Terms & Conditions (Chauffeur Service)

Terms & Conditions

Insurance

Only our drivers are permitted and insured to drive OUR vehicles.

In the event of using YOUR vehicle it is your responsibility to ensure that the chauffeur is covered,at least as a named driver on the vehicle to be driven, at your own cost,if any.

You MUST provide a copy of proof of cover before the driver will drive your vehicle.

All luggage and personal effects are carried in the vehicle at the owners risk. You should effect comprehensive travel insurance during your stay to cover this risk. If you wish we can provide you with such cover through a major insurer.

No liability is accepted for loss damage or theft to luggage property or personal effects carried in the vehicle however that occurs.

Driver Regulations

We abide by all Legal statutary and recommended requirements and regulations. This means that Chauffeurs rest periods and working hours may affect journey times.

The driver will follow traffic regulations especially speed limits and parking regulations. Wherever possible the driver will use his judgement to drive at a comfortable pace below the legal limit if appropriate to the road conditions and clients time constraints. At all times safety will be the primary factor and the driver will refuse to drive in a way that he considers to be unsafe or inappropriate to the prevailing weather or road conditions.

Also the driver will not permit unrestrained children, pets, loud music or anything else that causes distractions at his total and final discretion.

Payment Terms and Cancellation Charges

All invoices are raised in Sterling and the minimum charge per day, plus vehicle costs where applicable are payable in advance by transfer to our Bank as cleared funds. Credit cards are also accepted.

All extra hours, drivers non-working hours & meal allowances etc are invoiced at the end of each week of hire and are payable immediately by Bank transfer as cleared funds or credit card payment. A surcharge of 20% is added for invoices not paid within 7 days.
As we have to pay for our costs in advance we are currently unable to offer Account terms.
As our turnover is currently below the UK VAT threshold VAT is not charged.

The period of hire and drivers hours commence when the driver leaves our premises, and finishes when he returns there. Our premises are in São Bartolomeu de Messines.

We will carry a reasonable amount of luggage. The traffic laws in Portugal are very strict and wide ranging. For example there are very specific and strict rules about overloading, visibility and the driver has absolute discretion in what to carry particularly bulky or very heavy items. He will not carry more people than there are licensed seats and will strictly follow child safety requirement including booster seats etc. It is not permitted for a child under 12 to be carried in the front seats.

We reserve the right to cancel travel arrangements in the event of a national emergency,war,riot, or other serious problem of any nature. In the event of such cancellation no liability is accepted by us.

We are unable to accept liability for delays however caused.

Cancellation with less than 7 days notice will result all charges paid being forfeit,together with any vehicle charges paid if applicable. A receipt will be provided for insurance purposes if so required.

General Conditions

All vehicles are NON SMOKING vehicles. Wherever requested the driver will try to take a smoking break for the client.But he can only stop when it is safe to do so.

It is against the law in Portugal for ANYONE to consume alcohol in the vehicle.

We will supply when requested an electric coolbox which can be stocked with water and/or soft drinks. A daily English Language newspaper can be supplied if requested.

We will hold liable any client who cause damage or are responsible for an act which results in the vehicle being unsuitable for hire at the end of a hire period. An example of this would be where a clean or valet of the interior of the vehicle is neccessary. The client will be invoiced for all associated cleaning costs and any resulting cancelled bookings.

Although our reputation is built on our absolute discretion. Should you deem it neccessary the driver will be happy to sign any non-disclosure agreement you may require.

The contract with the client is deemed to occur in the UK and the conditions set out, and all other expressed terms of contract, shall be governed and are construed in accordance with the laws of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Petrol, Insurance excess & Repairs

Chauffeur Driver Contract: (Your vehicle or a hired car)

In this contract you are expected and indeed required to provide a safe comfortable and roadworthy vehicle.

Fuel and repairs are the responsibility of the client. If the car is owned by the client the car should be full of fuel and in good working order. If fuel or repairs are required during the period of hire the client will be required to pay for them.Although the chauffeur is a member of the ACP (portugal automobile association)he has no funds to purchase fuel or pay for repairs on behalf of the client.

The driver has absolute discretion and will refuse to drive any car that he is unhappy with. He will pay particular attention to (but not exclusively) the documentation, cleanliness, brakes,steering,suspension,glass,mirrors, tyres and general condition of the vehicle.He has an absolute right to refuse to drive any vehicle which in his opinion is not suitable or safe or where the documentation or insurance details provided are inadequate.No refund will be given in these circumstances.

The client is responsible for all costs of repair, fuel, parking fines, fines relating to vehicle condition and use or any other costs not directly related to the driving conduct of the driver.

In the event of an accident the client is responsible for any policy excess and increased costs of insurance following a claim. The client is also responsible for any third party liability, statutory reporting to the authorities and any incidental costs relating to the incident. It is a requirement for our driver to complete our accident report form a copy of which will be made available to the client if appropriate.

Driver Dress Code

Portugal is a hot (and relaxed !!) country, however your driver will usually be dressed in a smart dark business suit,black shoes white shirt and a red or black tie. As it is usually very hot here the driver will not always wear a jacket unless specifically requested to do so by the client. If you require informality a driver can wear a "polo" shirt instead of shirt & tie if you prefer.

Gratutities:
It is the custom in Portugal to reward customer service excellence (although it is sometimes hard to find here !!) and although no gratuities are expected the norm in this sector would be 10-15% at your discretion.

Contact Details (Portugal)

Owners In Portugal
Apartado 134
São Bartolomeu de Messines 8375-999
Algarve Portugal

Telephone/fax (00 351) 282 338 269
UK Contact Number 01798 888083

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