tolerance policy) and agree to be bound by them.
Plain‑English note: This webpage is a convenient summary of the Terms & Conditions. The signed hire agreement (including its rental summary and damage report) and these Terms together form the binding contract.