Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: 5 May 2026

Last Updated: 5 May 2026

Vanakkam Taxi Private Limited (“Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) operates the vanakkamtaxi.in website and mobile app (collectively the “Platform”) as a marketplace that connects passengers (“Users”) with independent vehicle service providers and travel agencies (“Drivers”) for ridehailing and transport services. By registering for or using our Services, you (“User” or “Driver”) agree to these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”).

The Company is registered as a private limited company in Tamil Nadu, India, and the Platform must be used in compliance with all applicable Indian and Tamil Nadu laws (including the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Motor Vehicles regulations) and IT laws (including the Information Technology Act, 2000).

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ALL OF THESE LEGAL TERMS, THEN YOU ARE EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED FROM USING THE SERVICES AND YOU MUST DISCONTINUE USE IMMEDIATELY.

• Platform/Services: Vanakkam Taxi’s website and mobile app services allowing Users to post ride requests and Drivers to offer transport services.

• User: A person who registers on the Platform to post a ride request (passenger or sender of goods). A person who registers on the Platform to post transportation requests and connect with Drivers. Users are not required to pay any platform subscription fee to access or use the Platform.

• Driver: An independent contractor or travel agency registered on the Platform who owns or operates a vehicle to provide ride services in response to User requests.

• Subscription Plan: A prepaid package of a specified number of rides for a fixed period (e.g. “10 tokens for ₹30”) purchased by a Driver to view and avail requests posted by the User.

• Booking/Contract: Once a User selects a Driver’s proposal and accepts a fare quote, an agreement forms solely between the User and that Driver for the specified ride. The Company acts only as an intermediary.

• “We/Us/Our”: Vanakkam Taxi Private Limited, the owner and operator of the Platform.

• Users: Must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering contracts. By using the Platform, a User represents that they meet this eligibility. Users may post ride requirements and select from Driver proposals.

• Drivers: Must be registered residents of Tamil Nadu (with valid local permits if required) and must hold all mandatory licences and permits. Before providing any service, each Driver must upload and maintain valid documents for themselves and their vehicle: a valid driving licence, a Registration Certificate (RC) and Fitness Certificate (FC) for the vehicle, a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, any required commercial permits (if carrying passengers or goods for hire), and government-approved identity proof. Vehicles more than eight years old from their initial registration are not permitted on the Platform. By onboarding on the Platform, Drivers confirm they comply with all applicable laws (e.g. a driver must not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs as per Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act) and have appropriate insurance. Vanakkam Taxi does not itself provide insurance; Drivers are responsible for maintaining at least the statutory third-party motor insurance (and are encouraged to have personal health or life insurance as recommended by regulations).

To use the Platform, both Users and Drivers must register an account and provide accurate personal information. Drivers must upload the required documents listed above. Users must provide valid contact and payment information. All information must be kept current; any misrepresentation or failure to update required documents may result in suspension of service. We reserve the right to verify any information or documents and to refuse or deactivate any account that is incomplete or fraudulent.

Access to ride leads on the Vanakkam Taxi platform is subscription-based. Drivers must pay the Company’s specified subscription fee (monthly, weekly, etc.) to log in and view ride requests. All subscription fees are non-refundable.

Additionally, Vanakkam Taxi uses a token system for leads. Each ride request posted by a User initially reveals only basic details. To view full ride details or send a proposal, a Driver must spend the required number of tokens. Tokens are prepaid virtual credits purchased by the Driver. The token rules are:

Not Selected: If a Driver spends tokens but is not chosen for the ride, those tokens are refunded to the Driver’s account.

User Cancels: If a User cancels the trip before assignment, any tokens spent by Drivers on that lead are fully refunded.

Driver Cancels After Acceptance: If a Driver accepts a User’s booking (through the platform) and then cancels without valid cause, 50% of the tokens spent are forfeited (no refund). This discourages unnecessary cancellations.

Vanakkam Taxi reserves the right to adjust token pricing or introduce new token-based services with advance notice.

A User posts a ride request with details (pickup, drop-off, date/time, vehicle type, etc.). Registered Drivers may submit fare proposals to serve that request. The User may review proposals and choose one Driver; at that point, a direct service agreement forms between that User and Driver. The Company is not a party to that agreement.

Fares are agreed upfront in each proposal. While the Company encourages fair pricing, Drivers independently set their quoted fare for each job post deduction of applicable tokens. Users should review and accept any fare before confirming a ride.

Once a Driver’s quote is accepted, the Driver must provide the ride and the User must pay the agreed fare. Vanakkam Taxi’s platform generally operates on a zero-commission model for standard ride services and does not charge any commission beyond token fees, allowing Drivers to retain the full fare agreed with the User. Neither party may alter the fare afterwards except as explicitly allowed below.

After a fare is agreed:

• The Driver must not demand extra charges from the User beyond the agreed amount. Prohibitions on extra fees include taxi meters, surge pricing, or ad-hoc toll/parking fees.

• Waiting time: Drivers may charge reasonable waiting fees only if the User causes a delay. Such charges must be nominal (e.g. ₹5–₹10) and applied only after a short grace period (generally 5 minutes past scheduled pickup).

• Tolls/Parking: Responsibility for parking fees, tolls, bridge fees, or other incidental costs shall rest with the Driver (unless the booking specifically stated otherwise). Drivers may include such costs upfront in their proposal if needed or collect it directly from the user. There is an option to log such costs in the app helping drivers and users to maintain record of the instance.

Any attempt by a Driver to alter the agreed fare or demand unauthorized fees (e.g. “surge” or hidden charges) is a breach and may lead to penalties or termination. This ensures transparency and avoids disputes.

All subscription fees are non-refundable. Vanakkam Taxi acts only as a technology platform facilitating connections between Users and Drivers and does not guarantee completion of any ride once a booking is confirmed.

User Cancellation

Users may cancel a booking prior to the commencement of the service. Once a fare is agreed between the User and the Driver, the User is legally obligated to pay the full agreed amount upon completion of the ride. Any attempt by a User to underpay, delay payment, or refuse payment without valid reason shall be considered a breach of these Terms.

In the event of non-payment or partial payment by a User or if a User cancels a confirmed ride without reasonable cause or at the last moment within the stipulated time period, Vanakkam Taxi reserves the right to take appropriate action including but not limited to:

• Issuing warnings to the User

• Temporarily restricting or suspending the User account

• Permanently terminating the User account in cases of repeated misuse

• Charging a cancellation fee or penalty where applicable and permitted by law

The Driver retains the right to report the incident through the Platform. Where applicable, cancellation penalties shall be determined by Vanakkam Taxi in accordance with applicable laws and platform policies.

Driver Cancellation

Drivers are expected to honour confirmed bookings. If a Driver cancels a confirmed booking without a valid reason or cancels at the last moment causing inconvenience to the User, Vanakkam Taxi may impose appropriate corrective actions including:

• Temporary/Permanent suspension of the Driver account

• Reduced visibility of the Driver profile on the Platform

• Monetary penalties where applicable

• Forfeiture of token

• Compensation payable to the affected User

The appropriate corrective action shall be determined by Vanakkam Taxi depending on the nature and frequency of such cancellations.

Vanakkam Taxi is not responsible for a User failing to pay. If a Passenger underpays or refuses to pay, the Driver bears that risk. The Driver may file a complaint through the platform, but Vanakkam Taxi does not guarantee recovery of unpaid fares.However, the platform will assist in dispute resolution and repeated offenders (users) will be banned

Users and Drivers agree not to bypass the Platform to conduct transactions or arrangements outside the Vanakkam Taxi system for transportation services that were initially initiated through the Platform.

Any attempt by a User or Driver to:

• Exchange personal contact information for the purpose of avoiding the Platform

• Complete transactions outside the Platform after initiating contact through the Platform

• Avoid platform policies or subscription requirements

may result in disciplinary actions including:

• Suspension of accounts

• Permanent removal from the Platform

• Restriction of future access to services

Vanakkam Taxi reserves the right to investigate and take appropriate action against any activity that attempts to circumvent the Platform.

Vanakkam Taxi provides the Platform on an "as available" and "as is" basis. While reasonable efforts are made to ensure reliability of the Platform, Vanakkam Taxi does not guarantee that the Platform will operate uninterrupted, secure, or error-free at all times.

The Company shall not be liable for any losses or damages arising from:

• temporary service interruptions

• system failures

• third-party service outages (including payment gateways, mapping services, or telecom providers)

• internet connectivity issues

• maintenance activities or software updates

Users and Drivers acknowledge that digital platforms may occasionally experience technical disruption

Users agree to:

• Provide accurate information (location, destination, number of passengers, nature of goods, etc.) when requesting a ride.

• Behave lawfully and respectfully during rides. Users must comply with all applicable laws (e.g. not carrying prohibited items) and platform rules.

• Make timely payment of fares or other applicable dues.

• Not post discriminatory, illegal or harassing content on the Platform.

• Follow any reasonable instructions given by Drivers for safety or legal compliance (such as passenger limits or baggage rules).

A User’s failure to comply may result in termination of service or legal liability.

Drivers must provide safe, reliable service and comply with all laws. Drivers agree to:

• Hold a valid, unexpired driving licence appropriate for the vehicle type (per Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988).

• Operate only vehicles that have valid registration (RC), fitness certificate, pollution certificate, and any required permits. Vehicles must not exceed eight years from initial registration.

• Maintain mandatory motor insurance (third-party cover at a minimum). While Vanakkam Taxi provides no insurance, Drivers are expected to have any personal vehicle or health insurance mandated by regulations.

• Ensure the vehicle is clean, roadworthy, and in the condition described on the Platform.

• Perform the ride as agreed, following traffic laws. Drivers must not deviate from the agreed route in a way that endangers the User; any legitimate delay or route change should be communicated promptly to the User. (National guidelines require that the chosen route be followed unless changing it for safety, in which case the control centre must be alerted.)

• Treat Users courteously, without discrimination. No Driver should make unsolicited stops or pick up additional passengers beyond what is agreed in the booking.

• Use the Platform exclusively for Vanakkam bookings while the job is active. (In other words, Drivers must ensure that they do not accept or confirm bookings on the Vanakkam Taxi platform if they are unable to fulfil the service due to commitments on other platforms or engagement).

• Not solicit, offer or accept any fee outside of the Platform’s payment channels.

• Under no circumstances shall a Driver operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Vanakkam Taxi reserves the right to suspend the account of any Driver suspected of substance abuse.

Failure to meet these obligations may lead to suspension of the Driver’s account and legal actions if applicable.

The transportation services arranged through the Platform are provided solely by independent Drivers. Vanakkam Taxi does not own, operate, or control any vehicles listed on the Platform and does not provide transportation services.

Accordingly, Vanakkam Taxi shall not be responsible for any injury, loss, damage, accident, delay, or inconvenience arising out of or in connection with the transportation services provided by Drivers. Users acknowledge that all transportation services are provided at their own risk and agree that Vanakkam Taxi shall not be liable for any acts, omissions, negligence, or misconduct of Drivers.

Drivers remain solely responsible for the safe operation of their vehicles and compliance with all applicable laws including the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Vanakkam Taxi is committed to promoting safety for both Users and Drivers while using the Platform.

While the Platform currently does not provide real-time GPS ride tracking within the application, Drivers are expected to share accurate arrival information and communicate responsibly with Users regarding ride status and estimated arrival times. Vanakkam Taxi may introduce additional safety features in the future, including enhanced ride monitoring capabilities, in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and platform development.

The Platform provides an Emergency SOS feature intended to assist Users and Drivers during emergency situations. By activating the SOS feature within the application:

• The user may be redirected to local emergency contact numbers such as 112 or 100 for police or other emergency services.

• An alert may be simultaneously transmitted to the Vanakkam Taxi support or grievance handling team for awareness and assistance.

Users and Drivers are encouraged to contact appropriate emergency services directly in situations involving immediate danger, accidents, criminal activity, or health emergencies. Vanakkam Taxi does not guarantee response times from public emergency authorities and shall not be held responsible for the actions or inactions of such authorities.

Vanakkam Taxi shall maintain a grievance redressal mechanism to address complaints or concerns raised by Users or Drivers. A Grievance Officer shall be appointed by the Company in accordance with applicable Indian laws, including the Information Technology Act, 2000 and relevant intermediary guidelines.

The Company shall endeavour to review and respond to grievances within a reasonable time frame. Contact details for grievance redressal and support shall be made available on the Platform.

Vanakkam Taxi reserves the right to investigate and take action against fraudulent activity, abuse of platform services, or manipulation of ride requests.

Vanakkam Taxi collects personal information necessary for service provision (e.g. name, contact details, payment data, ride history,etc…). We do not use or sell User data for marketing. All personal data processing is done in compliance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. We take reasonable measures to protect your data (as required by law and best practices). By using the Platform, you consent to our collection and use of your data as described. For details, please see our Privacy Policy.

All content on the Platform (text, graphics, logos, images) is owned or licensed by Vanakkam Taxi. Users and Drivers may use the Platform content only as permitted by these Terms. Any unauthorized use is prohibited.

Vanakkam Taxi acts only as a technology intermediary facilitating connections between Users and Drivers. The Company is not a party to any contract for transport entered into between Users and Drivers. Accordingly, the Company disclaims liability for any act, omission or injury arising out of the ride itself. In particular:

• Service Disclaimer: The Company does not own or operate vehicles and does not provide transportation itself. We do not guarantee the quality, safety or legality of any ride. All such matters are solely the responsibility of the Driver and User involved.

• No Insurance Coverage: The Company provides no insurance for Users or Drivers. Riders should ensure they have personal insurance; Drivers must carry required vehicle insurance. The Company is not liable for any loss or injury (including death, accident or theft) during a ride.

• IT Intermediary Safe Harbor: As an online intermediary, Vanakkam Taxi is protected under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. We are not responsible for third-party content or communications exchanged on our Platform. We will, however, cooperate with authorities if notified of unlawful content or conduct.

Except for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company and its officers, directors and employees will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages arising from the use of the Platform or from any ride, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

You agree to indemnify and hold Vanakkam Taxi and its officers, directors, employees and agents harmless from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of: (a) your use of the Platform; (b) any breach of these Terms by you; or (c) your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.

We may suspend or terminate your account and access to the Platform at any time for any breach of these Terms or for any behaviour we deem harmful or unlawful. Upon termination, your right to use the Services immediately ceases, but the following provisions will survive: Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, Dispute Resolution, and Governing Law.

These Terms, your use of the Platform, and any disputes arising out of them are governed by the laws of India (including applicable central and Tamil Nadu state laws). In case of any dispute or claim, the parties agree to first attempt mediation. If unresolved, any remaining dispute will be settled by binding arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, with the seat (place) of arbitration in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The arbitration proceedings will be conducted in English or Tamil. The courts in Coimbatore shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any appeals or enforcement of arbitration awards. (For example, courts have upheld that parties who agree to Coimbatore arbitration have waived other jurisdiction.)

Vanakkam Taxi shall not be held liable for any delay or failure in performance of its obligations under these Terms if such delay or failure results from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, acts of government, internet outages, technical failures, labour strikes, pandemics, transportation disruptions, or other unforeseen circumstances.

• Amendments: We may update these Terms at any time. We will notify users of significant changes via the Platform or email. Continued use of the Services after changes indicates acceptance of the new Terms.

• Entire Agreement: These Terms (together with the Privacy Policy and any other posted guidelines) constitute the entire agreement between you and Vanakkam Taxi regarding the Platform and supersede all prior agreements.

• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remainder will continue in full force.

• Contact: For questions about these Terms, please contact our support team as provided on the Platform.

By clicking “I Agree” or registering on Vanakkam Taxi, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions in full. This Agreement is effective until terminated by either party.