Effective September 2026
These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the 4Drive India booking service. By completing a booking through our platform, you accept these terms in full. Please read them carefully before proceeding with any reservation.
4Drive India operates a booking platform that connects clients with local car rental companies operating across Goa. We facilitate the reservation process and payment collection, but we are not the vehicle owner or lessor. The actual rental agreement is concluded directly between you and the local rental company at the time you collect the vehicle.
These terms cover your relationship with 4Drive India as the booking agent. Additional terms specific to the vehicle use, insurance coverage, damage liability, and operational restrictions are set out in the rental agreement you sign with the local company. Those terms are provided in your booking voucher and must be reviewed before collection.
Our role is limited to processing your reservation, transmitting payment, and issuing confirmation documentation. The local rental company bears sole responsibility for vehicle condition, roadside support, and compliance with the rental agreement.
When you complete a booking on our platform, you receive a voucher containing full details of your reservation: vehicle model, collection and return location, dates and times, contact details of the local rental company, and any additional services you have requested. This voucher must be presented when collecting the vehicle.
At the point of collection, you will sign a rental agreement directly with the local company. This agreement constitutes the legal contract for the hire of the vehicle. It will specify the condition of the vehicle, note any existing damage, set out mileage allowances, define permitted drivers, and detail the excess applicable to any insurance claim.
The rental company conducts a walk-around inspection with you before departure. Any scratches, dents, or other marks are recorded on the agreement. On return, the same inspection process confirms whether new damage has occurred. Disputes about vehicle condition are resolved directly with the rental company using the signed agreement as the reference document.
Depending on the rental company and location, collection may take place at a counter inside an airport terminal, at a lot adjacent to Goa Dabolim International Airport or Manohar International Airport, or by delivery to your hotel or accommodation. The specific arrangement is confirmed in your voucher. Collection times are chosen during the booking process and must be observed; late arrival may result in forfeiture of the reservation without refund.
At the time of booking, you pay an advance online by debit or credit card. This advance secures your reservation and is non-refundable except as provided in the cancellation section below. Cash payments are not accepted online.
The balance of the rental cost is due when you collect the vehicle. The payment method accepted for the balance depends on the specific vehicle you have booked and is stated clearly in your voucher. Some vehicles allow payment of the balance by debit card or cash; others require a credit card. There is no general rule by vehicle class or category; each listing shows the accepted methods during the booking process.
If you do not hold a credit card and the vehicle you wish to book requires one for balance payment, consider choosing an alternative vehicle that accepts debit card or cash. For those vehicles that do require a credit card, ensure your card has sufficient available credit to cover both the balance payment and any deposit hold.
Most local rental companies place a hold on your debit or credit card as a security deposit at the time of vehicle collection. This hold is separate from the rental cost and is released after the vehicle is returned undamaged and with a full fuel tank. The deposit amount and the card type required vary by vehicle and are specified in your booking voucher.
The deposit is not a charge; it is a temporary authorisation that reduces your available card limit. Banks typically release the hold within three to seven business days after the rental company cancels the authorisation, though the exact timing depends on your card issuer. If you pay the balance or deposit by debit card, ensure your account holds sufficient funds to cover the hold amount.
If damage occurs or fuel is not replaced, the rental company may convert part or all of the deposit hold into an actual charge to cover the shortfall. Any dispute over such charges must be raised directly with the rental company immediately upon return of the vehicle.
The person named as the primary driver on the booking must present a valid driving licence at collection. Licences issued outside India are generally accepted, but we strongly recommend obtaining an International Driving Permit to accompany your home licence, particularly if your licence is not printed in English. The rental company reserves the right to refuse the vehicle if documentation is deemed insufficient.
Additional drivers may be registered at the time of collection for a fee, provided they also present valid documentation. Only drivers registered on the rental agreement are permitted to operate the vehicle. Use of the vehicle by an unauthorised driver voids insurance coverage and makes you liable for all damage and third-party claims.
Minimum age requirements, maximum age limits, and minimum licence-holding periods vary by rental company and vehicle type. These restrictions are stated in the vehicle listing and voucher. Breach of these requirements may result in refusal to hand over the vehicle, with no refund of the advance paid.
Vehicles may be driven on public sealed roads and approved unsealed tracks within Goa state only. Travel to neighbouring states or cross-border journeys require prior written arrangement with the rental company and are not included in standard rental terms. Off-road driving, participation in races, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and carriage of hazardous materials are strictly prohibited.
Speed limits are enforced: typically 40-50 km/h in urban areas and 80-100 km/h on highways such as NH-66. Traffic drives on the left. Fuel is widely available from Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum stations. You must return the vehicle with the same fuel level as at collection, or a refuelling charge applies.
Monsoon rains from June to September can make some rural roads impassable. Exercise caution, reduce speed, and avoid flooded sections. The rental company and 4Drive India bear no liability for delays, accidents, or vehicle damage resulting from adverse weather or poor road conditions. The best driving conditions occur from October to May, when roads are dry and temperatures moderate.
If you need to modify your booking dates, collection time, or vehicle type, contact us via [email protected] as soon as possible. Changes are subject to availability and may incur an amendment fee. If the new booking total is higher than the original, you must pay the difference; if lower, the advance is not refundable, though credit may be offered at our discretion.
Cancellations made more than 48 hours before the scheduled collection time may be eligible for a partial refund of the advance, less an administrative fee. Cancellations within 48 hours of collection, or failure to collect the vehicle at the agreed time, result in forfeiture of the full advance. No refunds are given for early return of the vehicle or unused rental days.
4Drive India acts solely as a booking agent. We are not liable for the condition, performance, or safety of the vehicle, nor for any injury, loss, or damage arising from your use of the vehicle. The rental agreement you sign with the local company defines the extent of insurance coverage, the excess payable in the event of a claim, and your obligations regarding vehicle care.
You are responsible for all fines, tolls, and penalties incurred during the rental period. The rental company will pass on any charges received after return of the vehicle, plus an administration fee. Parking fines, speeding tickets, and congestion charges are your liability and must be settled promptly.
In the event of an accident, you must notify the rental company immediately and obtain a police report if required by local law. Failure to follow the correct accident procedure may void your insurance coverage and expose you to full liability for damage and third-party claims.
If you experience a problem with your rental, first contact the local rental company using the details provided in your voucher. Most issues can be resolved quickly on the ground. If the matter remains unresolved or you wish to escalate a complaint, email us at [email protected] with your booking reference, a description of the issue, and any supporting evidence such as photographs or correspondence.
We will investigate your complaint and liaise with the rental company on your behalf. While we will make every reasonable effort to achieve a satisfactory outcome, we cannot compel the rental company to provide compensation or accept liability where the rental agreement terms have been followed. Our maximum liability to you is limited to the advance payment you made through our platform.
These Terms and Conditions and any dispute arising from your booking are governed by the laws of India. Any legal proceedings must be brought in the courts of Goa. By making a booking, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts.
If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force. Our failure to enforce any term does not constitute a waiver of that term or any other provision.
For questions about these terms, contact us at [email protected] or visit our office at Fontainhas, Panaji, India, during business hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (GMT+5:30).