General rental conditions

The parties

Lessor

DS Autonoleggio di De Santis Davide

SS 280 dei Due Mari, 88046 Lamezia Terme (CZ)
VAT number 03934310792
Company register no. CZ-223200

Hirer

The individual named in the booking, who must be of legal age, hold a valid category B driving licence and meet the age and licence-seniority requirements of the chosen vehicle.

Articles

1. 01

   Subject and handover

   The lessor rents out, without a driver, the vehicle stated in the booking, for the period and at the handover place agreed. The rental is by segment and not by number plate: if the booked model is unavailable, a vehicle of equal or higher segment is provided at no extra cost, and if the replacement does not suit the hirer, the booking may be cancelled without penalty up to pick-up. For vehicles provided by suppliers the lessor acts as an intermediary, and these conditions apply to the hirer in every case. The vehicle is handed over in working order, with registration documents and legally required equipment; its condition is checked jointly at handover and on return, and existing damage is recorded before departure.

2. 02

   Rental period and late return

   The vehicle must be returned by the date and time of the booking. A tolerance of two hours applies; beyond that, one extra rental day is charged at the booking rate, and the same for each further day or part of a day until return. Handovers and returns between midnight and eight in the morning are possible if agreed in advance, with the surcharge shown in the quote.

3. 03

   Who may drive

   Only the hirer and the additional drivers named in the booking may drive, provided they are adults holding a valid category B driving licence and an identity document. Licences issued outside the European Union must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit. Drivers who have held their licence for less than one year may only drive the vehicles marked for new drivers. The vehicle may not be transferred or sublet.

4. 04

   Use of the vehicle

   The vehicle may not be used for illegal purposes or in a way that causes nuisance; to carry passengers for payment or for driving lessons; to tow or push vehicles, trailers or other objects without written permission; for races or speed trials; off-road or on unsuitable roads; by anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs; outside Italy, except for the ferry to Sicily; with a load above the manufacturer's limit, with unsecured loads or with more passengers than permitted. Breach of this article voids the insurance cover and makes the hirer fully liable for any damage.

5. 05

   Care of the vehicle

   The hirer checks the vehicle and its equipment at pick-up and looks after it diligently throughout the rental: parking it in a suitable place, locking it with the alarm on when not in use, keeping keys and devices safe, using the correct fuel and fluids and protecting it from foreseeable events. Call-outs caused by the hirer, for example lost keys or keys locked inside, may incur additional costs. The hirer is liable for damage not recorded at handover, including damage caused by low obstacles such as bridges or branches, up to the amount of the excess. Repairs may not be carried out without the lessor's written consent. If the vehicle is returned without the hirer present, for example out of hours, the lessor's inspection documented with dated photographs, which the hirer may ask to receive, is binding.

6. 06

   Price, deposit and balance

   The price is the one stated in the accepted quote, including VAT. On booking the hirer pays a deposit online equal to 20 per cent of the total; the balance falls due when the vehicle is collected and may be paid in cash, by card, debit card or bank transfer. No security deposit is required: the lessor neither holds nor blocks any sum on the hirer's payment methods.

7. 07

   Cancellation

   Under article 59(n) of the Italian Consumer Code (Legislative Decree 206/2005), the right of withdrawal for distance contracts does not apply to car rental services with a specific date of performance. Cancellation is available on the terms below. The hirer may cancel the booking without penalty up to 72 hours before the pick-up time: the deposit is refunded in full within five working days by the same payment method. After that point, and in the event of a no-show, the deposit is retained as a penalty and nothing further is owed. No penalty applies for a documented cancelled or heavily delayed flight.

8. 08

   Insurance cover and excess

   The vehicle is insured with compulsory third-party liability cover and roadside assistance. The hirer remains liable for an excess, which is the maximum amount owed: 2,500 euro for damage to the vehicle and 3,000 euro in case of theft or fire. With the full cover option the damage excess drops to 500 euro. The excess does not limit liability in the cases of voided cover set out in article 4, nor for damage caused wilfully or by gross negligence, for example refuelling with the wrong fuel: in those cases repairs are charged in full. If the damage is caused by a third party whose liability is established, the hirer owes nothing. If the vehicle is off the road because of damage attributable to the hirer, or is stolen through the hirer's fault, the lessor may charge the rental days lost at the booking rate, plus any recovery costs ordered by the authorities.

9. 09

   Fines and penalties

   Administrative penalties relating to the rental period remain payable by the hirer, including entries into restricted traffic zones (ZTL), unpaid tolls and any removal, impound or storage costs ordered by the authorities. The lessor reports the hirer's details to the authorities, as required by article 196 of the Italian Highway Code, so that the penalty is served on the hirer directly. No administrative handling fee is charged to hirers who are consumers.

10. 10

    Accidents and breakdowns

    In the event of an accident the hirer makes the vehicle safe, notifies the lessor at once, calls the police if anyone is injured or liability is disputed, collects the names and details of those involved and of any witnesses and completes the joint accident statement, without admitting liability. In the event of theft the hirer notifies the lessor at once, reports it to the police and hands over the keys and a copy of the report. Round-the-clock roadside assistance is included; if the vehicle is off the road through a breakdown not attributable to the hirer, the days lost are not charged. The hirer cooperates with the lessor and its insurer in any resulting procedure.

11. 11

    Personal belongings

    The hirer removes personal belongings from the vehicle on return. The lessor is not liable for items left in the vehicle; if found, they are kept and may be shipped at the hirer's expense.

12. 12

    Termination

    If the hirer breaches articles 3 or 4, the lessor may terminate the contract and take back the vehicle. Amounts already accrued and compensation for damage under these conditions remain payable.

13. 13

    Data processing

    The personal data of the hirer and drivers is processed to perform the contract and to meet legal obligations, including tax and road traffic law, in accordance with the privacy notice published on this site. It is not used for marketing without a separate, optional consent. Providing the data requested when booking is necessary in order to enter into the contract.

14. 14

    Governing law and jurisdiction

    The contract is governed by Italian law. For disputes with consumers, the court of the consumer's place of residence or elected domicile has jurisdiction, under article 66-bis of the Italian Consumer Code; in all other cases, the court of the place where the lessor has its registered office. Before going to court the hirer may write to booking@dsautonoleggiolamezia.it or to the certified address dsautonoleggio97@pec.it, and may use mediation before a body registered with the Italian Ministry of Justice (Legislative Decree 28/2010). If any clause proves invalid, the others remain valid. In case of differences between the Italian and English versions of these conditions, the Italian version prevails.

15. 15

    Online acceptance

    The contract is concluded online: the hirer accepts these conditions with the tick box in the booking form. No document is signed at pick-up. The date of acceptance and the version of the text are recorded on the booking, and the conditions remain available at any time on this page.

Operating conditions

The conditions below are the same ones published on the services page and applied by the quote: they form an integral part of the contract.

Documents at pick-up

A valid category B driving licence for the driver and an identity document. We do not ask for a credit card as a guarantee, because we hold no security deposits: the balance is paid however you prefer, in cash, by card, debit card or bank transfer. If you have held your licence for less than a year you drive the cars marked for new drivers. For licences issued outside the European Union an international permit is also required.

Booked model and delivered car

The rental is for a segment, not a number plate. The model in the photograph is what we hand over almost every time; when it does not come back in time on those dates, or it is off the road for servicing, you get a car from the same segment — same seats, same boot, same gearbox, same fuel — or better, at no extra cost. It may come from one of the suppliers we have worked with for years. If the substitute does not suit you, you can cancel without penalty right up to pick-up.

Deposit and balance

When you book you pay a 20 per cent deposit online, by card: that is what holds the car in your name. The balance is settled when you collect the vehicle, and you will already have seen the figure in the quote and in the confirmation email, so nothing new appears at the desk. You can settle it however you like: cash, card, debit card or bank transfer. We ask for no security deposit, neither at booking nor on collection.

No security deposit, but an excess

We take no security deposit: we block nothing and hold nothing on your card, neither at booking nor on collection. Every car carries third-party liability insurance with roadside assistance. If the car is damaged, the most you owe is the 2,500 euro excess; in case of theft or fire, at most 3,000 euro. With the full damage waiver the damage excess drops to 500 euro on any car.

Fuel at the same level

You bring it back with the fuel it had at handover: collect it half full, return it half full. We note the level together on the handover sheet, so it is never a question of memory. If fuel is missing on return, refuelling is charged at 2.50 euro for each missing litre.

Mileage included

Unlimited anywhere in Calabria: no daily cap and no counting on return. To drive outside the region you add the supplement listed under extra services, and you must declare it when booking.

Changes and cancellations

Free cancellation up to 72 hours before pick-up, with the whole deposit refunded within five working days to the same card. After that, or for a no-show, we keep the deposit and nothing else is charged to you. Date changes are free if notified at least 24 hours ahead and subject to availability. For a cancelled or badly delayed flight there is no penalty and the refund is full: the airline's notice is enough.

Breakdowns and assistance

Round-the-clock roadside assistance included, with towing. Every car carries an inflation and repair kit, and some a spare wheel, so a puncture is solved on the spot. We do not provide a replacement car: if the vehicle is off the road through no fault of yours, you do not pay for the days you lose. In an accident, call us first and fill in the joint accident statement.

Leaving Italy

The cars do not leave the country: no rental is authorised abroad, inside the European Union or outside it. Within Italy you drive freely, with unlimited mileage in Calabria and the out-of-region supplement listed under extra services, declared when you book. The ferry to Sicily is allowed.

Pets, smoking, cleaning

Pets are allowed in every car with a carrier or dog guard, which we lend free of charge. Smoking is not allowed in the cars: sanitising costs 80 euro. Returning the car dirty beyond normal use incurs a 40 euro deep clean.