A) Self-drive hire – Terms and Conditions
A.1 – Driver(s) – minimum requirements for rental
The rental of vehicles from The Classic Route is open to all drivers satisfying the following conditions:
- Minimum age of 30 years old
- Valid driving licence for at least 5 years
- Holder of a licence delivered by an EU member country or other International licence valid for use in France
- Maximum of 3 points received in the last 12 months.
A.2 – Collection and return
The vehicle shall be collected by the hirer at the office of the rental agency (The Classic Route), unless the hirer has chosen the option of delivery to his/her desired location (see article B.1, below). Without prior written confirmation on the part of The Classic Route, the vehicle is to be returned to the agency at the end of the hire period. All charges incurred by The Classic Route relating to the repatriation of a vehicle returned elsewhere, without prior written consent of The Classic Route, will be charged to, and the sole responsibility of, the hirer.
The hire contract will only be terminated following the return of the vehicle, complete with its keys, and administrative documents. The hirer is required to pay, in full, all hire charges due up to the moment of the return of the vehicle, keys and documents.
Return of the vehicle should be affected during the opening hours of the agency, unless prior written authority from The Classic Route has been given to do otherwise. Should the vehicle be returned outside of opening hours, and without prior written consent, the hirer remains entirely responsible for the vehicle until the beginning of the next working day, at which point the contract will come to an end. The hirer is reminded that s/he is responsible for any theft or damage caused to the vehicle during this period.
With the exception of prolongation of the hire period authorised by The Classic Route, should the hirer fail to return the vehicle at the end of the agreed hire period, s/he will be charged at the standard 24 hourly rate for every period of 24 hours or part thereof, until the return of the vehicle. The hirer will also be liable to the opening of judiciary procedures for the misappropriation of the vehicle and abuse of confidence.
If, for reasons outside of our control, the vehicle booked for hire is not available, for example, following theft, fire, accident or mechanical failure, The Classic Route reserves the right to replace the vehicle with another of the same make and model, or if we are unable to provide an example of the same make or model, to propose an alternative vehicle or alternative hire dates. In the case of a substitute vehicle, the hirer will be offered a refund of the difference in hire costs, should the replacement vehicle be from an inferior category.
A.3 – Condition of the vehicle
The vehicle is hired in full working condition and with bodywork free from major damage. Any eventual minor bodywork or other defects will be noted prior to the hirer taking charge of the vehicle on the hire documents accompanying the contract.
Any reserves on the part of the hirer should be stated clearly when taking charge of the vehicle and noted on the documentation before signing the contract.
The hirer promises to return the vehicle in the same condition that it was delivered. Any damage noted on return of the vehicle, which was not noted on the hire documents, will be considered to be at the charge of the hirer, under reserve of the dispositions foreseen in article A.8.
A.4 – Documents
The vehicle is provided complete with all its documents, equipment and accessories in accordance with the French Highway Code, fiscal legislation, and transport law. The hire contract will only be considered terminated when all documents, equipment and keys are returned. In case of non-return, the hire contract will continue until there return or until an official declaration of loss or theft has been received. The costs of replacement, or repair to the vehicle, its equipment or documents will be charged to the hirer.
A.5 – Conditions of use
From the moment the vehicle is taken in charge, until the moment it is returned, the hirer has the sole and unique responsibility for the vehicle, be it on the road or parked. The hirer agrees to use the vehicle with due respect and notably :
- to allow only authorised drivers, figuring on the contract, to drive the vehicle,
- to drive the vehicle only on suitable roads, open to the circulation,
- not to participate in any rally, test, preparation, nor any competition of any nature,
- not to use the vehicle to illicit or immoral ends, nor in any manner not prescribed by the constructor,
- not to use the vehicle to push, pull, or tract another vehicle,
- not to drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances which could modify the reflexes necessary to drive,
- not to transport persons or merchandise for gain or profit,
- not to use the vehicle to give driving lessons,
- to use the vehicle in respect of the highway code, the customs, and in general in respect of the law.
Use of the vehicle is only permitted within the French and Spanish frontiers, but including the principalities of Andorra and Monaco. The hirer is in no circumstances permitted to use the vehicle outside of these boundaries.
A.6 – Service-Repair-Tyres
The Classic Route engages to maintain the vehicle in good working condition, to effectuate such repairs as should prove necessary, to change parts or tyres resulting from normal use. The hirer will be furnished with manual and service books and agrees to respect the information contained therein.
The hirer agrees to treat the vehicle with respect and notably, to verify the levels of water, oil and other fluids, as well as to control the tyre pressures and to add antifreeze if necessary.
Any repairs, replacement of spare parts or other materials required as a result of abnormal use, of negligence, or following an accident, will be at the charge o the hirer, unless s/he can prove that a third party was responsible.
The hirer will advise The Classic Route of any anomaly arising during the hire period, such that an agreement can be reached for the remainder of the hire period or so that such repairs as necessary can be effectuated.
Under no conditions may the hirer affect a repair or arrange to have the vehicle repaired without prior consent on the part of The Classic Route.
In the case of abnormal use of tyres, the hirer engages his/her responsibility to replace the tyre or tyres affected with a tyre or tyres of the same make and model with a level of tread at least equal to that of the unaffected tyres.
A.7 – Petrol
The petrol is the responsibility of the hirer, with the exception of the first tank of fuel which is offered by The Classic Route for rentals of 3 days or more.
A.8 – Insurance
The vehicle is supplied complete with fully comprehensive insurance, including : third party insurance covering corporal or material damage to third parties, in compliance with French law. The vehicle is also insured for corporal or material damage to the driver, as well as against fire and theft.
Please note that personal articles left in the vehicle as well as luggage carried on the vehicle are not covered by this insurance.
A.8.1) Fire, theft, or damage to the vehicle
Conditions of guarantee
In the case of fire, theft or damage to the vehicle, its equipment or accessories, the responsibility of the hirer is limited to :
- the value of the guarantee against theft or damage indicated on the contract,
- or, to the cost of the repairs should the cost be less than the amount of the guarantee.
Should The Classic Route be reimbursed by a responsible third party, we will reimburse the hirer the amount of his/her guarantee, subject to deduction of any repair costs which remain at the charge of The Classic Route.
Exclusions
The hirer will be responsible for the totality of the cost of repairs, or the residual value of the vehicle in the following cases:
- if at the time of the accident or fire, the vehicle was being driven by an unauthorised driver who’s name does not figure on the hire contract,
- damage caused voluntarily or following an inexcusable fault, or due to negligence on the part of hirer, or in the absence of an identified third-party,
- all damage resulting from incomprehension of the dimensions of the vehicle hired,
- should the hirer be found to have been driving under the affect of alcohol over the legal limit, or under the effect of any element absorbed, medicine or otherwise, which modify the reflexes required for safe driving,
- damage to the interior of the vehicle, its tyres or wheels, unless the hirer can prove that s/he is not at fault or that the damage does not result from his/her negligence,
- damage resulting from an error in choice of carburant,
- damage resulting from the non-respect of the cases indicated in article 4 (above),
- damage occurring after the due date marked on the contract for the return of the vehicle,
- theft of the vehicle by the hirer, or authorised driver.
A.8.2) Declaration of fire, theft, or damage to the vehicle
In the case of an accident, damage, or fire (even partial), or theft of the vehicle, the hirer is required to take all practical measures required, to record the facts, obtain proof, and to protect the vehicle from further damage.
In the case of theft, s/he will report the fact to the Police or Gendarmerie as soon as the theft is noted. The rental will be considered to be terminated once the declaration of the theft has been completed.
In the case of an accident, s/he will fill out the provided constat d’accident automobile amiable (accident report form), even in the absence of an identified third party.
The hirer is reminded that s/he is obliged to describe the facts and to report the circumstances of the accident. S/he should not engage his/her responsibility.
Finally, the hirer shall notify The Classic Route of any accident, or damage in the 24h that follow the incident, excepting Sundays, Bank Holidays, and unless s/he is justifiably unable to do so.
A.9 – Pricing – Payment – Deposit of the guarantee
The cost of the location and amount of the guarantee are determined by the tariffs in vigour.
The hirer will pay a holding deposit of 30% of the estimated cost of the rental at the moment of reservation. The hirer is required to pay, at the latest, at the moment of collection of the vehicle (with the exception of clients opting for delivery of the vehicle, see article B.1.2 below):
- the amount of the guarantee demanded,
- the balance of the estimated rental cost, calculated on the basis of the tariffs in vigour and the estimated duration of the hire period.
The definitive rental cost, calculated at the end of the hire period, will take into account the sums already paid.
The cost of the rental is calculated by periods of 24h. The hirer is allowed a 1h grace period at the end of the location. Should the vehicle be returned after this hour has expired an extra day’s rental will be charged.
Please note that, the guarantee deposited, to the amount indicated on the contract, is subject to be retained, in part or in whole, by The Classic Route, with regards to sums due under the following circumstances:
- the non payment of rental charges,
- to cover the cost of damage or loss of the vehicle, under the circumstances prescribed in article A.8 above,
- in the case of failure to return the vehicle, with the exception of force majeure.
At the end of the hire period, the payment of all outstanding charges should coincide with the return of the vehicle, or following the issue of the final invoice. If payment is not forthcoming, within a delay of 8 days in excess of the due date for payment, the hirer will be required to pay The Classic Route, in excess of interests and other costs incurred a fixed penalty equivalent to 20% of the sums overdue, by way of a penalty clause, in conformity with the dispositions of article 1229 of the French Civil Code.
Should the sums paid by the hirer in advance of the rental exceed the final balance due, s/he will be reimbursed at the moment of return of the vehicle, or at the moment the final invoice is issued. Should the hirer not receive payment from The Classic Route within a delay of 8 days in excess of the due date for payment, the hirer may demand, by way of a penalty clause, the payment by The Classic Route of a fixed penalty equal to 20% of the sums overdue.
A.10 – Immobilization
The immobilization of the vehicle due to non respect of the clauses cited in articles A.5, A.6 and A.8 of the contract, will entrain the charge, to the cost of the hirer, at the daily rate, of the number of days of immobilization up to a maximum of 30 days.
A.11 – Duration of the contract – Extension – Breech of contract
The rental period is fixed to a determined period indicated on the contract.
In the case of failure to return the vehicle at the pre-arranged date, without written agreement from The Classic Route, The Classic Route reserves the right to recuperate the vehicle, wherever it may be found, at the charge of the hirer, and without such action constituting a breech of contract.
A.11.1) Extension of the hire period
Should the hirer wish to extend the hire period, he must demand written authorisation from The Classis Route, and pay the corresponding hire charges and additional guarantee, where applicable, associated with the prolongation of the hire period.
The Classic Route reserves the right to refuse the extension of the hire period, without indemnity to the hirer, and with obligation on the part of the hirer to return the vehicle at the date prescribed on the contract.
A.11.2) Early termination of the contract
The Classic Route reserves the right to put an immediate end to the hire contract, without indemnity to the hirer, should the hirer fail to respect the essential obligations outlined in the present contract, and particularly with respect to the conditions of use of the vehicle, the payment of rental charges or the conditions of return of the vehicle.
A.12 – Payment of fines – Contraventions
The hirer and the authorised driver(s) are solely responsible for the payment of all parking fines, speeding tickets, and any other legal contraventions or verbal processes during the hire period and for which they are legally responsible. The hirer and the authorised driver(s) undertake to reimburse The Classic Route any costs, including car pound costs, which they may be required to advance.
A.13 – Jurisdiction
By express convention, and under reserve of the legislation in vigour, the Tribunal of Commerce to which the seat of the company depends, is considered to be the sole organisation competent to handle any litigation relating to the contract concluded with persons hiring a vehicle for business purposes.
The Classic Route may under any circumstances renounce the benefit of this present clause of attribution of jurisdiction which is stipulated in its favour. In this case, any litigation will be brought before the tribunal territorially competent in agreement with common law.
B) Terms and conditions of services annexe to self-drive rental
B.1 – Delivery of the vehicle
B.1.1) Collection and return
The conditions of collection and return of the vehicle are as described above in article A.2, with the following exceptions:
- the vehicle will be made available for collection at a time and location agreed in advance by the hirer and The Classic Route, as noted on the contract,
- the hirer agrees to return the vehicle, its keys and all documents to the location and at a time predefined on the contract. After a delay of one hour, the hirer will be charged, for each additional hour, a supplementary waiting penalty determined by the tariffs in vigour,
- all charges occurring due to the non-return of the vehicle at the time and location stated on the contract will be charged to the hirer.
B.1.2) Pricing – Payment – Deposit of the guarantee
The cost of delivery is determined by the tariffs in vigour. The terms of payment and of deposit of the guarantee are those described in article A.9, except that the hirer will pay, at the latest three weeks before the beginning of the hire period:
- the amount of the deposit of the guarantee demanded,
- the balance of the estimated hire cost, calculated from the tariffs in vigour and the previewed duration o the hire period,
- the balance of the cost of delivery, calculated according to the tariff per kilometre in vigour.
At the end of the hire period, the payment of all outstanding charges should coincide with the issue of the final invoice. If payment is not forthcoming, within a delay of 8 days in excess of the due date of payment, the hirer will be required to pay The Classic Route, in excess of interests and other costs incurred a fixed penalty equivalent to 20% of the sums overdue, by way of a penalty clause, in conformity with the dispositions of article 1229 of the French Civil Code.
Should the sums paid by the hirer in advance of the rental exceed the final balance due, s/he will be reimbursed at the moment of return of the vehicle, or at the moment the final invoice is issued. Should the hirer not receive payment from The Classic Route within a delay of 8 days in excess of the due date of payment, the hirer may demand, by way of a penalty clause, the payment by The Classic Route of a fixed penalty equal to 20% of the sums overdue.
B.2 – Touring packages
B.2.1) Delivery of the information pack – return
An information pack comprising, the road-book, specially prepared road maps and all other documents enabling the organisation of the séjour (names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses, of hotels, restaurants, shows, and other sites of interest) will be provided at the moment of the collection of the vehicle.
On return of the vehicle, the maps provided should be returned in good condition (with the exception of normal wear and tear). Should the maps not be returned or be found to in unusable condition, the hirer will be charged the cost of replacement of the maps as well as of their preparation for use. This sum will be debited from the guarantee deposited by the hirer for the location of the vehicle.
B.2.2) Pricing - Payment
The cost of the touring packages is determined by the tariffs in vigour.
The hirer is required to pay The Classic Route, a deposit of 30% of the cost of the information pack at the moment of reservation. The balance shall be paid, at the latest, at the moment of collection of the hire car (except in the case of delivery, see article B.1.2 above).
The guarantee deposited for the location of the vehicle, will be considered to guarantee the cost of replacement of the maps should this prove necessary.
B.3 – Suitcase hire
B.3.1) Delivery – return
Any suitcases provided to the vehicle hirer by The Classic Route, will be made available at the moment of collection of the hire car.
On return of the vehicle, the suitcases should be returned in good serviceable condition (except normal wear and tear). In the case of non-return or unusual damage, the hirer will be charged the cost of replacement of the suitcase as well as any costs relating to their replacement. This sum will be debited from the guarantee deposited for the hire of the vehicle.
B.3.2) Prices - Payment
The cost of suitcase hire is determined by the tariffs in vigour.
The hirer will pay The Classic Route, a holding deposit of 30% at the moment of reservation, and the balance of payment shall be effectuated, at the latest, at the moment of collection of the vehicle (except in the case of delivery, see article B.1.2 above).
The guarantee deposited for the hire of the vehicle will be considered to guarantee also the hire of suitcases.
B.4 – Luggage transfer
Our vehicles do not always allow the totality of the client’s luggage to be carried on board. To aid our clients we are able to provide a list of transport companies capable of assuring the transfer of the client’s luggage to their chosen destination. Please note that luggage under transfer is insured directly by these companies. The Classic Route does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to luggage transported by these third party companies.
Should the current Terms and Conditions give rise to any difficulty of interpretation;
the French text will be considered definitive.
The current Terms and Conditions and written in concordance with French law.