PSM Workshop Vehicle Hire Terms and Conditions

1. Parties and agreement

The agreement is between NZ Auto Services Limited trading as PSM Workshop (PSM or Operator) and the hirer named on page 1 (Hirer). PSM lets, and the Hirer takes, the vehicle identified in the Hire Summary for the recorded hire period. A replacement vehicle approved by PSM is also treated as the Vehicle.

2. Authorised Drivers

The Vehicle may be driven only by an Authorised Driver named and approved in this agreement. An Authorised Driver must hold and present a current full New Zealand driver licence appropriate for the Vehicle. Learner, restricted and overseas licences are not accepted. The Hirer is responsible for ensuring no other person drives the Vehicle.

3. Change in licence status

Each driver must immediately tell PSM if their licence expires, is suspended, cancelled, disqualified, or becomes subject to a material condition during the hire. That person must stop driving immediately and may not resume unless PSM gives written approval.

4. Public and external hire charges

Public and external hire is $25 plus GST ($28.75 including GST) for each commenced 24-hour period, with a minimum charge of three days: $75 plus GST ($86.25 including GST). The Hire Summary records the agreed number of billed days and total. Hire charges are payable before collection unless PSM agrees otherwise in writing.

5. PSM repair-customer courtesy rate

The $30 plus GST ($34.50 including GST) flat rate applies only where the Hirer's own vehicle is genuinely booked with PSM for servicing, diagnosis or repairs. It covers the reasonable period needed to complete approved workshop work, subject to availability. Delays caused by the Hirer, unauthorised retention or use after notice to return may be charged at the public daily rate.

6. Security bond

PSM will hold or pre-authorise the $500 bond before collection. The bond is separate from the insurance excess and does not cap the Hirer's liability. After return and inspection, PSM may apply the bond only to properly payable hire charges, fuel, cleaning, missing items, damage, tolls, infringement administration, recovery or other agreed charges. PSM will give an itemised explanation and supporting information for deductions and refund the balance as soon as reasonably practicable, normally within five business days once known charges are assessed.

7. Other charges

The Hirer must pay only charges stated in the Hire Summary or reasonably incurred under this agreement, including agreed late hire, actual refuelling, agreed excess-distance charges, reasonable cleaning or repair costs, replacement of missing keys or accessories, lawful toll or infringement administration, and reasonable retrieval or towing caused by the Hirer's breach. A blank fee field means that fixed fee does not apply; actual reasonable loss may still be payable where this agreement permits.

8. Permitted use

The Vehicle may be used only for lawful private or ordinary business travel on formed public roads within New Zealand, for the purpose disclosed to PSM. The Hirer must use reasonable care, comply with all road laws, licence conditions and manufacturer warnings, carry no more passengers or load than permitted, and ensure every occupant uses an approved restraint.

9. Prohibited use

The Hirer must not sublet, lend or use the Vehicle for passenger hire or reward; use it for racing, rallying, speed testing, driver instruction, towing, pushing, off-road or beach driving; overload it; carry dangerous or unlawful goods; smoke or vape in it; alter or interfere with it; use incorrect fuel; drive while impaired or fatigued; use it for any unlawful purpose; or permit use by an unauthorised driver.

IMPORTANT — UNAUTHORISED DRIVERS: Allowing anyone who is not verified, approved and named in this agreement to drive is a serious breach and may affect insurance protection, subject to the insurer-confirmed policy and New Zealand law.

10. Care and security

The Hirer and each Authorised Driver must keep the Vehicle locked when unattended, keep all keys secure, take reasonable care of the tyres and glass, monitor warning lights and obvious fluid or tyre-pressure concerns, and protect the Vehicle against theft, loss and avoidable damage. Personal property should not be left in the Vehicle. PSM is not responsible for personal property except to the extent required by law.

11. Faults and warning lights

The driver must stop safely and contact PSM immediately if a serious warning light appears, the Vehicle overheats, becomes unsafe, or a fault may worsen through continued driving. The Vehicle must not be driven further unless PSM or its roadside provider confirms it is safe. The Hirer may be responsible for additional damage caused by knowingly continuing to drive.

12. Repairs, towing and breakdown

The Hirer must not arrange repairs, parts, towing or salvage without PSM's approval, except where immediately necessary to protect people or prevent further damage. PSM is responsible for ordinary operating and mechanical costs not caused by the Hirer. If a non-fault mechanical failure prevents use, PSM will reasonably attempt repair or replacement and provide any remedy required by consumer law.

13. Accident, theft or damage

The Hirer must notify PSM immediately, contact emergency services where required, protect the Vehicle from further loss, obtain the names, addresses, vehicle registrations and insurer details of involved parties, obtain witness details, take photographs when safe, and complete PSM's incident report promptly. Theft must be reported to Police. No driver may admit liability, settle a claim or authorise repairs without PSM's written approval.

14. Return and extensions

The Vehicle, keys and accessories must be returned to PSM at the agreed place, date, time and fuel level. The hire continues until PSM receives the Vehicle and keys, subject to any after-hours return procedure PSM has approved in writing. Any extension must be requested before expiry and is effective only when PSM approves it in writing and the additional hire is paid. Each commenced extra 24-hour period is charged at $25 plus GST unless another rate is written in the Hire Summary.

15. Early return and cancellation

The three-day minimum public-hire charge is not refundable merely because the Vehicle is returned early. Prepaid whole 24-hour periods beyond the minimum that have not begun will be refunded unless PSM has reasonably incurred a directly related non-recoverable loss disclosed to the Hirer. A booking cancelled at least 24 hours before collection receives a refund. A later cancellation or no-show may incur PSM's reasonable administration and direct loss, capped at one public daily rate unless a different lawful amount was individually agreed.

16. Operator cancellation and repossession

PSM may cancel before collection if no suitable Vehicle is available, in which case prepaid hire and bond amounts will be refunded. PSM may cancel during hire and reasonably recover the Vehicle if there is fraud, material breach, an unauthorised driver, illegal or unsafe use, abandonment, non-payment, failure to return, or a reasonable safety risk. PSM will act lawfully and reasonably, and cancellation does not remove accrued rights or charges.

17. Hirer's liability for loss

Subject to the selected insurance, exclusions, this agreement and applicable law, the Hirer is responsible for loss of or damage to the Vehicle, keys and accessories and for third-party loss caused by an Authorised Driver's use or negligence during the hire. The Hirer is not responsible for recorded pre-existing damage, fair wear and tear, or mechanical failure not caused or worsened by the Hirer. PSM must support damage charges with a reasonable assessment, quote, invoice or other evidence.

18. Insurance offer and excess

Before signing, PSM must offer vehicle insurance and record the Hirer's election. If the Hirer accepts PSM's offered cover, the policy details, coverage limit, $1,000 excess per separate incident or claim, and material exclusions must be completed and attached or provided. If the actual covered loss is less than an excess collected, the balance will be refunded after assessment. PSM does not promise cover beyond the insurer-confirmed terms.

BOND DOES NOT REPLACE THE EXCESS: The $500 bond is security for charges. The standard insurance excess is $1,000 per separate insured incident or claim. A higher liability may apply only where supported by the confirmed policy, this agreement and New Zealand law.

19. Insurance exclusions

Insurance may be unavailable or liability may exceed the stated excess only in circumstances contained in the insurer-confirmed policy and permitted by law. These may include causally relevant impaired driving, reckless or wilful damage, unauthorised driving, use outside the agreed hire period, unlawful or prohibited use, failure to respond to an unsafe condition, or material breach. PSM must not release the Vehicle until the actual exclusions are recorded and explained. Where applicable, section 11 of the Insurance Law Reform Act 1977 applies.

20. Hirer's own insurance

The Hirer may propose their own insurance. PSM may require evidence that it is current, comprehensive and comparable to PSM's cover and may decline the hire if it is not satisfactory. If approved, the Hirer remains responsible for amounts payable under this agreement and may seek recovery from their insurer. The own-insurance election and approval must be recorded before release.

21. Fuel, cleaning, keys and accessories

The Vehicle must be returned at the fuel level recorded on collection. The Hirer must pay the actual reasonable refuelling cost and only the service fee recorded on page 2. No smoking or vaping is permitted. Animals require prior written approval, except assistance dogs. The Hirer must pay reasonable evidenced cleaning costs beyond normal use and the reasonable cost of replacing keys or accessories lost or damaged during the hire.

22. Tolls, parking and infringements

The Hirer is responsible for tolls, parking charges and offences arising from use during the hire. PSM may transfer liability and give required driver information to an enforcement authority. Any administration fee must be stated on page 2 and be reasonable. Before charging an infringement fee to a payment card, PSM will comply with the Land Transport Rule: Operator Licensing 2017, including providing the required notice and copies and explaining the Hirer's rights to challenge, query, object, seek a hearing within the applicable time, and dispute a card charge. PSM will not treat the infringement itself as PSM revenue.

23. Payment-card authority

The Hirer authorises PSM to process the agreed hire charge and bond and, after reasonable notice and supporting information, properly payable post-hire charges under this agreement. This authority does not permit arbitrary or unsupported charges and does not remove the Hirer's right to dispute a charge. Infringement fees may be debited only after the legally required process has been followed.

24. Privacy

PSM may collect, hold, use and disclose information needed to assess the hire, verify drivers, administer payment and insurance, recover the Vehicle or debt, transfer infringement liability, meet legal duties and protect safety. Information may be shared where reasonably necessary with NZTA, Police, enforcement authorities, insurers, roadside or recovery providers, payment providers, advisers and debt-recovery agents. Individuals may request access to and correction of their personal information under the Privacy Act 2020.

25. Consumer rights

Nothing in this agreement excludes, restricts or modifies rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded, including under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and Fair Trading Act 1986. The Vehicle will be supplied safe, roadworthy, clean and reasonably fit for the agreed purpose, subject to any minor defect specifically recorded and accepted. No contracting out for business use applies unless separately agreed in writing and lawful, fair and reasonable.

26. Complaints and disputes

The Hirer should contact PSM promptly with any complaint and give PSM a reasonable opportunity to investigate and remedy it. The parties will try in good faith to resolve a dispute using records, photographs, quotes and insurer information. Either party may use the Disputes Tribunal, courts, regulatory complaints processes or any other lawful remedy.

27. General

Changes must be recorded in writing and agreed by both parties, except details completed with the Hirer's authority before collection. If a term is unenforceable, the remainder continues. Delay in enforcing a right is not a waiver. Electronic copies and signatures may be used. New Zealand law applies. The signed Hire Summary, these terms and attached schedules are the entire agreement for this hire.

KEEP A COPY IN THE VEHICLE: PSM must provide the Hirer with a complete copy of the agreement. The Hirer must keep a paper or electronic copy in the Vehicle throughout the hire and produce it to an enforcement officer on demand.