NESS Drive Car Hire

Rental Terms & Conditions

Last updated: September 2026

These Rental Terms & Conditions apply to vehicle rentals provided by NESS Drive Car Hire (“NESS Drive”, “we”, “us” or “our”).

Please read these Terms carefully before confirming your booking.

Your individual Rental Agreement and insurance documentation will contain the specific details applicable to your rental. These may include the vehicle, authorised driver(s), rental period, price, insurance cover, applicable excess, security deposit or pre-authorisation and any additional conditions applying to your particular rental.

By entering into a Rental Agreement with NESS Drive, you agree to these Rental Terms & Conditions and the specific terms contained in your Rental Agreement and applicable insurance documentation.

1. Booking and Rental Agreement

An enquiry or Availability Request does not by itself constitute a confirmed booking.

A booking is confirmed only when NESS Drive has accepted the rental and any required booking steps or payments have been completed.

Before the vehicle is released, the hirer will be provided with an individual Rental Agreement and applicable insurance documentation.

You should read these documents carefully before signing. If anything is unclear, please ask us before accepting the vehicle.

The individual Rental Agreement takes account of the circumstances of that particular rental, including the vehicle, driver eligibility and applicable insurance requirements.

2. Driver Eligibility

All drivers must satisfy the legal requirements for driving in the UK and the eligibility requirements of NESS Drive’s motor rental insurer.

Eligibility may depend on factors including:

• age;
• type and validity of driving licence;
• how long the licence has been held;
• endorsements, penalty points or disqualifications;
• previous accidents or insurance claims;
• driving history;
• previous insurance refusals, cancellations or special terms;
• the vehicle being hired; and
• any other underwriting requirements applicable to the individual rental.

Providing information or requesting a booking does not guarantee that a driver will be accepted for insurance.

NESS Drive may refuse a rental where a proposed driver does not satisfy the applicable legal or insurance requirements.

3. Driving Licence and Identification

Every person who will drive the vehicle must provide a current, full and valid driving licence and any additional identification or documentation reasonably required by NESS Drive or its insurer.

UK licence holders may be required to provide the information necessary for NESS Drive to verify their driving record with DVLA.

Drivers holding a licence issued outside the UK may be required to provide their national driving licence, passport and, where applicable, an International Driving Permit or other documentation necessary to establish their entitlement to drive in the UK.

All information supplied must be complete and accurate.

Only drivers approved for the rental and covered by the applicable insurance may drive the vehicle.

The rental may include the main hirer and up to two additional drivers, provided every additional driver satisfies the applicable insurance requirements and is approved for the rental.

4. Rental Period

Rental periods are normally calculated on a 24-hour basis.

The exact start and end date and time of the rental and insurance cover will be shown on the individual Rental Agreement and/or insurance documentation.

The vehicle must be returned by the agreed date and time unless an extension has been authorised by NESS Drive.

An extension is not valid merely because the customer keeps the vehicle longer.

If you require additional time, you must contact NESS Drive before the rental and insurance period expires so that we can determine whether the rental and insurance cover can be extended.

5. Rental Price and Payment

The rental price and any compulsory charges applicable to your booking will be communicated before the booking is confirmed.

Payment must be made using a method accepted by NESS Drive.

Cash and cheques are not accepted.

Payment may be made by bank transfer, secure payment link or card payment through a payment method accepted by NESS Drive, including Teya where available.

The insurance documentation issued for each rental remains authoritative as to any payment-method condition affecting insurance cover.

6. Security Deposit / Card Pre-authorisation

NESS Drive may require a security deposit or card pre-authorisation before releasing the vehicle.

The amount applicable to your rental will be communicated to you before the vehicle is released and, where applicable, recorded in your booking or Rental Agreement.

A card pre-authorisation temporarily reserves the agreed amount against the available funds on the payment card.

Where an amount becomes properly payable under the Rental Agreement or these Terms, NESS Drive may use the deposit or pre-authorisation towards that amount where legally and contractually permitted.

A security deposit or pre-authorisation is not the same as the insurance excess.

7. Insurance and Excess

Insurance cover is arranged for each rental subject to the eligibility requirements, conditions, restrictions and exclusions of NESS Drive’s motor rental insurance.

The applicable insurance excess starts from £1,500.

The actual excess is determined for the individual rental and may vary according to factors including the vehicle, driver’s age and other insurance or underwriting considerations.

The actual excess applicable to you will be confirmed in your individual Rental Agreement and/or insurance documentation before the vehicle is released.

The excess does not necessarily limit your liability for loss, damage or circumstances that fall outside the applicable insurance cover or arise through a breach of the Rental Agreement or insurance conditions.

The precise insurance cover, exclusions and excess applicable to your rental are those shown in the insurance documentation issued for that rental.

8. Insurance Exclusions

Insurance is subject to exclusions and restrictions.

These can vary according to the insurance documentation issued for the particular rental.

You should therefore read the insurance documentation issued for your individual rental.

Nothing in these Terms should be interpreted as extending insurance cover beyond that actually provided by the applicable policy or Cover Note.

9. Mileage Allowance

Unless a different allowance is stated in your booking confirmation or Rental Agreement, NESS Drive rentals include:

150 miles per rental day.

Mileage is calculated as a total allowance across the complete rental period, rather than as a separate maximum for each individual day.

For example:

3-day rental = 450 miles included
5-day rental = 750 miles included
7-day rental = 1,050 miles included

You may use those miles at any point during the rental.

Mileage will be recorded when the vehicle is collected and returned. Your existing Rental Agreement already contains dedicated Mileage Out and Mileage In fields.

Unless otherwise agreed before the rental, mileage exceeding the total allowance will be charged at:

£0.25 per additional mile.

Different mileage arrangements may be agreed for longer rentals or particular bookings. Where this happens, the applicable allowance and excess-mileage charge will be confirmed before the rental.

10. Fuel Policy — Like for Like

NESS Drive operates a like-for-like fuel policy.

The fuel level will be recorded when the vehicle is supplied.

You must return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel as recorded at the start of the rental.

If the vehicle is returned with less fuel, you may be charged for the fuel required to restore it to the original level together with any applicable refuelling charge disclosed as part of the rental.

No refund or credit will be given for fuel returned above the original recorded level.

You are responsible for using the correct fuel. You may be responsible for damage or associated costs resulting from misfuelling.

11. Vehicle Collection and Condition

The condition of the vehicle will be recorded at the start of the rental.

This may include:

• existing dents, scratches, chips or scuffs;
• fuel level;
• mileage; and
• equipment supplied with the vehicle.

You should inspect the vehicle before leaving and tell NESS Drive about any existing damage that you believe has not been recorded.

Where appropriate, photographs or video may also be used to document vehicle condition.

12. Your Responsibilities

During the rental you must take reasonable care of the vehicle, its keys and any equipment supplied with it.

You must:

• lock and secure the vehicle when unattended;
• use any security equipment provided;
• protect the keys from loss or theft;
• use the correct fuel;
• observe vehicle warning lights and warnings;
• notify NESS Drive promptly of any fault;
• stop using the vehicle where continuing to drive could reasonably cause further damage or create a safety risk; and
• take reasonable precautions to prevent loss, theft or damage.

You must not sell, rent, dispose of, modify or grant anyone rights over the vehicle or any part of it.

You must not arrange repairs or allow anyone to work on the vehicle without NESS Drive’s permission, except where immediate action is reasonably necessary for safety and contacting us first is not reasonably possible.

13. Permitted and Prohibited Use

Only the hirer and authorised named drivers covered by the applicable insurance may drive the vehicle.

The vehicle must not be:

• used for any illegal purpose;
• used for racing, pace making, competitions, rallies, track days, trials or speed testing;
• used while the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• overloaded beyond the manufacturer’s permitted limits;
• driven in excess of applicable height restrictions;
• used for towing unless NESS Drive has given prior permission;
• deliberately, recklessly or negligently damaged;
• used for hire or reward unless expressly authorised and appropriately insured; or
• used in any way prohibited by the Rental Agreement or applicable insurance.

14. Geographical Use and Travel Outside Great Britain

Unless NESS Drive has provided prior written permission and appropriate insurance arrangements have been made, the vehicle must not be driven outside the geographical area permitted by the applicable insurance.

Unless the applicable insurance documentation expressly provides otherwise, the vehicle must not be driven outside England, Scotland and Wales without NESS Drive’s prior written permission.

If you wish to take the vehicle outside the permitted area, including overseas, you must discuss this with NESS Drive before booking or travelling.

Additional insurance documentation, authorisation and charges may apply.

Approval is not guaranteed.

15. Breakdown or Mechanical Fault

If the vehicle develops a fault or breaks down, contact NESS Drive as soon as reasonably possible and follow the instructions provided.

Do not arrange repairs without prior approval unless immediate action is reasonably necessary for safety and contacting us is not reasonably possible.

Where a breakdown results from a mechanical defect for which the renter is not responsible, NESS Drive will take reasonable steps to provide appropriate assistance.

You may be responsible for costs resulting from circumstances attributable to the hirer or authorised driver where permitted by these Terms and the Rental Agreement.

16. Accidents, Damage, Fire or Theft

If the vehicle is involved in an accident or incident, damaged, stolen or subject to attempted theft, contact NESS Drive as soon as possible.

You must:

• make the vehicle reasonably secure where possible;
• obtain the names, addresses and relevant details of other people involved;
• obtain witness details where available;
• not admit liability on behalf of NESS Drive or its insurer;
• contact the police where anyone is injured, where required by law or where there is a dispute concerning responsibility;
• cooperate reasonably with NESS Drive and the insurer; and
• provide the information required for an incident or insurance report.

An incident must be reported to NESS Drive within 24 hours.

17. Fines, Parking Charges, Tolls and Other Penalties

The hirer is responsible for fines and charges attributable to the vehicle or its use during the rental period, including where applicable:

• parking charges or penalties;
• traffic offences;
• fixed penalty notices;
• congestion charges;
• tolls; and
• other fines or charges arising from use of the vehicle.

Where permitted by law, NESS Drive may provide relevant hirer or driver information to the authority responsible for administering the charge.

Where NESS Drive is required to administer a fine or charge on your behalf, a reasonable administration charge may apply where that charge has been properly disclosed.

18. Returning the Vehicle

The vehicle must be returned to the agreed location by the agreed date and time.

The vehicle should be returned with:

• all keys;
• documents supplied;
• equipment supplied;
• the agreed fuel level; and
• its condition consistent with reasonable use, subject to any damage occurring during the rental.

Mileage, fuel and vehicle condition may be recorded at return.

If you expect to be late, contact NESS Drive before the agreed return time.

An extension is subject to availability and continued insurance cover and is not confirmed until NESS Drive has agreed it.

If the vehicle is returned late without an agreed extension, additional rental charges may apply.

19. Out-of-Hours Returns

A vehicle should normally be returned in accordance with the collection/return arrangements agreed with NESS Drive.

Where an out-of-hours return has specifically been agreed, you remain responsible for the vehicle and its condition until it has been inspected by NESS Drive.

20. Damage and Other Charges

You may be responsible for reasonable amounts properly arising from your rental, subject to the Rental Agreement, insurance arrangements and applicable law.

These may include, where applicable:

• damage to the vehicle;
• loss or damage to keys;
• missing or damaged equipment;
• misfuelling;
• recovery costs arising from misuse;
• refuelling;
• excess mileage;
• additional cleaning beyond normal rental use;
• authorised late-return charges;
• fines and associated reasonable administration costs; and
• other losses or charges properly due under the Rental Agreement.

Where damage is covered by the applicable insurance, your responsibility will be determined according to the insurance terms and applicable excess.

Where loss or damage falls outside the insurance cover, different liability may apply.

NESS Drive will not impose arbitrary or disproportionate charges and will provide a reasonable explanation of charges arising after the rental.

21. Cleaning, Smoking and Vaping

The vehicle must be returned in a reasonably clean condition consistent with normal use.

Smoking and vaping are not permitted in NESS Drive vehicles.

Where the vehicle requires specialist or substantially additional cleaning because of its condition on return, a reasonable cleaning charge may apply.

Normal use and ordinary cleaning required between customers will not by itself justify an additional cleaning charge.

22. Personal Belongings

You are responsible for removing your belongings when returning the vehicle.

NESS Drive is not responsible for loss of or damage to belongings left in the vehicle except where NESS Drive is legally responsible for that loss or damage.

23. Cancellation and Booking Changes

If you need to cancel or amend a booking, you must notify NESS Drive in writing as soon as possible. Email is acceptable.

When a confirmed booking is cancelled by the hirer, any refund will be determined in accordance with the NESS Drive Cancellation & Refund Policy applicable to the booking.

Where applicable under that policy, cancellation may be subject to a £25 administration fee, together with any booking-specific insurance premiums, insurance-related charges, third-party costs and actual bank or payment-provider charges that have already been incurred by NESS Drive and cannot reasonably be recovered.

NESS Drive will not deduct an insurance or third-party cost that it has been able to recover.

No refund will normally be given for:

• a no-show;
• late collection;
• cancellation on or after the scheduled rental start date; or
• unused rental time resulting from the hirer’s decision to return the vehicle early.

Any request to change the rental dates, rental duration, vehicle, authorised driver, collection or return arrangements, or another material part of the booking is subject to availability and insurance eligibility.

Where a requested change requires additional administration, replacement or amended insurance, or results in additional third-party costs, an administration charge and any actual additional costs may apply. Where reasonably practicable, NESS Drive will advise you of any applicable charge before confirming the requested change.

A requested amendment is not confirmed until it has been accepted by NESS Drive.

Nothing in this section affects your statutory consumer rights.

24. NESS Drive’s Right to Refuse or Cancel a Rental

NESS Drive reserves the right to refuse, cancel or terminate a booking or rental where there is a valid and reasonable reason for doing so.

This may include, but is not limited to:

• failure to meet the applicable driver or insurance eligibility requirements;
• providing false, misleading, incomplete or materially inaccurate information;
• failure to provide information or documentation reasonably required to arrange or maintain the rental or insurance;
• failure to make a payment when due;
• failure to comply with these Rental Terms & Conditions, the Rental Agreement or applicable insurance requirements;
• use or intended use of the vehicle in a manner that is unlawful, unsafe, prohibited or inconsistent with the Rental Agreement or insurance cover;
• reasonable concerns regarding fraud, identity, driving entitlement or the security of the vehicle;
• failure to cooperate reasonably with NESS Drive following an accident, damage, theft or another incident;
• threatening, abusive, intimidating or discriminatory behaviour, inappropriate language, harassment or bullying directed towards NESS Drive, its staff, representatives, contractors or anyone acting on its behalf; or
• any other circumstance where continuing the booking or rental would reasonably create a safety, legal, insurance or serious operational risk.

Where reasonably practicable and appropriate, NESS Drive may give the hirer an opportunity to remedy the issue before cancelling the rental. However, immediate cancellation or refusal may be appropriate where the circumstances involve safety, unlawful conduct, fraud, serious misconduct, insurance invalidity or threatening or abusive behaviour.

Where NESS Drive cancels a booking for reasons attributable to the hirer, any refund will be determined according to the circumstances. NESS Drive may deduct amounts already incurred or properly due, including non-recoverable insurance premiums, third-party costs and other reasonable losses directly arising from the booking or cancellation, subject to applicable law.

Where NESS Drive cancels a confirmed booking for reasons not attributable to the hirer and cannot provide the agreed rental or a suitable alternative accepted by the hirer, NESS Drive will refund amounts paid for the rental services that cannot be provided.

Nothing in this section affects the hirer’s statutory rights.

25. Vehicle Availability

NESS Drive will make reasonable efforts to provide the vehicle confirmed for your booking.

If circumstances outside our reasonable control mean that the booked vehicle cannot be supplied, we will contact you as soon as reasonably practicable and seek an appropriate solution.

Where an appropriate substitute cannot be provided and NESS Drive cannot fulfil the confirmed rental, amounts paid for the unavailable rental service will be refunded as appropriate.

26. Our Responsibilities

NESS Drive will take reasonable steps to ensure that the vehicle supplied is appropriately maintained, roadworthy and suitable for rental at the start of the rental period.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or restricts liability where it would be unlawful to do so.

27. Ending the Rental

NESS Drive may terminate the rental where there is a serious breach of these Terms, the Rental Agreement, insurance requirements or applicable law.

This may include circumstances where:

• an unauthorised person drives the vehicle;
• the vehicle is being used unlawfully or contrary to the insurance conditions;
• materially false information has been supplied;
• the vehicle is being deliberately or recklessly placed at risk; or
• the hirer fails to return the vehicle when required and no extension has been agreed.

Termination does not remove responsibility for amounts properly due under the Rental Agreement.

Where legally permitted and reasonably necessary, NESS Drive may take steps to recover the vehicle.

28. Personal Information

NESS Drive processes personal information required to administer enquiries, bookings, insurance and rentals.

Further information about how we use personal information and your data protection rights is available in our Privacy Notice on the NESS Drive website.

29. Complaints

If you are unhappy with any aspect of your booking or rental, please contact NESS Drive so that we have an opportunity to investigate and respond.

NESS Drive Car Hire
Unit 4, 57 Harbour Road
Inverness
IV1 1UF

Email: nessdriveinverness@gmail.com
Telephone: 07539 413 097

30. Your Statutory Rights

Nothing in these Rental Terms & Conditions limits or excludes any rights or remedies that you have under applicable consumer law and which cannot lawfully be excluded.

31. Governing Law

These Rental Terms & Conditions and Rental Agreements entered into with NESS Drive are governed by the law of Scotland, subject to any mandatory rights available to consumers under applicable law.

32. Relationship Between These Terms and Your Individual Rental

These Rental Terms & Conditions establish the general conditions under which NESS Drive provides vehicle rentals.

These Rental Terms & Conditions should also be read together with the NESS Drive Cancellation & Refund Policy and Privacy Notice available on the NESS Drive website.

Every rental remains subject to the individual Rental Agreement and insurance documentation issued for that rental.

Your individual documents will confirm matters including:

• the vehicle;
• authorised driver(s);
• exact rental and insurance period;
• rental charges;
• applicable insurance excess;
• security deposit or pre-authorisation;
• insurance conditions and exclusions; and
• any special terms applicable to that particular rental.

Where an insurance condition or restriction applicable to your individual rental is more specific than these general Terms, the applicable insurance documentation and Rental Agreement must be followed.

Do not sign the Rental Agreement unless you have read and understood the terms applicable to your rental.

NESS Drive Car Hire
Unit 4, 57 Harbour Road
Inverness
IV1 1UF

nessdriveinverness@gmail.com
07539 413 097