Rental Terms and Conditions
If you want to read the rental contract in its most formal form, identical to the one you will receive when picking up the vehicle, click here.
If you want to read the rental rules and terms in more everyday language, read the text below.
» RESERVATIONS
(carried out at www.drivalia.pt)
The DRIVALIA rent a car service provided through its website, and provided by the company Drivalia Portugal - Automóveis de Rental sem Condutor, S.A. with registered office at Rua José Fonseca Carvalho, 9 2685-869 Prior Velho, is governed by the following terms regarding payments:
i) The online rental car request allows two methods of payment: immediate (full amount) or later (most of the amount).
ii) When submitting the car reservation for subsequent payment online, a minimum settlement of 10% of the requested rental amount is required at that time; this amount is intended to ensure a commitment to the required vehicle and is non-refundable.
iii) The remaining amount of subsequent payment will be made when picking up the vehicle (or before).
iv) Up to 24 hours before the start of the rental, on the website or by email, the reservation can be canceled free of charge; Payments made will be returned (up to ±15 days later) except for the 10% of the rental amount referred to in paragraph ii).
v) If the customer does not show up to pick up the vehicle on the day and at the scheduled time (vehicle is retained for 24 hours), DRIVALIA reserves the right to charge additionally the value of 1 day of this rental.
» TERMS OF THE RENTAL TO BE CONTRACTED
I - CONDITIONS IN GENERAL
Service provided
Car mobility is made possible by providing a vehicle for driving normally by the service applicant. As requested in writing (type of car, dates/times, location), the vehicle is intended for occasional, cyclical or continuous use: rental from one to several days or even months, intermittently or uninterruptedly, requiring a contract or lease agreements.
Basic car rental requirements
As a general rule, the driver must have a valid light vehicle driving license for at least 1 year and a minimum of 25 years of age. There is, however, the conditional possibility (subject to an extra charge) of accepting a reduction in the indicated age (note: in vehicles older than this, the minimum age may be 30 years and the driving license 3 years).
Any additional drivers – will have to be identified in the rental contract – must meet the same requirements referred to above and their inclusion in the rental contract must be requested, subject to a fee for each additional driver up to a usual maximum of three (main driver and two additional ones).
It is also normally necessary to have a valid credit card to provide a deposit (guarantee on eventual car damage) and to present a valid citizen card, or equivalent document, of the driver(s).
Vehicle provided
The cars included in the fleet of different brands and models are divided into types of vehicles designated by categories – Economy, Convertibles, Superior, Commercial Cargo, etc. – which in turn are subdivided into groups – A, B, C,… – more or less homogeneous (acquisition value, power, dimensions, gearbox, fuel,…).
The customer requests the desired car group and, with confirmation of availability at the desired location usually in the DRIVALIA network, receives the vehicle that is available within the order.
If there is a preference for specific models (brand, color, level of equipment,...) you will have to request it in advance to see if it is possible, as normally models are not guaranteed, but car groups.
(it may depend on fuel, transmission, version,..., but, for example, the following models normally constitute the same type of car: Citroën C3, Ford Fiesta, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, Toyota Yaris, VW Polo – the customer will receive what is available)
DRIVALIA also reserves the right not to make the vehicle available if the driver is unable to drive or shows signs of lack of suitability.
Rate inclusions
In addition to the enjoyment of the vehicle, motor liability insurance, supplementary collision damage coverage (CDW in international terminology), 24-hour roadside assistance and an international motor insurance certificate are also included (departure abroad requires an authorization request). Usually, the vehicle must be picked up and returned at the same DRIVALIA station/shop. Except for specific commercial agreements and depending on the characteristics of the service requested, there is a certain number of kilometers included in the amount of the service requested (usually referred to in the budget). You can do more kilometers subject to an additional fee.
Deductible and security deposit
Deductible is an amount for which the customer is legally responsible for compensation for covered and non-negligible damage that may occur to the vehicle (or similar situations eg loss of documents or key,…).
To properly safeguard this imperative, when picking up the vehicle, it is necessary to provide a real guarantee: a deposit is provided by credit card.
From your ceiling, a certain value is used (depending on the vehicle group) for depositing the guarantee to be provided. No cash leaves or enters the bank accounts of the customer and DRIVALIA. At the end of the rental operation, if everything is fine, that amount is released. If there is any damage it will then be used towards your payment.
More than one credit card can be used for the total amount of the deposit, provided that the holders are present when picking up the vehicle, as accountability documentation must be signed.
Charge for the rental period
The minimum rental period (via usual means except check) is in 24-hour periods even if the vehicle is used for a shorter period. Depending on the distribution channel or specific commercial agreements, the rate may be conditioned to the rental period (longer durations may reduce the daily rate). The daily value will be fixed in the characteristics of the requested reservation. Except for previously agreed situations (granting credit) or signaling a reservation (partial settlement of the service), payment for the rental is made when picking up the car without prejudice to, for practical reasons, the customer wishing to do so in advance.
Fuel policy
Depending on the engine, vehicles are delivered with a certain level of petrol or diesel (try to have at least a quarter of the tank). The customer must return the vehicle with the same level of fuel with which he received the car (Same to Same). If this does not happen, the customer must pay DRIVALIA the value of the missing fuel.
In the case of electric vehicles, it is not necessary to deliver the vehicle with the same level of charge as the car was received.
Car circulation
DRIVALIA vehicles are intended to circulate in mainland Portugal. Any departure abroad (country: Spain) is subject to a prior request for authorization when booking the vehicle and, if granted, subject to the collection of a border crossing fee (to keep the conditions of supplementary coverage for collision damage CDW and 24-hour roadside assistance).
If, during the use of the vehicle, DRIVALIA becomes aware of improper use of the vehicle, whether on national or foreign soil, the company reserves the right to unilaterally terminate the rental.
Additional rental options
It is possible to request the so-called extras: electronic tolls (rent a Via Verde device, requiring a credit card and compulsorily requesting the service before the start of the rental; the amount of the tolls will depend on the vehicle, highways and distances travelled), GPS navigation device, child seats (depending on age/weight to be indicated) and additional coverage – WDW (glass coverage), PAI (personal accidents), ACDW (coverage of small dents/scratches and locks), SLDW (super reduction) deductible and theft coverage), LC (zero deductible+WDW+ACDW+SLDW).
It should be noted that, and as previously explained, there will be extras that must be applied: if the driver does not meet the age requirements (and this conditional possibility is accepted), if there are additional drivers, if there is a vehicle circulating abroad (Spain), tax collection or return (validated) of a vehicle outside the usual opening hours (may include holidays and Christmas days), fee for additional kilometers (in addition to those included in the rental), one way fee (authorized return of the vehicle at a location other than the one picked up ) or fees for any other exceptionally granted services (eg vehicle delivery and collection). These extras, according to previous elements provided by the customer, will be included in the reservation quote or, in the absence or impossibility of this information, when picking up the vehicle (eg if the driver is younger than the stipulated age) or at the end of the rental (eg additional kilometers).
II - PARTICULAR CONDITIONS
Reservation cancellations or alteration of part of the rental period
No booking cancellation fee is charged unless it is within the 24 hours prior to picking up the vehicle, in which case it is subject to the payment of one day's rental.
If there is advance payment of the rental, the amount will be refunded (up to ±15 days later) except, in the case of reservations made at www.drivalia.pt, the mandatory 10% deposit of the total rental value.
If the customer does not show up to pick up the vehicle on the day and at the scheduled time (vehicle is retained for 24 hours), DRIVALIA reserves the right to charge additionally the value of 1 day of this rental.
Early return of the rental car results in non-compliance with the request to DRIVALIA, which means that the period reserved for the customer to use the vehicle is violated (to the detriment of possible other rentals). In other words, what is stipulated in the rental contract is not complied with and, as such, the return of the value of days not fulfilled is not guaranteed.
Anticipations or extensions of the rental period (and respective collection if there is another 24-hour period) require a written authorization request to DRIVALIA to, in the management of the fleet/reservations, verify if this availability exists.
Delivery and collection of the vehicle - possible damages and similar
The customer must return the rented car on the day, time and place stipulated (if not, and after exceeding one hour of tolerance, it is subject to possible additional costs and penalties) and in the same condition in which he received the vehicle.
If this is not verified – eg. appearance of a dent/scratch on the sheet metal, chipped glass, stained/burnt seats, loss or unusability of documents, damaged key, lack of accessories/material, burnt clutch, fuel change, etc. – the customer will have to reimburse DRIVALIA (amounts subject to a specific budget).
When picking up and returning the vehicle, it is inspected by a DRIVALIA employee – the customer can accompany him – to check and note any damage (from previous rentals – minor corrections are not always possible to make immediately). This procedure with due notes is recorded with the signature of the employee and customer.
When the vehicle is returned and there is doubt about possible further damage, this record will serve as proof. If there is no record of previous damage, the customer must reimburse DRIVALIA.
Damages that occur during the customer's rental are also subject to the cost of immobilizing the vehicle due to repairs (results in loss of income - vehicle is unable to be rented, causing loss of sales i.e. of reservations).
If, for any reason, the vehicle is abandoned or returned in the absence of the customer, the DRIVALIA inspection record of the vehicle will always prevail.
Notwithstanding the preventive and corrective maintenance carried out on the vehicles, if by chance shortly after leaving the DRIVALIA premises the customer notices any anomaly of a mechanical or electrical nature (without severe impact on driving), he must immediately return to DRIVALIA to report the situation (or stop and make contact with DRIVALIA – or, alternatively, contact the 24-hour roadside assistance) in order not to blame the problem on you.
In any case, if there are problems with the vehicle, you should contact DRIVALIA or the 24h Travel Assistance (contacts indicated in the rental contract and/or document bag).
If the vehicle is returned with immense dirt, it is subject to payment of cleaning and extraordinary washing of up to 100 Euros (note that before the delivery of the vehicle for the beginning of the rental, prior preparation of the vehicle is carried out for a synthetic technical check and proper hygiene – cleaning and washing).
The use of the vehicle
The customer must make normal and prudent use of the vehicle and ensure that it is properly locked and in a safe place when not in use. You should put the right amount of fuel (indicated in the rental contract, in the vehicle documents, next to the tank cap) and, especially in long rentals (but not exclusively), check the water, oil and adblue levels.
Any expenses with minor repairs carried out by the customer – light bulbs, fuses, oil replacement, except for Adblue – with a value greater than 25 Euros require authorization from DRIVALIA and, whatever the amount, will only be reimbursed upon presentation of the invoice-receipt proving the acquisition and on behalf of Drivalia Portugal S.A. with the taxpayer number 502766883.
The use of DRIVALIA vehicles in sporting competitions (or training) is prohibited, whether these are official or not.
And, it should be noted, the customer must comply with the Highway Code, such as, for example, only transporting passengers or goods in accordance with the law or not driving under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or any substance that, directly or indirectly, reduces their perception and reaction capacity.
Fines eg. Excessive speed, unpaid tolls and other similar offenses are the sole responsibility of the customer.
Accidents - procedure
In the event of an accident, the customer must carry out the following procedures:
i) Report to DRIVALIA any and all accidents, theft, robbery or any other claims, within a maximum period of 24 hours;
ii) immediately call the police authorities whenever third parties intervene or if the vehicle is impeded from circulating;
iii) obtain the names and addresses of the persons involved and witnesses;
iv) Do not leave the vehicle without taking appropriate measures to protect and safeguard it;
v) Not to assume any responsibility of DRIVALIA;
vi) Provide DRIVALIA with a detailed accident report including the accident report drawn up by the police authorities. In case of vandalism, theft or theft of the vehicle, it is essential to present documentary evidence of the complaint to the police authorities, including the stamp of that entity and delivery of the vehicle key.
Detailing coverage and insurance
The customer and/or authorized driver, during the contracted rental period, participates in a civil liability insurance policy in accordance with the legal provisions of the country that covers the risk of personal injury or material damage caused to third parties.
For each car group there is an insurance deductible, usually different, which is an amount for which the customer is responsible in the event of covered and not negligent damage to the car. If the damage exceeds the deductible and is not covered or is due to negligence, the customer is responsible for all damage to the car.
(note that the excess is not the same as a guarantee; the first is a legal responsibility, the second is a real guarantee – usually provided through a deposit via credit card – which is requested to ensure the fulfillment of the customer's responsibilities)
The contracted rental period also includes coverage:
i) CDW Collision Damage Waiver – covers the damage caused to the vehicle in the event of an accident due to impact, collision and overturning, with the customer subject to the payment of a variable deductible depending on the type of vehicle.
The customer can also choose to request the following additional coverage in the form of additional daily rates:
ii) SLDW Super Loss Damage Waiver – super deductible reduction to 10% of the normal amount (called reduced deductible) and which depends on the car group (includes TW – covers theft and/or loss of the vehicle);
iii) ACDW Additional Collision Damage Waiver – protection up to the reduced excess amount covering minor coverage of small dents/scratches and locks.
iv) PAI Personal Accident Insurance – covers personal accidents, with a maximum amount of 1500 Euros in case of illness or hospitalization and 15000 Euros in case of death or disability;
v) WDW Windows Damage Waiver – glass damage coverage (including breakage).
vi) LC Large Cover – zero deductible with SLDW, ACDW and SLDW coverage benefits.
With the SLDW or LC extras there is the possibility of reducing the deposit amount in a different proportion than
the deductible reduction.
The coverages described above, even if subscribed, are void and the customer is responsible for all repair and compensation expenses corresponding to the downtime of the vehicle involved, whenever it arises from:
negligence, bad use of the vehicle, violation of the rules of the road code, driving under the influence of alcohol or psychotropic substances and caused by the poor condition of the roads or paths, generated by mud, tar or other materials used in the construction of roads, caused intentionally by customer and/or occupants.
The insurance and coverage also does not cover charges necessary to replace damaged tires outside the scope of their normal use or resulting from accidental punctures, degraded clutches, damage to rims, tools, interiors and damage to the top and bottom of the vehicle (if there is no collision).
DRIVALIA also reserves the right not to provide said supplementary coverage.
Supplementary information
Prices, unless otherwise indicated, include VAT at the legal rate in force.
In the case of credit customers, if invoices are not paid on the due date, they are subject to late payment interest at the maximum rate legally permitted.
If there is difficulty in collecting rentals, the customer is responsible for all costs borne by DRIVALIA arising from outstanding payments. As well as all taxes and fees levied on the rental of the vehicle or the amount fixed by DRIVALIA for the reimbursement of these taxes.
In the event that DRIVALIA is notified as a result of an administrative offense or unlawful conduct practiced by the customer/driver, the latter undertakes solely for his identification to pay, as administrative expenses, the amount of 20 Euros for the information provided to those entities. In the event of an accident, the customer will pay, as administrative expenses with the respective process, the amount of 50 Euros.
The addresses indicated in the rental contract are agreed as domicile for any contact, namely for the purposes of quotes or notifications. For legal purposes, the signed rental contract is a legal document resulting from the use of the vehicle.
In terms of the customer's personal elements, DRIVALIA follows the legal terms of the GDPR General Data Protection Regulation.