Independent Contractor Agreement

1. Nature of Relationship

You ("Driver Partner") are entering into this Agreement with Chauffit as an independent contractor. This Agreement does not create, and shall not be construed to create, any of the following:

• An employment relationship between you and Chauffit.
• An agency, partnership, or joint venture.
• Any entitlement to employee benefits, provident fund, ESI, gratuity, or any statutory employment benefit.

You retain full autonomy over how, when, and where you provide your services, subject to the platform standards described in this Agreement. Chauffit provides a technology platform that facilitates connections between you and customers. It does not direct or control the manner in which you perform your driving services.

Chauffit is classified as an E-commerce Operator (ECO) and a marketplace. It is not a transport aggregator under Section 9(5) of the CGST Act, 2017. The service you provide is classified as a driver service or manpower support, not a passenger transport service.

2. Eligibility and Onboarding

2.1 Eligibility Requirements

To register as a Driver Partner, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Hold a valid Indian driving licence (LMV or relevant category) in good standing.
• Have a minimum of 2 years of active driving experience.
• Pass Chauffit's background verification process (including police verification or equivalent).
• Have a functional smartphone capable of running the Chauffit driver app.
• Provide valid KYC documents: Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, and a bank account in your name.

2.2 Licence Verification

Chauffit will verify your driving licence through the VAHAN portal and other government databases. You represent and warrant that all documents submitted are genuine, current, and belong to you. Submission of false or forged documents is grounds for immediate permanent deactivation and may result in criminal proceedings.

2.3 Onboarding Process

Onboarding includes KYC verification, completion of Chauffit's orientation session, and acceptance of this Agreement. You must complete all onboarding steps before you can accept your first booking.

3. Platform Access and Conduct

3.1 App Access

Upon successful onboarding, you will be granted access to the Chauffit Driver App. This access is personal, non-transferable, and non-exclusive. You must not allow any other person to use your driver account.

3.2 Conduct Standards

While providing services through the Chauffit platform, you agree to:

• Treat all customers with courtesy, professionalism, and respect.
• Drive safely, follow all traffic rules, and comply with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and applicable road regulations.
• Not use mobile phones while driving except via a hands-free device.
• Not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impairs your ability to drive.
• Maintain personal hygiene and arrive in neat, presentable attire for all bookings.
• Not smoke or consume alcohol, tobacco, or any intoxicants during a booking.
• Not make unauthorised stops, detours, or diversions from the agreed route.
• Not carry unauthorised passengers in the customer's vehicle.
• Ensure the customer's vehicle is returned in the same condition as received.

4. Freedom to Accept or Reject

As an independent contractor, you have complete freedom to:

• Log in or log out of the platform at any time.
• Accept or reject any booking request without providing a reason.
• Set your own working hours and availability.
• Work for other platforms or pursue other occupations simultaneously.

Chauffit does not impose minimum hour requirements or mandatory shift obligations. However, Chauffit may monitor acceptance rates and, where a Driver Partner's rejection rate is consistently high without reasonable cause, may adjust their visibility in the matching algorithm. Chauffit does not force or compel acceptance of any booking.

5. Earnings and Payment Structure

5.1 Fare Split

For each completed booking, the fare is split as follows (indicative):

• Driver Partner share: Approximately 60% of the net fare.
• Chauffit commission: Approximately 40% of the net fare (the "platform fee").

The exact split percentage is communicated through the driver app and may be revised by Chauffit with reasonable notice.

5.2 Payment Flow

Customers pay Chauffit (or its payment gateway partner) for each completed ride. Chauffit deducts its commission and transfers the remaining amount to your registered bank account. Chauffit acts as a collection agent and settlement intermediary on your behalf.

5.3 Payment Timelines

Earnings are settled to your registered bank account on a weekly basis (or as notified in the app). Chauffit reserves the right to withhold payment in the event of a pending dispute, fraud investigation, or platform policy violation.

5.4 Incentives

Chauffit may offer performance-based incentives, bonuses, and surge earnings during high-demand periods. These are at Chauffit's sole discretion and do not constitute a guaranteed income.

5.5 No Guaranteed Earnings

Chauffit does not guarantee any minimum earnings, number of bookings, or availability of work. Your actual earnings depend on your availability, location, demand levels, and other market factors.

6. GST and Tax Obligations

6.1 Your Tax Responsibility

As an independent contractor, you are solely responsible for:

• Filing your own income tax returns and paying applicable income tax on your earnings from the platform.
• Determining whether you are required to register for GST based on your annual aggregate turnover.
• Complying with all applicable tax laws, including TDS provisions.

6.2 GST on Driver Services

Driver partners who are unregistered individuals are generally not required to charge or collect GST on their service component. If you are GST-registered, you are responsible for issuing a valid GST invoice and remitting GST to the authorities. Chauffit will deduct TDS as applicable under the Income Tax Act.

6.3 Chauffit's GST

Chauffit charges 18% GST on its own platform commission. This is Chauffit's tax liability and does not affect your driver earnings calculation.

7. Training and Certification

Chauffit may provide or require you to complete:

• Driving behaviour and safety training.
• Customer etiquette and service quality orientation.
• Platform app usage training.

Upon satisfactory completion, you may be designated as a "Chauffit-Certified Driver Partner." This certification reflects service quality standards only. It does not constitute evidence of employment, nor does it establish any right to guaranteed work or continued platform access.

8. Branding and Conduct Standards

You may use standardised profile badges and, where provided, optional Chauffit-branded attire. This is solely for the purpose of service consistency and customer recognition. Use of Chauffit branding does not indicate or imply any employment relationship. You must not:

• Represent yourself as an employee or agent of Chauffit to any third party.
• Use the Chauffit name, logo, or brand in any manner not authorised by Chauffit.

9. Safety and Compliance

• You must hold a valid driving licence at all times while accepting platform bookings.
• You are responsible for your own personal health, accident, and liability insurance. Chauffit does not provide insurance coverage for Driver Partners.
• You must comply with all directions of traffic police, RTO officers, and other authorities at all times.
• Any traffic challans, fines, or legal proceedings arising from your conduct while providing services are your sole responsibility.
• You must report any accidents, incidents, or safety concerns during a booking to Chauffit immediately via the app.

10. Platform Control and Deactivation

10.1 Quality Controls

Chauffit maintains quality standards through:

• Customer ratings and reviews after each completed booking.
• Performance incentives and visibility adjustments.
• Monitoring of complaint and incident reports.

10.2 Suspension and Deactivation

Chauffit may suspend or permanently deactivate your access to the platform for:

• Violation of this Agreement or platform conduct standards.
• Fraudulent activity or submission of false documents.
• Customer complaints of serious misconduct (harassment, theft, driving under influence, etc.).
• Consistent low ratings below the minimum threshold specified in the app.
• Any criminal proceedings or charges against you.

In non-emergency cases, Chauffit will provide reasonable notice before deactivation. Chauffit does not enforce working hours or minimum booking obligations.

11. Liability and Indemnity

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Chauffit and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

• Your provision of services through the platform.
• Your breach of this Agreement.
• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation.
• Any accident, injury, or damage caused by you while providing services.
• Any claim by a customer arising from your conduct during a booking.

Chauffit shall not be liable to you for any loss of earnings, loss of business opportunity, or indirect or consequential loss arising from your use of or inability to access the platform.

12. Data and Privacy

Chauffit collects and processes your personal data (including KYC documents, location data, ride history, and earnings) to operate the platform, verify your identity, process payments, and comply with applicable laws. Your data is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

By registering on the platform, you consent to Chauffit sharing your name, photo, and verified status with customers for the purpose of completing bookings.

13. Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time:

• By you: By ceasing to use the platform and notifying Chauffit at chauffit@gmail.com.
• By Chauffit: By deactivating your account with reasonable notice, except in cases of serious misconduct where immediate termination applies.

Termination does not affect any accrued earnings owed to you for completed bookings prior to the termination date, subject to any outstanding disputes or deductions.

14. Governing Law and Disputes

This Agreement is governed by the laws of India. In the event of any dispute, the parties shall first attempt amicable resolution. Unresolved disputes shall be referred to arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, with the seat of arbitration in Gurugram, Haryana.

Contact: chauffit@gmail.com

This Driver Partner Agreement is based on Chauffit's Phase 1 Legal Framework and is designed to maintain the platform's classification as an E-commerce Operator and to avoid the misclassification of Driver Partners as employees. This document does not constitute legal advice. Both parties are encouraged to seek independent legal counsel before signing.