Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of the idle.taxi Limited (registered company number 16312217), trading as idle, mobile application (“App”) operated by idle (“we,” “us,” or “our”). By downloading, installing, or using our App, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

2. Description of Service

idle provides a technology platform connecting riders with independent drivers for private hire transportation services in the United Kingdom. We offer two applications:

• Rider App: allows users to request rides from licensed private hire drivers
• Driver App: allows licensed drivers to receive and accept ride requests

Important: idle is a technology platform only. We do not provide transportation services directly. All rides are provided by independent drivers who hold appropriate licences and insurance.

3. Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old to use the Driver App
• You must be at least 18 years old to use the Rider App
• You must provide accurate registration information
• You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations

4. User Accounts

4.1 Registration

• You must create an account to use our services
• You are responsible for maintaining account security
• You must provide accurate and current information
• One person may not maintain multiple accounts

4.2 Account Termination

• You may terminate your account at any time
• We may suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms
• Upon termination, your right to use the App ceases immediately

5. Regulatory Compliance and Driver Requirements

5.1 UK Private Hire Licensing

• All drivers must hold valid private hire driver licences from appropriate local authorities
• Vehicles must be licensed for private hire use
• Drivers must comply with all local authority conditions and regulations
• We reserve the right to verify licensing status at any time

5.2 Driver Eligibility Requirements

• Valid UK or EU driving licence
• Private hire driver licence from the relevant local authority
• Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check
• Vehicle insurance covering private hire, with a minimum of £5 million public liability in place at all times
• Vehicle meeting local authority standards and MOT requirements
• Right to work in the UK

5.3 Ongoing Compliance

• Drivers must maintain all licences and certifications
• Immediate notification required for any licence suspensions or revocations
• Regular re-verification of documents may be required
• Failure to maintain compliance results in immediate account suspension

6. Driver-Specific Terms

6.1 Independent Contractor Status

• Drivers are independent contractors, not employees of idle
• Drivers are responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and regulatory compliance
• No employment relationship is created between drivers and idle
• There is no guarantee of work provided by the platform

6.2 Driver Subscription

• The Driver App requires a daily subscription fee that covers your access for 24 hours
• Subscription fees are non-refundable
• We reserve the right to modify subscription fees with 30 days’ notice

6.3 Driver Responsibilities

• Provide safe, courteous, and professional service
• Maintain the vehicle in roadworthy condition
• Follow all traffic laws and regulations
• Complete rides as requested through the platform
• Maintain appropriate insurance coverage

7. Insurance and Liability

7.1 Driver Insurance Requirements

• Drivers must maintain comprehensive motor insurance covering private hire use
• Minimum coverage as required by UK law, local authority regulations, and idle
• Insurance must be valid throughout the duration of platform use
• Proof of insurance must be provided and kept current

7.2 Platform Liability Limitations

• idle is not liable for accidents, injuries, or damages during rides
• All transportation services are provided by independent drivers
• Riders and drivers interact at their own risk
• We do not guarantee the safety, quality, or reliability of transportation services

7.3 Incident Procedures

• All accidents or incidents must be reported immediately through the app
• Users must cooperate with insurance investigations
• Emergency services should be contacted first in the case of serious incidents
• We will assist with information sharing as required by insurance providers or other professional bodies involved in the investigation of any accidents or incidents

7.4 Insurance Coverage Gaps

• Users acknowledge potential gaps between driver insurance and platform coverage
• Additional insurance may be advisable for frequent users
• We recommend reviewing personal insurance policies for coverage during ride-sharing

8. Safety and Security

8.1 Safety Measures

• All drivers undergo background checks and licence verification
• Real-time GPS tracking during rides for safety monitoring
• In-app emergency button connecting to emergency services
• 24/7 incident reporting and support system

8.2 User Safety Responsibilities

• Verify driver and vehicle details before entering the vehicle
• Share trip details with trusted contacts when appropriate
• Report any safety concerns immediately through the app
• Follow local safety guidelines and common-sense precautions

8.3 Emergency Procedures

• In immediate danger, call 999 (emergency services) first
• Report incidents through the app as soon as it is safe to do so
• Cooperate with law enforcement and safety investigations

8.4 Prohibited Conduct

• No harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behaviour
• No illegal activities or transportation of illegal items
• No consumption of alcohol or drugs during rides
• No damage to vehicles or property

9. Payment Terms

9.1 Rider Payments

• Payment is processed securely through Stripe Connect
• Accepted payment methods include credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
• You authorise Stripe Connect to charge your selected payment method for completed rides
• Pricing is displayed before ride confirmation
• All payments are final and non-refundable except in cases of service failure

9.2 Driver Payments

• Drivers receive payment for completed rides minus any third-party payment processing fees
• Payments are processed on demand to the driver’s registered bank account
• Drivers are responsible for applicable taxes and National Insurance contributions
• Payment disputes must be reported within 24 hours of ride completion

9.3 Pricing and Fees

• Ride pricing is calculated based on distance, time of journey, and time of day. Base rates are agreed with drivers for your local area.
• Subscription costs are clearly disclosed. Third-party payment fees are 20p per ride and 1.5% of your total cost.
• Cancellation fees may apply as per our cancellation policy

10. Prohibited Uses

You may not:

• Use the App for illegal activities or transport illegal items
• Harass, abuse, discriminate against, or harm other users
• Provide false or misleading information during registration or use
• Attempt to circumvent security measures or hack the platform
• Use automated systems to access the App or create fake accounts
• Violate any applicable laws, regulations, or licensing requirements
• Use the service for commercial purposes other than as intended

11. Privacy and Data

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy, which governs the collection and use of your information, including:

• Location data collection and usage
• Personal information handling
• Third-party service integrations
• Data retention and security measures

12. Intellectual Property

• The App and its content are owned by idle and protected by intellectual property laws
• You are granted a limited, non-exclusive licence to use the App for its intended purpose
• You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works without permission
• All trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners

13. Disclaimers

13.1 Service Availability

• We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service
• The App is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind
• We are not liable for service interruptions or technical issues
• Maintenance and updates may temporarily affect service availability

13.2 Transportation Services

• We are a technology platform, not a transportation provider
• Drivers are independent contractors providing their own services
• We do not guarantee the quality, safety, or reliability of transportation services
• Users assume all risks associated with ride-sharing activities

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless idle, its officers, directors, and employees from claims arising from:

• Your use of the App or transportation services
• Your violation of these Terms or applicable laws
• Your actions as a driver or rider on the platform
• Any damage or injury caused by your conduct

15. Dispute Resolution

15.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

15.2 Jurisdiction

Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of England and Wales.

15.3 Alternative Dispute Resolution

We encourage resolution of disputes through our customer service team before pursuing legal action.

16. Account Termination

16.1 User Termination

• You may terminate your account at any time through the app settings
• Upon termination, your right to use the App ceases immediately
• Some data may be retained as required by law or for legitimate business purposes

16.2 Platform Termination

• We may suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms
• We may terminate accounts for safety, legal, or regulatory reasons
• We reserve the right to refuse service to any user

17. Changes to These Terms

• We may modify these Terms at any time with reasonable notice
• Changes will be posted in the App and on our website
• Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms
• Material changes will be communicated directly to users

18. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, contact us at admin@driveidle.com or visit driveidle.com.

19. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect.

20. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and idle regarding the App.

21. Complaints

• If you wish to raise a complaint, please complete our official complaints form.
• All complaints submitted will be reviewed by the idle Management Team, who will take appropriate action.
• If a complaint is found to be valid, we reserve the right to share all relevant details with the appropriate licensing authority.

22. Lost Property

• Drivers must check their vehicle for lost property at the end of each journey and report any found items to idle immediately using the specified reporting process.
• Drivers must store found items securely and must not return property directly to a passenger in person, or hand items to any third party (including the police), unless instructed by idle. This is for the safety and protection of both drivers and riders.
• idle will determine the appropriate method of handling lost property. This may include returning the item through an approved, auditable collection method; holding the item for a retention period; delivery to a designated collection point; or, where required by law or regulation, submission to the police.
• Where idle instructs a driver to hand an item to the police (for example, weapons, suspected illegal items, large cash amounts, or unclaimed passports), the driver must obtain proof of handover and upload it to idle as part of the lost property record.
• Lost property returns may require identity verification and may be subject to a delivery or processing fee where applicable. idle may request further information if required by authorities.
• Riders can report lost property through the Rider Lost Property form.

23. Accessibility and Assisted Travel

idle is committed to providing safe and inclusive transport services for passengers with disabilities, mobility requirements, and assistance dogs. All drivers using the idle platform are required to comply with the Equality Act 2010 and any disability-related rules issued by their licensing authority. Full details are set out in our Accessibility Policy.