Guests are expected to return vehicles at the scheduled time to avoid inconveniencing the host or causing disruptions to future bookings. However, Drive lah offers a grace period and a late return fee structure to account for unforeseen delays.
Grace Period
Drive lah understands that delays can happen due to traffic or other unforeseen circumstances. To accommodate this, a grace period of 10 minutes is provided.
Example: If the car is scheduled to be returned at 6:00 PM, the guest will not incur any late fee if the vehicle is returned by 6:10 PM.
After the grace period: Late fees will begin to apply starting from 6:10 PM.
Late Return Fees
Late return fees are calculated based on the delay duration and are as follows:
Standard Rate: $25 per hour of delay
Prorated Daily Trip Price: In some cases, a fee based on the daily trip price may apply, at Drive lah's discretion.
Cap on Late Fees: Late fees are capped at 2x the daily or hourly trip price, whichever applies.
Examples of Late Fees:
If the trip is 24 hours or longer (e.g., $80/day):
6-hour delay: $150 ($25 x 6 hours)
8-hour delay: $160 (capped at 2x the daily price of $80)
Payment of Late Fees:
Host Payment: 80% of the late return fee is paid to the host.
Processing Fee: A 4% processing fee applies to the total late return fee.
Additional Charges for Extended Delays
In the case of substantial lateness:
Additional Fines: Drive lah may assess additional fines at its discretion, depending on the delay’s impact.
Repossession Fee: If the guest is unable to return the car within a reasonable timeframe, Drive lah may repossess the vehicle.
How to Handle Late Returns
Host Responsibility: If a host wants to assess a late return fee, they must contact Drive lah within 24 hours of the scheduled end of the trip. The host should provide:
The guest’s name
The actual time the vehicle was returned
Guest Disputes: If a guest disputes the late return timing, they must provide evidence showing the exact time the car was returned.
Proof of Late Return: Late return proof will be determined based on the pick-up and drop-off times recorded on the platform, and this decision is made at Drive lah’s discretion.
Security Deposit for Unreturned Cars
48-Hour Limit: If the car is not returned within 48 hours of the scheduled drop-off time, Drive lah will charge the guest’s card for the security deposit amount.
Summary of Key Points
A grace period of 10 minutes is allowed before late return fees are applied.
Late fees are $25 per hour and are capped at 2x the trip’s daily or hourly price.
80% of late fees are paid to the host, with a 4% processing fee.
Repossession may be initiated if the car is not returned in a reasonable time.
If the car is not returned within 48 hours, the guest’s security deposit will be charged.