Driver Partner Agreement
This Sarathi (Driver Partner) Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between CityRyde Transportation Services Private Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of India, having its registered office at Nexus Business Centre, SBH Officers Colony, Mega Hills, Madhapur, Hyderabad, Telangana 500081 ("CityRyde", "Company", "Platform", "Aggregator"), and the individual accepting this Agreement through the CityRyde website or mobile application ("Sarathi", "Driver Partner", "Partner").
By selecting "I Agree", registering on the Platform, or accepting ride requests, the Sarathi acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by this Agreement.
1. Purpose
CityRyde operates a technology platform that connects riders with independent driver partners through its mobile application and website.
This Agreement governs the relationship between CityRyde and the Sarathi.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed as creating an employer-employee, agency, partnership, franchise, joint venture, or fiduciary relationship unless expressly required by applicable law.
2. Definitions
For the purposes of this Agreement:
- Platform means the CityRyde mobile application, website, software, APIs, backend systems, and associated services.
- Sarathi means an independent driver partner registered with CityRyde.
- Rider means a customer booking transportation services through the Platform.
- Vehicle means a motorcycle, scooter, auto-rickshaw, car, EV, or any other approved vehicle attached to the Platform.
- Ride means a transportation request accepted by a Sarathi through the Platform.
- Applicable Laws means all central, state, local, transport, taxation, labour, and data protection laws applicable to the parties.
3. Nature of Relationship
The Sarathi acknowledges and agrees that:
- CityRyde is a technology platform and ride aggregator.
- The Sarathi operates as an independent contractor.
- The Sarathi is free to determine when to log in, log out, accept, or decline ride requests, subject to platform quality standards.
- CityRyde does not control the manner in which the Sarathi performs transportation services, except for reasonable platform standards and legal compliance requirements.
- Nothing in this Agreement shall create an employment relationship, agency, partnership, or joint venture between the parties.
4. Eligibility
To register as a Sarathi, the applicant shall:
- be at least 18 years of age or such higher age as required by law;
- possess a valid driving licence appropriate for the vehicle category;
- hold valid vehicle registration documents;
- maintain valid insurance as required by law;
- comply with all applicable transport regulations;
- successfully complete CityRyde's onboarding and verification process.
CityRyde may request additional documents or verification at any time.
5. Vehicle Attachment
The Sarathi may attach an eligible vehicle to the Platform, subject to verification.
The Sarathi represents and warrants that the vehicle:
- is legally registered;
- is roadworthy and maintained in safe operating condition;
- complies with all statutory requirements;
- carries valid insurance and permits where applicable.
The Sarathi remains solely responsible for the condition, maintenance, operation, and legal compliance of the vehicle.
6. Driver Obligations
The Sarathi agrees to:
- comply with all applicable laws and transport regulations;
- drive safely and responsibly;
- treat Riders respectfully and without discrimination;
- maintain personal hygiene and professional conduct;
- refrain from operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or any impairing substance;
- wear appropriate safety equipment where required;
- ensure that mandatory safety equipment is available as required by law;
- promptly report accidents, incidents, or safety concerns to CityRyde.
7. Prohibited Conduct
The Sarathi shall not:
- engage in reckless or dangerous driving;
- solicit payments outside the Platform where prohibited;
- demand additional fares not authorized by the Platform;
- harass, threaten, intimidate, or discriminate against Riders;
- use another person's account;
- share login credentials;
- manipulate GPS, ride data, or fares;
- engage in fraudulent activities;
- transport prohibited goods or engage in unlawful activities.
Violation of this clause may result in immediate suspension or termination.
8. Earnings and Payouts
The Sarathi is eligible to receive earnings for completed rides in accordance with the payout structure communicated by CityRyde.
CityRyde may offer:
- ride earnings;
- promotional incentives;
- referral rewards;
- bonuses;
- guaranteed earning programmes;
- campaign incentives,
subject to separate programme terms.
Payouts shall be processed according to the applicable payout schedule after deductions required by law or agreed under this Agreement.
9. Taxes
The Sarathi acknowledges that they are solely responsible for:
- income tax obligations;
- GST obligations, as and where applicable;
- professional tax, if applicable;
- any other statutory liabilities arising from their business activities.
CityRyde shall not be responsible for the Sarathi's tax compliance except where required by law.
10. Confidentiality
The Sarathi shall keep confidential all non-public information relating to:
- CityRyde's technology;
- pricing models;
- algorithms;
- customer information;
- business strategies;
- trade secrets;
- marketing plans;
- operational procedures.
This obligation survives termination of this Agreement.
11. Intellectual Property
All intellectual property rights in the Platform, including software, trademarks, logos, branding, content, designs, and documentation, are owned exclusively by CityRyde or its licensors.
No licence or ownership is transferred to the Sarathi except the limited right to use the Platform for providing services under this Agreement.
The Sarathi shall not copy, reverse engineer, modify, distribute, or exploit any part of the Platform without prior written permission.
12. Suspension and Termination
CityRyde may suspend or terminate the Sarathi's access to the Platform where reasonably necessary, including for:
- breach of this Agreement;
- safety concerns;
- fraud or attempted fraud;
- repeated customer complaints;
- regulatory non-compliance;
- submission of false information;
- criminal conduct affecting platform safety.
Termination shall not affect accrued rights or obligations existing before termination.
13. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, CityRyde shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages arising from the Sarathi's use of the Platform.
Nothing in this Agreement excludes liability that cannot legally be excluded under applicable law.
14. Indemnity
The Sarathi agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CityRyde, its directors, officers, employees, affiliates, shareholders, contractors, and agents against claims, losses, damages, liabilities, penalties, costs, and expenses arising from:
- breach of this Agreement;
- negligent or unlawful acts of the Sarathi;
- injury or property damage caused by the Sarathi;
- violations of applicable laws;
- infringement of third-party rights.
15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of India.
The parties shall first attempt to resolve disputes amicably through good-faith discussions.
If unresolved, disputes shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The seat of arbitration shall be Hyderabad, Telangana, unless otherwise required by applicable law. Courts having jurisdiction over the seat of arbitration shall have supervisory jurisdiction.
16. Electronic Acceptance
The Sarathi agrees that clicking "I Agree", creating an account, uploading documents, or accepting rides constitutes valid electronic acceptance of this Agreement and shall have the same legal effect as a handwritten signature, to the extent recognized under applicable law.
17. Entire Agreement
This Agreement, together with the Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, Driver Code of Conduct, Payout Policy, Safety Policy, and other incorporated policies, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the subject matter hereof.
Schedule A – Required Documents
The Sarathi shall maintain current and valid copies of all documents required by CityRyde, which may include:
- Driving Licence
- Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC)
- Insurance Certificate
- Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate (where applicable)
- Government-issued Identity Proof
- Bank Account Details
- PAN Card
- Passport-size Photograph
- Selfie Verification
- Any additional documents required under applicable law or CityRyde onboarding procedures.
Acceptance
By clicking "I Agree", the Sarathi confirms that they have read, understood, and voluntarily accepted this Agreement and agree to comply with all applicable CityRyde policies and legal requirements.