Driver Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction and Acceptance

These Driver Terms and Conditions (the “Terms”) form a legally binding agreement between you (“you”, “the Driver”) and [REGISTERED COMPANY NAME] (Registration number [REG NUMBER]), trading as “SIA Rides” (“SIA Rides”, “we”, “us” or “our”). These Terms govern your access to and use of the SIA Rides platform, including the SIA Rides Driver application (the “Driver App”) and related services (collectively, the “Platform”).

By registering for a driver account, going online or making yourself available to receive ride requests, accepting a ride request, or otherwise accessing or using the Driver App, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms and by any policies referenced in them, including the SIA Rides Privacy Policy.

This version of the Terms is Version 1.0, effective from [EFFECTIVE DATE]. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform.

2. Nature of the SIA Rides Platform

SIA Rides provides a technology platform that connects passengers seeking transportation with independent drivers who are willing to provide transportation services. The Platform enables ride requests, matching, navigation assistance, fare calculation, in-app payment facilitation and related functionality.

SIA Rides provides the technology that facilitates these connections. SIA Rides does not itself provide transportation services, does not employ drivers to provide transportation, and does not own or operate the vehicles used to provide transportation. The transportation services are provided by independent drivers to passengers.

3. Independent Contractor Relationship

You provide transportation services as an independent contractor. Subject to the requirements of the Platform, applicable law and any operating-licence conditions, you decide when to go online, when to go offline, whether to accept or decline any particular ride request, and how long you use the Platform.

Nothing in these Terms creates an employment relationship, partnership, joint venture, franchise or agency between you and SIA Rides. In particular:

• You are responsible for your own income tax and other tax obligations arising from your activities;
• You are responsible for your own vehicle, fuel, maintenance, repairs, insurance, licences, permits and all operating expenses;
• You are not entitled to employment benefits such as paid leave, sick leave, unemployment insurance contributions by SIA Rides, or pension or provident-fund benefits, merely by using the Platform;
• You are free to provide services to others, including other platforms, subject to any lawful and reasonable restrictions.

You acknowledge that the characterisation of the relationship as independent contracting reflects the parties’ genuine intention and the practical reality of how the Platform operates. You further acknowledge that, under South African law, the true nature of a working relationship is assessed on its substance and not merely on the label the parties use, having regard to factors such as the degree of control, economic dependence and the parties’ obligations, and that the South African Revenue Service applies similar principles when distinguishing employment from independent contracting.

4. Driver Eligibility and Verification

To use the Platform as a driver, you must meet and continuously maintain all applicable requirements, which may include:

• A valid South African driver's licence (or other licence lawfully permitting you to drive in the relevant area);
• Verified identity and supporting identification documents;
• Ownership of, or lawful authority to use, the vehicle you operate on the Platform;
• A roadworthy vehicle that meets applicable standards and passes any required inspection;
• Valid vehicle licensing and, where required, the applicable operating licence for e-hailing services;
• Appropriate insurance as required by law and by these Terms;
• Successful completion of background or criminal checks where lawful and required;
• Any other regulatory, licensing or documentary requirements that apply to e-hailing services.

You must ensure that all documentation remains valid and current. SIA Rides may verify, re-verify and request updated documentation at any time, and may restrict access where requirements are not met. South Africa’s regulatory framework specifically recognises e-hailing services and imposes operating-licence and related requirements; this section is to be read consistently with those rules.

5. Driver Account

You may hold only one driver account, and it is personal to you. You must provide accurate, complete and current information and keep it up to date.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality and security of your login credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You must not share your account, allow another person to drive under your account, create accounts using false information, impersonate any person, or permit any unauthorised use. You must notify SIA Rides promptly of any suspected unauthorised access.

6. Driver Availability and Ride Requests

The Platform operates on an online/offline basis. When you are online, you may receive ride requests. You may accept or decline requests subject to any applicable Platform rules and standards.

When you accept a request, you undertake to travel to the pickup location, to verify the passenger where required (including any verification PIN or similar mechanism), to follow reasonable navigation guidance, to observe reasonable waiting periods, and to complete the ride safely and professionally. These Terms address cancellations, passenger no-shows and related situations, which may affect fares, ratings and eligibility for certain benefits.

7. Fares, Payments and Driver Earnings

Fares are calculated and displayed through the Platform based on factors that may include distance, time, applicable rates and any adjustments. SIA Rides charges a platform/service fee or commission, which is deducted or accounted for as described in the Platform.

Payments are processed through the Platform and third-party payment providers. Your earnings may accrue to a driver wallet or balance, from which withdrawals may be made subject to applicable minimums, verification and processing timelines. Adjustments, refunds, chargebacks and disputes are handled as described in these Terms and in Platform policies.

SIA Rides reserves the right to correct obvious or manifest errors in fare calculation, payment or account balances, and to reverse amounts credited or debited in error, subject to applicable law.

8. Promotions, Rewards and Benefits

SIA Rides may, from time to time, offer discretionary promotional benefits and courtesies, which may include bonuses, discounts, reward programmes, driver levels or tiers, incentives, promotional payments, fuel benefits, priority access, reduced fees and similar benefits.

Such discretionary benefits are offered at SIA Rides’ discretion and may be introduced, modified, suspended or withdrawn by SIA Rides, subject to applicable law and to the specific terms of the relevant promotion.

For the avoidance of doubt, a distinction is drawn between (a) amounts you have actually earned under an agreed completed ride or under the agreed terms of a specific incentive, and (b) future, unaccrued or discretionary benefits. Amounts genuinely earned and accrued under agreed terms are not treated as revocable merely because a discretionary programme is later changed or withdrawn; changes to discretionary benefits apply prospectively and in accordance with the applicable promotion’s terms and the law.

9. Driver Standards and Conduct

You must at all times comply with the law and with reasonable Platform standards, including:

• Driving safely, lawfully and professionally;
• Not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• Not engaging in discrimination, harassment, threatening or abusive behaviour;
• Not carrying unlawful weapons or prohibited items where this would be unlawful;
• Respecting passenger privacy and personal information;
• Not engaging in fraudulent trips, GPS or location manipulation, fake accounts, collusion, fare manipulation, or attempts to circumvent Platform fees through off-platform payment arrangements.

10. Ratings and Reviews

Passengers may rate and review drivers, and drivers may rate passengers. SIA Rides may set minimum standards, investigate complaints, and act on fraudulent or abusive reviews.

Depending on the circumstances, SIA Rides may issue warnings, apply temporary restrictions, or deactivate an account, subject to these Terms and, where appropriate, a review or appeal process.

11. Safety and Emergencies

You must act responsibly in emergencies, including accidents, injuries, breakdowns and criminal incidents. You must contact emergency services where appropriate, use any in-app safety or panic functionality provided, report incidents to SIA Rides, and cooperate reasonably with investigations and with the authorities.

12. Insurance, Vehicle and Operating Costs

Except where expressly stated otherwise, you are solely responsible for all costs associated with your vehicle and your provision of services, including fuel, maintenance, tyres, repairs, insurance, vehicle and operating licences, permits, traffic fines, tolls and other expenses.

Any insurance cover actually arranged or provided through SIA Rides, if any, will be separately and specifically described, and applies only to the extent and on the terms so described. Nothing in these Terms should be read as a general promise of insurance cover.

13. Taxes

You are responsible for determining, reporting and meeting your own tax obligations arising from your use of the Platform, unless legislation requires SIA Rides to deduct, withhold, report or account for particular amounts, in which case SIA Rides will comply with those legal obligations.

14. Prohibited Activities and Fraud

You must not engage in, attempt, or assist any of the following:

• Creating fake or duplicate accounts, or fake passenger accounts;
• Sharing your account or allowing unauthorised persons to drive under it;
• Fake or fictitious rides, or artificially inflating fares;
• GPS spoofing or manipulation of location data;
• Payment fraud, or abusing promotions and incentives;
• Arranging fraudulent trips, collusion or identity fraud;
• Harassment of passengers or staff;
• Attempting to circumvent Platform fees or move transactions off-platform.

15. Suspension and Deactivation

SIA Rides may temporarily restrict or permanently deactivate your account where reasonably necessary, including in cases of safety concerns, fraud or suspected fraud, expired or invalid documentation, legal or regulatory requirements, serious or repeated passenger complaints, repeated breaches of these Terms, manipulation of the Platform, or other material violations of these Terms.

Where appropriate and reasonably practicable, SIA Rides will provide reasons and an opportunity for review or appeal. Urgent action may be taken first where safety, legal compliance or fraud prevention require it.

16. Passenger Relationship

When you accept a ride, you assume responsibilities toward the passenger in relation to that transportation service, including safe and professional conduct. This section also addresses lost property, passenger conduct, cleaning or damage claims, and related disputes, which are handled in accordance with Platform policies and applicable law.

17. SIA Rides' Role and Limitation of Liability

SIA Rides provides the Platform on a reasonable-efforts basis. To the extent permitted by applicable law, SIA Rides is not liable for matters outside its reasonable control, including Platform availability, outages, GPS or map inaccuracies, third-party services, internet connectivity, or the conduct of passengers or other third parties.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under South African law, including under the Consumer Protection Act where applicable. Any limitations of liability apply only to the extent permitted by law and are to be read down rather than treated as void where necessary to comply with the law.

18. Privacy, Location and Personal Information

Operating on the Platform involves the collection and processing of personal information, which may include GPS and location data (including background location while you are online or on a trip), identity information, driver documentation, ride history, payment records, ratings, support communications and fraud-prevention data. Certain information is shared with passengers as necessary to provide the service.

The processing of personal information is described more fully in the SIA Rides Privacy Policy, which forms part of your agreement with SIA Rides and should be read together with these Terms.

19. Account Deletion and Data Retention

You may request deletion of your account. Upon account deletion, SIA Rides will delete or de-identify personal information that is no longer required, subject to information that SIA Rides is legally permitted or required to retain.

In line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), personal information will not be retained for longer than necessary, except where retention is required or authorised by law, is reasonably required for lawful business purposes, or is required under contract. Records relating to transactions, tax, fraud prevention, disputes, regulatory obligations or other legal requirements may be retained for the periods required or permitted by law, after which they will be destroyed, deleted or de-identified.

20. Changes to These Terms

SIA Rides may update these Terms from time to time. Where required, drivers will receive reasonable notice of material changes, and each updated version will state its Effective Date.

Where acceptance is required, you must accept the updated Terms before continuing to use the Platform. If you do not agree with the updated Terms, you may stop using SIA Rides and request deletion of your account before the Effective Date. Where legally permissible, continued use of the Platform after the Effective Date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

21. Termination by the Driver

You may stop using SIA Rides at any time and request deletion of your account. On termination, any pending rides should be completed or cancelled appropriately, outstanding balances and disputes will be handled in accordance with these Terms, and information subject to mandatory retention will be retained as described in section 19.

22. Intellectual Property

The SIA Rides name, logos, the Driver App, software, algorithms, designs, trademarks and all other Platform intellectual property are owned by or licensed to SIA Rides and are protected by law. You are granted only a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable and revocable right to use the Driver App for the purpose of providing services through the Platform, and for no other purpose.

23. Confidentiality

You must keep confidential all non-public information you obtain through the Platform, including internal Platform information, security and fraud-prevention procedures and controls, and confidential passenger information. You must use such information only as necessary to provide services through the Platform.

24. Third-Party Services

The Platform relies on third-party services, including mapping and navigation (such as Google Maps), payment gateways, and push-notification services. Those services may be governed by their own terms and privacy policies, and your use of them is subject to those terms.

25. Disputes and Complaints

If you have a complaint or dispute, you should first contact SIA Rides so that it can be investigated internally. Unresolved matters may be escalated and, where legally appropriate, referred to mediation, arbitration or the competent courts. Formal legal notices should be sent to the address and email set out in section 28.

26. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. The parties submit to the jurisdiction of the appropriate South African courts, subject to any applicable dispute-resolution procedures set out in these Terms and to any rights conferred by law.

27. General Legal Provisions

• Severability: if any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in effect, and the invalid provision is read down to the extent necessary.
• Waiver: failure or delay by SIA Rides in exercising a right does not waive that right.
• Entire agreement: these Terms, together with referenced policies, constitute the entire agreement regarding your use of the Platform.
• Assignment: SIA Rides may assign or transfer its rights and obligations to the extent permitted by law; you may not assign yours without consent.
• Notices and electronic communications: you consent to receiving notices and communications electronically.
• Headings and interpretation: headings are for convenience only.
• Survival: provisions that by their nature should survive termination will do so.
• Conflict: in the event of a conflict between these Terms and the specific terms of a promotion, the specific promotion's terms govern that promotion to the extent of the conflict.

28. Contact Information

This Platform is operated by: