Driver Terms of Service

Last updated: 28 June 2026

1. Introduction

1.1 These Driver Terms of Service (“Terms”) form a legally binding agreement between the driver (“Driver”, “you”) and Upstart Forge Limited, trading as FairTaxi (registered business name RBN 786959), a private company limited by shares incorporated in Ireland on 28 May 2026 (company number 817002), registered office at 22 Drumnigh Wood, Portmarnock, Co Dublin, D13 P652, VAT number IE 4744030VH, holder of National Transport Authority (NTA) dispatch operator licence DH12674 (“FairTaxi”, “we”, “us”, “our”). Contact: complaints@fairtaxi.ie (general/complaints), privacy@fairtaxi.ie (privacy enquiries), support@fairtaxi.ie (support), +353 89 965 3357.

1.2 By creating a Driver account and accessing the FairTaxi platform, you accept these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the platform.

1.3 FairTaxi operates a software‑as‑a‑service marketplace and dispatch platform that connects independent Drivers with Riders. FairTaxi holds NTA dispatch operator licence number DH12674.

2. Your relationship with FairTaxi

2.1 Independent contractor. You are an independent contractor, not an employee, worker, agent, or partner of FairTaxi. You operate your own transportation business and retain full control over the manner, means, and timing of providing rides.

2.2 You acknowledge and agree that:

• FairTaxi does not supervise, direct, or control your activities as a driver.
• You are free to accept or decline ride requests through the platform.
• You are solely responsible for your own tax filings, including income tax, PRSI, USC, and VAT (if applicable), and for complying with all laws relating to your business.
• FairTaxi does not provide any employment benefits, holiday pay, sick pay, or pension.

2.3 Nothing in these Terms creates a joint venture, franchise, or partnership.

3. Platform subscription

3.1 Access to the platform is provided on a subscription basis. You pay a fixed subscription fee. This is not a per‑ride commission. Plans start from EUR 50 per month, and the current subscription rates for each plan are published in the App. We currently offer four plan tiers:

• Day pass: a single 24‑hour purchase of dispatch access. Does not auto‑renew.
• Monthly: billed every month.
• Quarterly: billed every three months.
• Half‑yearly: billed every six months.

3.2 Billing date and cycle length. Your billing date is anchored to the date on which you purchased your first paid plan. We bill on the same calendar day each cycle where possible. If a future month does not contain that day (for example you signed up on the 31st of a month and the next month is February), the charge is taken on the last day of the shorter month instead, and reverts to the original day the following month. This is standard practice across major subscription services. A consequence is that cycle length can vary between 28 and 31 days for monthly plans, between 89 and 92 days for quarterly plans, and between 180 and 184 days for half‑yearly plans.

3.3 Free trial. Drivers signing up to the monthly, quarterly, or half‑yearly plan for the first time receive a 30‑day free trial. A valid payment method is required to start the trial. You may cancel before the trial ends and you will not be charged. The trial is limited to one per driver identity. Day passes are not eligible for the free trial.

3.4 Subscription payments are collected by FairTaxi as the merchant of record through Stripe. Chargebacks on subscription payments are the responsibility of FairTaxi. The driver subscription is the only money FairTaxi itself charges; FairTaxi is the merchant of record for subscriptions only and never holds or receives any ride fare (see Section 6).

3.5 Non‑payment. If your subscription payment fails, you will lose dispatch access immediately (no grace period). Your access is restored when the payment is successfully collected. Continued non‑payment will lead to account termination.

3.6 You may cancel your subscription at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. No partial refunds are provided. Day passes cannot be cancelled or refunded because the access period begins immediately on purchase.

4. Your licences, documents, and compliance

4.1 You must hold, at all times, a valid Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) driver’s licence issued by the National Transport Authority. You must also operate a validly licensed SPSV vehicle.

4.2 During onboarding, you must upload clear copies of the following documents. You must keep them current and immediately update any document that is about to expire or is renewed:

• SPSV driver’s licence;
• Vehicle PSV licence;
• Current motor insurance certificate showing cover for public hire and reward;
• NCT certificate for the vehicle (if applicable);
• Evidence of Garda Vetting clearance (if required by law).

4.3 FairTaxi verifies these documents at onboarding and monitors expiry dates. FairTaxi does not insure you, your vehicle, or any passenger. You are solely responsible for maintaining adequate insurance at all times.

4.4 If any required document expires or is revoked, you must stop using the platform until you provide updated and valid documents. Failure to do so will result in immediate suspension and your online status will be blocked.

5. Driver responsibilities

5.1 You must comply fully with the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, all NTA regulations, and any other applicable law, including:

• using a calibrated and sealed taximeter in accordance with prescribed maximum fares;
• issuing a printed or electronic receipt on request;
• maintaining your vehicle in a clean, safe, and roadworthy condition;
• not refusing a fare without reasonable cause as permitted by law;
• displaying your driver identification and vehicle licence as required.

5.2 You must treat all Riders with respect and not discriminate on any ground, including gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or age. Harassment, abuse, or any form of illegal conduct will result in immediate termination and referral to the NTA and An Garda Síochána.

5.3 You are responsible for the safety of yourself, your passengers, and the vehicle at all times.

6. Fare and payment model

6.1 For all rides, the fare is determined by your licensed taximeter (or, for hackney services, by agreement with the Rider in compliance with NTA rules). FairTaxi may display an estimated fare to the Rider, but you are not bound by that estimate.

6.2 Payment methods. The Rider may pay by:

• cash (handled between you and the Rider);
• your own card terminal (e.g. SumUp) (handled by you); or
• App card payment (Stripe Connect direct charge). When the Rider selects “pay by saved card” in the App, FairTaxi facilitates the charge as a technical intermediary. The charge is created on your Stripe Connect account and you are the merchant of record. Funds settle directly to your Connect balance. FairTaxi does not hold or receive the ride money at any point. No commission is deducted from the fare.

6.3 Your obligations as merchant of record for App card payments:

• You must maintain a valid Stripe Connect account linked to the platform.
• As the merchant of record, you are responsible for all liability arising from the payment transaction, including chargebacks, refunds, and disputes. Chargebacks will be debited from your Stripe Connect balance or linked bank account.
• You must account for VAT on fares where applicable and issue a proper VAT invoice if required.
• You agree that FairTaxi may, in its discretion, facilitate a refund to a Rider through Stripe in connection with a dispute handled under our dispute resolution process. The funds will be deducted from your Stripe Connect balance. FairTaxi will not use its own funds for such refunds.
• You must maintain sufficient funds in your Stripe Connect account to cover chargebacks, refunds, and fees.

6.4 FairTaxi does not receive any portion of the ride fare and is not a party to the fare transaction.

7. Disputes between Rider and Driver

7.1 Riders may initiate a dispute via the App (up to 5 photos of evidence). FairTaxi provides a review process as a best‑effort customer service. Our role is that of a neutral intermediary.

7.2 You agree to cooperate fully with any dispute review, including providing any information or evidence FairTaxi reasonably requests.

7.3 If FairTaxi determines that a refund is warranted, it may issue one from your Stripe Connect account as described in Section 6.3. You remain free to pursue any separate remedy directly with the Rider.

7.4 Disputes related to your conduct or compliance may be reported to the NTA. You understand that FairTaxi may also make a report to the NTA or law enforcement.

7.5 Driver-charged platform fees: reversal on Rider dispute. Certain fees in the App are captured directly to your Stripe Connect account without Rider sign-off at the time of capture. These are:

• the No-Show Fee (EUR 5.00) captured when you mark a Rider’s ride as passenger_no_show after arriving at the pickup point and waiting the minimum wait window, because the Rider failed to appear; and
• the Cancellation Fee (EUR 5.00) captured against a Rider’s authorised card hold (App card payments) or settled with you directly (cash/terminal rides) when the Rider cancels a booking more than 2 minutes after you accepted it. Cancellations before acceptance, or within 2 minutes of acceptance, are free and no fee is captured.

Both fees are the same EUR 5.00 charge described from each side. Each is paid to you (it compensates you for time and distance) and is captured to your Stripe Connect account; FairTaxi receives no part of either fee.

Neither fee applies where the cancellation or no-show is attributable to driver fault, including where you are late beyond a reasonable time, you fail to appear, you go to the wrong pickup location, your vehicle is unsuitable or not accessible as required, or there is a safety concern.

You agree that, where a Rider disputes such a fee and FairTaxi determines after review that the capture was not justified, FairTaxi may reverse the fee from your Stripe Connect balance to the Rider. “Not justified” includes, without limitation, cases where the available evidence does not show you at the pickup location for the required wait window, or where the location data submitted by your device has been flagged as unreliable (for example, originating from a mock-location provider on your device, see Section 8.4). This reversal is platform-side and without prejudice to either party’s separate civil remedy.

7.6 Dispute window. Before reversing a fee under Section 7.5, FairTaxi will notify you via the App and email. You have seven (7) calendar days from that notification to submit a response and any supporting evidence (photos, dashcam, witness statements, your own timeline). If you do not respond within seven days, FairTaxi may proceed with the reversal. If you respond, FairTaxi will weigh both sides’ evidence before deciding. FairTaxi’s decision is final on the platform side and is without prejudice to any separate civil remedy you choose to pursue against the Rider.

7.7 Pattern of disputes. A repeating pattern of unjustified captures (as determined under Section 7.5) is treated as a breach of these terms and may, in addition to fee reversals, result in account suspension or permanent termination under Section 9.

8. Location data and device usage

8.1 To provide the service, the App requires access to your device’s location. As a condition of platform access, and in accordance with our Privacy Policy, FairTaxi collects and processes precise location data:

• in the foreground while you are using the App; and
• in the background while you are available for ride requests or on an active ride.

8.2 You must have a compatible smartphone with a data plan sufficient to run the App. FairTaxi is not responsible for data charges.

8.3 Location history is used to provide trip records, safety features, and driver‑support tools, and is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

8.4 Location authenticity. You must not use any tool, app, or device setting that injects, alters, or otherwise falsifies your device’s reported location to the FairTaxi App. This includes mock-location providers (Android Developer Options “Select mock location app”), GPS-spoofing apps, hardware emulators, and similar techniques. The App’s reported location must come from your physical device’s GNSS / network providers in real time.

8.5 Consequences. Location samples flagged as mock or otherwise unauthentic at the time of a billable event (notably, your I'm here arrival tap that starts the no-show clock) may, at FairTaxi’s discretion, be:

• excluded as evidence in a dispute under Section 7.5,
• treated as the absence of valid arrival evidence (so the underlying fee will be reversed if challenged), and
• escalated under Section 9 (suspension / termination) where the spoofing was intentional or repeated.

8.6 We may at any time and without prior notice add or change the technical signals we use to verify location authenticity. Continued use of the App constitutes acceptance of such verification.

8.7 Third-party navigation. The App’s “Navigate” action opens a third-party navigation app of your choice (for example Google Maps or Waze, or the app your device selects) and passes it the pickup or destination of your current ride so that it can route you there. FairTaxi does not control, and is not responsible for, those third-party apps, including the accuracy of their routes, their estimated times, their availability, or any charges, data use, or terms imposed by their providers. Your use of a third-party navigation app is governed by that provider’s own terms and privacy policy, and choosing or following any route it suggests remains your responsibility as the driver.

8.8 Single active device and account security.

One active device. Your Driver account is personal to you as the approved, licensed Driver (see Section 1.2) and may be used on only one active device at a time. When your account is signed in on a new device, FairTaxi may automatically sign the account out on any other device. This is a security, identity‑verification, and fraud‑prevention measure, and it supports SPSV licensing and accurate location and trip records and reduces account sharing and earnings‑related fraud (see Section 8.4). It is account session management, not a suspension of your access under Section 9.

No sharing. You must not share your password, one‑time sign‑in codes, device access, or other credentials with anyone. You must not allow another person to accept, perform, manage, or complete jobs through your Driver account, and you must not use another person’s Driver account. Your Driver account may not be transferred, rented, shared, or operated on behalf of another person.

Security notice. If we detect a new sign‑in or sign your account out of another device, we may notify you in the App, by email, SMS, or another channel. If you believe a sign‑in or sign‑out was unauthorised, contact FairTaxi support promptly. We process sign‑in, device, and session data for these security and fraud‑prevention purposes as described in our Privacy Policy; no separate consent is required for this processing.

8.9 Session continuity. When you choose to make yourself available to receive or carry out jobs, you are responsible for keeping your account signed in on your active device and for maintaining your device’s connectivity, battery, permissions, notification settings, and app settings.

FairTaxi is not responsible for offers, bookings, jobs, fares, ratings, or earnings that you miss or lose because of circumstances within your control, including your device, network, settings, battery, permissions, your failure to remain signed in, or your account being signed out because you, or someone using your credentials, signed in on another device under Section 8.8. The financial limits and exclusions in Section 10 (including Section 10.4) apply.

This Section 8.9 does not exclude or limit any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, and does not apply to losses caused by FairTaxi’s breach of these Terms, its negligence, wilful misconduct, platform error, or a failure to apply the session controls described in these Terms.

9. Termination and suspension

9.1 We may suspend or terminate your account immediately if:

• you fail to maintain required documents;
• you breach these Terms, including meter compliance, conduct standards, or fare rules;
• we receive serious complaints about your conduct or safety;
• we are required to do so by the NTA or law; or
• you fail to pay the subscription fee (access is lost immediately upon payment failure).

9.2 You may terminate your account at any time by cancelling your subscription. Termination will be effective at the end of the current billing period; no pro‑rata refund is given.

9.3 Upon termination, your right to use the platform ends immediately. Clauses relating to liability, indemnity, and data retention survive termination.

10. Liability and indemnity

In summary: FairTaxi provides a technology and dispatch platform only and is not liable for Rider conduct, your vehicle, the fare transaction, or regulatory action against you; our total liability is capped at the subscription fees you paid in the preceding 12 months; and nothing limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for fraud.

10.1 FairTaxi’s liability. FairTaxi provides a technology platform only. To the fullest extent permitted by law, FairTaxi shall have no liability for:

• any act or omission of a Rider;
• any transaction between you and a Rider, including non‑payment or chargebacks;
• any fines, penalties, or enforcement action by the NTA or other authority arising from your operations;
• loss of business, profits, or data, however caused.

10.2 Nothing in these Terms limits FairTaxi’s liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, or for fraud.

10.3 FairTaxi’s total aggregate liability to you under or in connection with these Terms shall not exceed the total subscription fees paid by you in the 12 months immediately preceding the event giving rise to liability.

10.4 Session‑related losses. Subject to Sections 10.2 and 10.3, FairTaxi is not liable for loss of business, profits, expected earnings, opportunities, offers, bookings, jobs, fares, or ratings arising from a Driver being signed out or unable to receive jobs where the cause is within the Driver’s control, including the Driver’s device, connectivity, battery, permissions, settings, credential sharing, or signing in on another device (see Section 8.8). This exclusion does not apply to the extent the loss is caused by FairTaxi’s breach of these Terms, its negligence, wilful misconduct, platform error, or a security incident for which FairTaxi is legally responsible.

10.5 Your indemnity. You agree to fully indemnify and hold harmless FairTaxi against all claims, losses, damages, expenses (including reasonable legal costs) arising from:

• your provision of transportation services;
• your breach of these Terms;
• your failure to hold valid licences, insurance, or vetting;
• any claim by a Rider or third party relating to a ride you provided;
• any fines or penalties imposed on FairTaxi due to your non‑compliance with law, including the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

11. Insurance

11.1 You must maintain, at your own cost, motor insurance covering public hire and reward with a reputable insurer, in compliance with Irish law. You must upload your current certificate to the platform and keep it updated.

11.2 You must also maintain any other insurance required by law. FairTaxi maintains its own insurance appropriate to its role as a technology and dispatch platform. FairTaxi does not insure you, your vehicle, or your passengers; you are solely responsible for maintaining the cover required by law (see Sections 4.3 and 11.1).

12. Data protection

12.1 Both parties shall comply with data protection law. You process limited personal data of Riders (name, pickup/destination) solely in the course of providing the ride. You must not use Rider personal data for any other purpose and must delete or anonymise any records after they are no longer needed, unless required by law.

12.2 Our full data handling practices are set out in the Privacy Policy.

13. General

13.1 These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Acceptable Use / Community Guidelines, constitute the whole agreement.

13.2 Governing law. Irish law. Exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts.

13.3 No assignment by you without our prior written consent.

13.4 Notices will be sent via the App and/or email.

13.5 Changes to these Terms. FairTaxi may update these Terms from time to time. Where a change is material, we will notify you via the App and/or email in accordance with Section 13.4 before it takes effect. Your continued use of the platform after the effective date of an update constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to an update, you may cancel your subscription under Section 3.6 and stop using the platform.

13.6 These Terms are business-to-business terms between FairTaxi and you as an independent contractor; no consumer cooling-off or right of withdrawal applies.