Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the mobility services, fleet vehicles, website (padmasritravels.com), and customer mobile application provided by Padma Sri Travels(“PST”, “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), an authorized APTS-licensed travel operator headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

By reserving a vehicle, confirming a booking, executing a rental handover, or utilizing our chauffeur services, you (“Customer”, “Renter”, or “User”) acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must refrain from booking or operating our vehicles.

2. Eligibility & Driver Qualifications

A. Minimum Age Requirements

• Self-Drive Vehicle Rentals: The primary renter and any authorized additional drivers must be at least 21 years of age at the time of vehicle pickup.
• Chauffeur-Driven Rentals: The primary booking contact must be at least 18 years of age.

B. Driving License & Verification Documents (Self-Drive)

• Valid Driving License: The renter must present a valid, original physical Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving license issued by the relevant Indian Regional Transport Office (RTO), held for a minimum of 1 year without major driving disqualifications or suspensions.
• International Renters: Non-Indian residents must produce a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) accompanied by their native country’s original physical driving license and valid passport with visa documentation.
• Identity Verification: An original government-issued photo identity proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Voter ID) must be furnished and verified at the time of physical vehicle delivery.
• Right to Refuse: We reserve the strict right to withhold or cancel vehicle handover without liability if valid original documentation cannot be produced or if the driver appears impaired or unfit to drive.

3. Booking, Pricing & Payment Terms

All reservations made through our website, mobile application, or telephone hotline are subject to vehicle availability and written or digital confirmation by Padma Sri Travels:

• Transparent Pricing: Rental rates are calculated based on the selected package tier, vehicle brand/model, scheduled duration (days and extra hours), and distance allowance (included kilometers).
• Extra Kilometers & Extra Hours: Travel exceeding the package allowance will be billed at the standard extra kilometer and extra hourly rates specified in your confirmed booking summary.
• Driver Allowances (Bhatta): For chauffeur-driven outstation and long-distance bookings, a driver allowance (Bhatta) is applicable per calendar day as detailed during checkout.
• Tolls, Parking & State Taxes: Toll charges (deducted via FASTag), airport parking fees, and interstate entry taxes are not included in standard base packages and must be paid by the customer at actuals.
• Payment Methods: All payments must be made through authorized electronic gateways (UPI, debit/credit cards, net banking) or verified corporate billing accounts. Cash payments must be supported by official receipts.

4. Booking Cancellation, Rescheduling & Refund Policy

We recognize that travel plans may change. Cancellations and modifications are governed strictly by the scheduled service type and notice window:

A. Rescheduling Rules

Rescheduling is permitted through the mobile application or customer profile panel subject to vehicle availability. If rescheduled more than 24 hours before pickup (or 3 hours for Airport Transfers), no modification fee is charged. The customer pays or receives the fare differential based on updated dates and packages.

B. No-Show Policy

If the renter fails to arrive at the agreed pickup location within 2 hours of the scheduled pickup time without prior notification, the booking will be designated as a “No-Show”. The advance booking deposit will be forfeited, and the vehicle will be released back into general fleet availability.

C. Refund Processing Timelines

Approved refunds are initiated within 48 hours of cancellation and credited to the original source payment instrument (bank account, UPI, or card) within 5 to 7 business days, subject to bank processing cycles.

5. User Obligations & Prohibited Vehicle Uses

The renter agrees to operate the vehicle with utmost care and in strict compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Central Motor Vehicles Rules, and local traffic laws.

A. Strict Prohibitions

Under no circumstances shall the vehicle be used or operated for any of the following prohibited activities:

• Driving Under the Influence: Operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, or any prescription medication that impairs consciousness or reflexes (Zero Tolerance Policy).
• Unauthorized Drivers: Permitting any individual other than the verified, registered primary renter or documented co-driver to operate the vehicle.
• Commercial Sub-Leasing: Sub-renting, leasing, or using the vehicle for commercial passenger carriage for hire, courier logistics, or peer-to-peer ridesharing.
• Racing & Speed Contests: Engaging in racing, speed testing, rallies, stunt driving, or vehicle endurance trials.
• Illegal Cargo & Contraband: Transporting illegal substances, weapons, explosives, hazardous chemicals, contraband goods, or excessive flammable materials.
• Overcrowding & Overloading: Carrying passengers in excess of the vehicle’s manufacturer-certified seating capacity.
• Towing & Pushing: Using the vehicle to tow or push other vehicles, trailers, or heavy machinery.
• Off-Road Driving: Operating the vehicle on unpaved terrain, riverbeds, beaches, or paths unsuitable for vehicular transit.
• Hardware Tampering: Tampering with, disconnecting, or altering odometers, speed limit governors, FASTags, or onboard GPS tracking modules.

6. Vehicle Damage, Security Deposit & Insurance Coverage

A. Security Deposit

A refundable security deposit is required for all self-drive rentals prior to vehicle release. The deposit is held to cover incidental liabilities, extra usage charges, pending FASTag tolls, fuel deficits, or minor damages. Following vehicle return and joint inspection, the deposit is refunded within 24 to 48 hours, net of any valid deductions.

B. Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspection

A joint physical and digital inspection of the vehicle will be performed at the time of delivery and return. Existing minor scuffs, fuel levels, odometer readings, and accessory inventory will be logged. The renter is responsible for returning the vehicle in substantially the same clean, undamaged condition in which it was received.

C. Insurance Coverage & Limitation of Liability

• Comprehensive Commercial Insurance: All Padma Sri Travels vehicles are covered under comprehensive commercial motor vehicle insurance policies as mandated by Indian statute.
• Standard Deductible (Customer Excess): In the event of an unavoidable, genuine road collision or accidental damage, the renter’s financial liability is limited to the statutory insurance deductible and processing excess, provided that no breach of these Terms occurred.
• Loss of Insurance Protection: If vehicle damage occurs while the renter is in breach of fundamental obligations—such as driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, permitting an unlicensed driver, driving on the wrong side of the road, fleeing an accident scene, or operating off-road—the insurance policy is entirely voided, and the customer assumes 100% financial and legal liability for all repairs, replacement costs, third-party claims, and downtime revenue losses.
• Interior Damage & Smoking: Smoking, tobacco use, and excessive interior staining or tearing are strictly prohibited and incur a mandatory professional detailing fee of up to &rupee;3,000.

7. Traffic Fines, E-Challans & FASTag Tolls

• Traffic Penalties: The renter is solely and fully responsible for any traffic violations, speeding citations, signal jump penalties, parking tickets, or automated e-challans issued by police authorities during the rental possession window.
• Automatic Reconciliation: If an e-challan or traffic violation fine is levied against the vehicle during your rental period, Padma Sri Travels will notify you and deduct the penalty amount from your security deposit or invoice your registered account.
• FASTag Toll Charges: FASTag deductions incurred during your trip will be reconciled against your booking invoice or deducted from the security deposit at actual rates.

8. Mechanical Breakdowns & Roadside Assistance

Padma Sri Travels maintains all vehicles to stringent manufacturer service standards. In the unlikely event of a mechanical breakdown:

• 24/7 Helpline: The customer must immediately contact our 24/7 Logistics Helpline at +91 96769 16668.
• Authorized Repairs: The customer must not commission unauthorized repairs, parts replacements, or third-party towing without prior written consent from our operations desk.
• Vehicle Replacement: For non-culpable mechanical faults that cannot be resolved promptly on-site, Padma Sri Travels will make commercially reasonable efforts to dispatch a replacement vehicle or arrange alternate transit.

9. Dispute Resolution & Governing Jurisdiction

A. Governing Law

These Terms of Service and any contractual or non-contractual disputes arising out of or related to our mobility services shall be governed by, interpreted, and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the Republic of India.

B. Exclusive Jurisdiction (Hyderabad, Telangana)

Any claim, legal action, dispute, or lawsuit arising out of or in connection with these Terms, vehicle rentals, booking transactions, or passenger transit shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of law located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Both parties expressly waive any objection to jurisdiction or venue in such courts.

C. Amicable Resolution & Arbitration

In the event of any grievance or dispute, the parties agree to first endeavor to resolve the matter amicably through good-faith mutual discussions. If unresolved within 30 days, the dispute may be referred to a sole arbitrator appointed mutually under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, with the seat and venue of arbitration at Hyderabad, Telangana.

10. Modifications to Terms

Padma Sri Travels reserves the right to amend or update these Terms of Service at any time. Changes will take effect immediately upon posting to our website and mobile application. Your continued reservation or use of our services following any modification constitutes conclusive acceptance of the revised Terms.

11. Contact & Support Assistance

For inquiries regarding these Terms of Service, rental contracts, corporate mobility agreements, or booking assistance, please contact us: