Who we are
Signature Ride Ltd., trading as Signature Ride (hereafter referred to as “the Operator”), provides transportation services to passengers, their luggage, and personal items under the following terms and conditions. These terms cannot be altered by any employee or representative of the Operator unless authorized in writing by a Director, Principal, Partner, or other authorized personnel. In the event of any conflict between these terms and applicable law, the relevant legislation shall prevail. By using our Website or Mobile Application and making a booking, you agree to these terms and conditions.
Section 1: Definitions
- Customer: Refers to an individual or company that contracts with the Operator for its services.
- Cancellation Fee: The fee charged by the Operator when the Customer cancels the service prior to the scheduled pickup time.
- Cancellation on Arrival Fee: The fee charged when a passenger is not ready for collection within the waiting time allowed by the Operator.
- Conditions: Refers to these terms of carriage, including any future modifications communicated to the Customer by the Operator.
- Contract: The agreement between the Customer and the Operator based on these Conditions, applicable to all bookings.
- Our Rates: The Operator’s list of charges for services, including any additional charges provided to the Customer or published on the Operator’s website at the time of booking.
- Luggage & Personal Items: Includes suitcases, bags, and other items used by passengers to transport their belongings during the service. This also includes smaller personal items such as handbags, mobile phones, personal devices, sunglasses, and keys brought into the vehicle by passengers but not contained within larger bags or suitcases.
- Passenger: Any individual, including the Customer, who is transported by the Operator from one location to another.
- Service: The transportation service provided to the Customer as requested.
- Privacy Policy: The Operator’s policy regarding the privacy and protection of customer data.
Section 2: Contractual Relationship
The Operator, as a licensed provider of private hire services, establishes a contractual relationship with the Customer under the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 and the Divisional Court’s ruling of December 6, 2021.
Carriage of Passengers and Luggage
The Customer acts as an agent for all passengers and agrees on their behalf to these conditions.
Right of Driver to Refuse Carriage
The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle and its occupants. The driver reserves the right to refuse carriage to any passenger whose behavior appears to be disorderly, threatening, abusive, dangerous, or in violation of statutory regulations. The Customer shall be held accountable for the behavior of any passenger and will indemnify the Operator against any damage or injury caused by the Customer or any passenger to the vehicle, driver, or third-party property.
Loss of Passengers’ Luggage
Passengers are responsible for their Luggage & Personal Items throughout the journey. They must ensure all items are properly loaded and unloaded from the vehicle. The Operator is not liable for any loss or damage to Luggage & Personal Items or any consequential loss resulting from items not being properly loaded or unloaded.
Passengers Taken Ill
The Customer is liable for the behavior of passengers and shall cover any costs of damage caused to the vehicle or property, including cleaning charges for spills or soiling. Additionally, the Customer shall compensate the Operator or its employees for any loss of earnings resulting from the vehicle being out of service during cleaning.
Additional Mileage – A to B Bookings
Passengers may request additional stops during the journey. For any additional stop not included in the initial booking, the Operator reserves the right to charge a “Waypoint” fee of £5, along with any additional mileage as per “Our Rates”.
Additional Mileage – Hourly Hire
“Hourly Hire” bookings include 10 miles of travel per hour. Should the total distance driven exceed this allowance, the Operator reserves the right to charge for the additional mileage based on “Our Rates”.
Waiting Time – A to B Bookings
Passengers and their luggage must be ready at the specified pickup time. The Operator allows a 15-minute complimentary waiting period. If passengers are not on board within this time, the Operator may charge for additional waiting time in 15-minute increments based on “Our Rates”. After the first 15 minutes, the Operator reserves the right to terminate the Contract and charge a termination fee equivalent to the full booking price.
Waiting Time – Hourly Hire
Passengers should be ready at the specified pickup time. There is no complimentary waiting time for these bookings, but the car will remain on standby until either the Passenger is onboard or the booked time ends. If the booking is canceled during the standby time, the Operator may charge the full booking price.
Waiting Time – Airport, Seaport, and International Train Terminal Collections
For collections from airports, seaports, or international train terminals, the Operator allows a 30-minute complimentary waiting period starting from the estimated arrival time. Beyond 30 minutes, additional waiting time will be charged in 30-minute increments as per “Our Rates”. The Operator may terminate the Contract at any time after the initial 30 minutes and may apply a termination fee equal to the total price of the booking.
Left Luggage
If any items are left in the vehicle after completion of the Service, the Operator will inform the Customer and provide instructions on where and when these items can be collected.
Animals
With the exception of guide dogs accompanying registered disabled passengers, the Operator does not allow the transport of animals.
Seat Belts/Legal Requirements/Driver’s Hours
The Customer and passenger(s) must not request the driver to violate any provisions of the Road Traffic Acts or rules contained in the Transport Act 1968, AETR Agreement, or EU Regulations (EC Reg. 561/2006, as amended), including rules related to driver’s maximum daily hours and rest periods. Passengers must comply with all applicable legislation and regulations, including the requirement to wear seat belts.
Minors
The Operator does not transport unaccompanied minors under the age of 14.
Route Taken
Unless otherwise directed by the passenger, the driver will determine the route based on current traffic, road conditions, and weather.
Missed Flights or Delays
The Customer is responsible for allowing sufficient time for the completion of the Service. While the Operator provides journey time advice in good faith, it does not guarantee specific completion times. The Operator is not liable for any direct or consequential loss, delay, or inconvenience experienced by the passenger(s) due to the actual journey time, including flight and hotel costs.
Section 3: General Conditions
Commencement and End of Service
The service begins when the vehicle arrives to collect passengers at the specified time and location and ends when passengers are delivered to the agreed destination.
Right to Subcontract the Service
The Operator may engage licensed London drivers, London licensed operators, or operators covered by the Deregulation Act 2015, Section 11 (Private hire vehicles: sub-contracting regulations) to perform the Service. Upon request, the Operator will provide the name of any sub-contractor to the Customer.
Operator’s Charges
The Operator’s charges are based on “Our Rates” and may include VAT, if required by law. The Customer must fully pay the Operator’s charges within 30 days from the date of the Operator’s invoice, without any deductions or set-offs against alleged claims. Any disputes regarding the Operator’s charges must be raised in writing within 7 days of the invoice date.
No Variation of Terms
These Conditions apply exclusively and supersede any other terms and conditions, including those of the Customer. Unless agreed in writing by a Director of the Operator, no employee, agent, or sub-contractor of the Operator is authorized to alter or vary these Conditions.
Cancellations
- Bookings cancelled more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time will not incur a cancellation fee.
- Bookings cancelled between 24 hours and 1 hour prior to the scheduled start time will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee.
- Bookings cancelled within 1 hour of the scheduled start time will incur a 100% cancellation fee.
- For long-distance trips where the driver is required to travel more than one hour towards the pickup location, a cancellation fee equivalent to the full booking price will apply once the driver has commenced the journey towards the Customer, regardless of when the cancellation is made.
Amendments to Bookings
If a booking is amended within 24 hours of the scheduled start time or once the passenger is onboard, and the amendment results in a shorter booking, the original price of the booking will still apply. No price reductions or refunds will be made for unused portions of the original booking.
Discount Codes
Discount codes are valid for one-time use per customer. If a discount code is used more than once, the discount will be considered void, and the full price of the service will be applied. The Operator reserves the right to review and adjust any booking where a discount code has been improperly used.
General Indemnity
The Customer must indemnify the Operator for any consequences resulting from errors, omissions, misstatements, or misrepresentations by the Customer or their employees or agents. The Customer is also responsible for claims exceeding the Operator’s liability under these Conditions.
Severability
If any part of these conditions is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue to apply.
Claims
No claim can be brought against any officer, employee, or sub-contractor of Signature Ride Limited.
Law and Jurisdiction
These Conditions and the Contract they apply to are subject to English law. Any dispute between the Customer and the Operator shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.