Terms of Service

1. Introduction

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the DriveLink SL platform ("DriveLink", "we", "our"), accessible at drivelink.lk. By creating an account or using the platform you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the platform.

2. What DriveLink is

DriveLink is a marketplace connecting individuals who wish to rent vehicles ("Renters") with independent vehicle-rental businesses ("Agencies"). DriveLink does not own vehicles, employ drivers, or provide rental services directly. We facilitate discovery, booking, identity verification, and a lock-in payment mechanism — the actual rental contract is between the Renter and the Agency.

3. Accounts and eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account.
• You must provide accurate identity information. Knowingly providing false information is grounds for permanent account termination.
• You are responsible for keeping your account credentials secure.
• Renters must complete ID verification (via Didit, our third-party verifier) before placing certain bookings.
• Agencies must complete admin verification before vehicles are listed publicly.

4. Renter terms

• Booking a vehicle creates a request — it is not a guarantee. The agency confirms availability.
• Upon agency confirmation, you have 12 hours to transfer the Rs. 500 lock-in fee to the DriveLink account specified on your booking page. Failure to do so will auto-cancel the booking and reduce your reliability score.
• The rental cost itself is paid directly to the agency at pickup. DriveLink is not a party to that transaction.
• You agree to comply with the agency's rental terms (deposits, fuel policy, permitted use, etc.) which the agency communicates at pickup.
• You are responsible for traffic violations, damages, and insurance excesses during your rental period as per the agency's rental agreement.
• Repeated late cancellations, no-shows, or off-platform bypass attempts may result in account suspension and blacklisting.

5. Agency terms

• All vehicles listed must legally belong to or be under the operational control of the agency, and must be insured appropriately for the listed use type (Hire or Private).
• Listings must contain accurate photos, specifications, and pricing. Misleading listings will be unlisted.
• Agencies must confirm or decline booking requests within a reasonable timeframe. Bookings that sit pending for excessive periods will be auto-cancelled.
• Once a booking is confirmed and the Renter has paid the lock-in fee, the agency may not cancel without cause. Repeated cancellations harm your reliability score and may result in penalties.
• Agencies are responsible for all aspects of the actual rental: delivering the vehicle, collecting the rental balance, managing deposits, and handling any damages or disputes.
• Agencies agree to pay DriveLink the Rs. 200 per-booking platform fee for every booking that reaches "completed" status. Invoices are issued monthly.

6. Fees and payments

Detailed pricing is published on our pricing page. In summary:

• Renter lock-in fee: Rs. 500 per booking, charged only after the agency confirms availability.
• Agency platform fee: Rs. 200 per completed booking, invoiced monthly.
• All amounts are in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) and are inclusive of any applicable local taxes payable by DriveLink.
• Refunds are issued when a booking is cancelled by the agency after Renter payment, or in DriveLink's sole discretion in cases of platform fault.

7. Liability and disputes

DriveLink is a technology platform, not the renting party. We do not warrant that any specific Agency will perform a rental satisfactorily, nor do we accept liability for:

• Vehicle defects, breakdowns, or accidents during the rental period.
• Disputes over deposits, damages, fuel, or excess charges between Renter and Agency.
• Loss or damage to personal property left in vehicles.
• Traffic infractions, penalties, or legal proceedings arising from Renter conduct.

We assist with disputes between Renters and Agencies on a best-effort basis through the platform's support function but do not adjudicate them. We may temporarily withhold payouts or suspend accounts during a good-faith dispute investigation.

8. Account termination

We may suspend or terminate an account at our discretion for: fraud, repeated late cancellations, off-platform bypass attempts, knowingly false information, abuse of other users, or violation of these Terms. Active bookings at the time of termination may be cancelled or completed depending on circumstances.

You may delete your own account at any time from your account page. Deletion is irreversible. Bookings already in progress will continue until completion or cancellation.

9. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Any dispute arising under these Terms is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Colombo.

10. Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be notified by email and/or in-app. Continued use of the platform after a change constitutes acceptance. If you disagree with a change, your remedy is to stop using the platform and delete your account.