RENTAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

These terms apply to all vehicles rented from Joy New Zealand Limited, trading as Joy Car Rental, however the booking is made. At pickup the hirer signs a Rental Agreement setting out the vehicle, rental period and charges. These terms form part of that Rental Agreement, and if the two differ, the signed Rental Agreement applies.

Bookings and cancellations

Bookings made directly with Joy Car Rental may be cancelled free of charge more than 48 hours before the pickup time. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before pickup are charged one day of hire. If the vehicle is not collected and the booking was not cancelled (no-show), the full rental charges apply. Bookings made through a third-party booking platform are subject to that platform's payment and cancellation terms; these terms apply to the rental itself.

Drivers

All drivers must be named on the Rental Agreement, be at least 21 years old, and hold a current full driver licence valid for driving in New Zealand. A licence not in English must be accompanied by an approved translation or an International Driving Permit. Additional fees apply to young drivers and to drivers who have held a full licence for less than one year. A vehicle driven by a person not named on the Rental Agreement is not covered by the basic damage liability, and an unauthorised driver fee applies.

Payment and bond

A Visa or Mastercard card, credit or debit, is required at or before pickup. The card must show the Visa or Mastercard logo and have a 16-digit card number, an expiry date and a 3-digit security code (CVV) on the back. Other cards, including American Express, UnionPay, JCB, Diners Club and EFTPOS-only cards, are not accepted. A security bond is held on the card as a pre-authorisation and released after the vehicle is returned and inspected; release times depend on the card issuer. Rental and other charges under the Rental Agreement may be charged to the same card, including charges that arise after the rental ends. A surcharge applies to card payments.

Basic damage liability (excess)

Every rental includes basic damage liability, which limits the hirer's liability for damage to the vehicle to the excess shown in the Rental Agreement for each damage event. This is the rental company's own arrangement and is not insurance. Separate excess amounts apply to glass, tyres, wheels and rims, and to theft, and roof and underbody damage is subject to the basic excess; these are not reduced by optional protection. Towing, recovery, storage, loss of use during repairs and a damage administration fee are charged in addition to the excess.

The excess limits do not apply to damage caused by reckless or unlawful driving, by an unauthorised driver, by a breach of the vehicle use rules, or where the vehicle is not returned. In these cases the hirer is responsible for the full cost.

Hirer's responsibility

The hirer is responsible for the vehicle during the rental period and must return it in the same condition as at pickup, fair wear and tear excepted. The Rental Agreement is between the hirer and Joy Car Rental only; any claim against a third party or the hirer's own insurer is the hirer's responsibility and does not affect what the hirer owes under the Rental Agreement. Smoking, vaping, and eating or drinking in the vehicle are not permitted, and cleaning, refuelling and lost key charges may apply. Joy Car Rental is not responsible for any personal belongings left in the vehicle.

A copy of the Rental Agreement must be kept in the vehicle throughout the rental and produced on demand to an enforcement officer.

Vehicle use

The vehicle may be taken to the North Island by inter-island ferry, and ski field access roads are permitted with snow chains fitted where required. The vehicle must not be driven off-road, including on beaches, riverbeds or unformed roads, driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs, used for towing or racing, sublet, or used to carry passengers for payment.

Pickup and return

Joy Car Rental supplies the vehicle in a safe and roadworthy condition, to current Certificate of Fitness standards. The booking guarantees the vehicle model, not a specific vehicle. The vehicle must be returned to the agreed location at the agreed time with a full tank of fuel. Pickups and returns outside office hours (9am to 5pm) incur an after-hours fee. Extensions must be requested in advance and approved by Joy Car Rental; late returns without approval are charged at the daily rate. Unused days are not refunded for early returns. If the vehicle is not returned and the hirer cannot be contacted, it may be reported to the police and recovered at the hirer's cost.

Breakdowns and accidents

If the vehicle breaks down or is damaged, stop driving when safe and contact Joy Car Rental immediately. Do not arrange repairs without our approval. Roadside assistance is free for mechanical faults not caused by the hirer; other call-outs are charged to the hirer.

Infringements and tolls

The hirer is responsible for all traffic, parking and toll charges incurred during the rental. These may be charged to the card on file or transferred to the hirer with the issuing authority, and a processing fee applies to each.

Privacy

We collect the hirer's personal information to manage the rental, process payments, and handle damage, infringements and tolls. It may be shared with enforcement authorities, repairers, insurers, booking agents and debt collectors where needed for these purposes. To access or correct your information, email rental@joycarrental.co.nz (Privacy Act 2020).

General

These terms are governed by New Zealand law. Nothing in them limits rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or the Fair Trading Act 1986 that cannot be excluded by law.