Two simple modes
With driver: fuel, toll, parking and driver charges are included in your quoted fare. Self-drive: fuel, toll, parking, state permits and entry fees are paid by you at actuals. Everything below explains both modes in plain language.
1. Who can book
Roam Saathi serves tourists and outstation travellers only. To rent you must be at least 18 years old for chauffeur-driven bookings and 21 years old for self-drive rentals. For self-drive cars you must have held a valid driving licence for at least one year. Scooters and bikes require a valid two-wheeler licence.
We may ask for one government photo ID (Aadhaar, Passport, or Voter ID) in original at the time of delivery, along with your driving licence for self-drive bookings. Copies are noted on the rental sheet and returned after the vehicle comes back in good condition.
2. Booking & confirmation
- 1Send us your dates, destination and vehicle preference on WhatsApp or through the booking form on this website.
- 2We reply with availability and a final quote (including or excluding fuel, depending on the mode you choose).
- 3Your booking is confirmed only after we receive the advance — usually 20–30% of the estimated trip value, paid by UPI.
- 4The balance is payable at pickup (cash / UPI) before the journey starts.
Bookings are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. A date is blocked for you only after the advance is received — an enquiry on WhatsApp alone does not guarantee the vehicle.
3. Fuel, toll & permits — the golden rule
Self-drive bookings
Fuel, toll, parking, state permits and entry fees are NOT included. The vehicle is delivered with a full tank and must be returned with a full tank. Because every route burns a different amount of fuel — the climb to Shillong and Cherrapunji, the long haul to Tawang, or plains driving around Kaziranga — fuel is always billed at actuals, never as a flat rate.
With-driver bookings
You pay one all-inclusive fare: the driver, fuel for the agreed route, tolls and parking are all provided by us. Nothing extra is collected on the road. If you change the route mid-trip, the fare is re-quoted fairly before continuing.
The fuel estimator shown while booking is only an indicative guide calculated from distance, vehicle mileage and current pump prices. Actual consumption depends on traffic, road condition, AC use, passenger load and driving style — treat it as an estimate, not a quote.
4. Security deposit (self-drive)
A refundable security deposit (shown on every vehicle card) is collected at pickup for self-drive rentals. It is returned at drop-off after a joint condition check of the vehicle, provided the fuel level matches and there is no new damage or missing equipment. For with-driver bookings no deposit is normally required, except for long multi-day tours where a small trip advance may apply.
5. Distance limits & extra kilometres
Each vehicle includes a fixed number of kilometres per day (typically 100–200 km depending on the vehicle — see the fleet section). Kilometres driven beyond the included limit are charged at the extra-km rate shown on the vehicle card. For with-driver tours we agree the total route and days in writing on WhatsApp before departure; extra days and extra kilometres are charged as per the same rate card.
6. Usage rules
- •Only the drivers named in the rental agreement may drive a self-drive vehicle.
- •No sub-renting, no racing, no rallies, no off-road abuse beyond the vehicle's design.
- •No smoking, no alcohol consumption and no transport of prohibited goods inside our vehicles.
- •Do not take the vehicle outside Assam & the Northeast without telling us — several states need permits and we must know for support.
- •Pets are allowed only with prior approval and a cleaning fee.
7. Late returns & extensions
Rental days are counted in 24-hour blocks from the pickup time. Need more time? Message us before your slot ends — if the vehicle has no next booking we happily extend at the normal daily rate. Returns more than 3 hours late are charged an extra half-day; more than 6 hours late, a full day. Repeated late returns without intimation may affect future bookings.
8. Damage, accidents & traffic fines
All our vehicles carry valid insurance. For self-drive rentals, the hirer is responsible for any new dents, scratches, glass, tyre or interior damage up to the insurance deductible / a maximum of Rs 50,000, whichever is lower. Damage caused while driving under the influence, racing, or in gross violation of the Motor Vehicles Act is billed in full to the hirer.
All traffic and parking fines incurred during the rental period are payable by the hirer (self-drive) or informed to us immediately (with-driver — the driver handles challans related to vehicle documents, but fines for rider behaviour remain the hirer's responsibility).
9. Breakdowns & support
Every booking includes roadside support on call during your trip. In the rare case of a mechanical failure not caused by misuse, we repair or swap the vehicle at no cost to you. Save our WhatsApp number — it is printed on the rental sheet and on the vehicle windscreen sticker.
10. Cancellation & refunds
- 1Cancel 72 hours or more before pickup: full refund of the advance, or free date change.
- 2Cancel between 24–72 hours: 50% of the advance is retained.
- 3Cancel within 24 hours or no-show: advance is non-refundable.
- 4Mechanical breakdown on our side mid-trip: unused days are refunded or a replacement vehicle is provided, subject to availability.
Refunds are processed to the original UPI / bank account within 3–5 working days.
11. Airport pickup & home delivery
We pick you up right outside LGBI Airport arrivals (Borjhar, Guwahati) at no extra charge — share your flight number and we track delays. Hotel / home delivery anywhere in Guwahati is available for a small fee based on distance. For airport self-drive handovers, the vehicle is handed over at the agreed parking bay with photos of fuel level and condition.
12. Right to refuse
We may refuse or end a rental if the vehicle is being used dangerously, if documents turn out to be false, or if the hirer behaves abusively with our staff or drivers. In such cases the applicable charges till that point stand and the deposit is settled after the condition check.
13. Questions?
Unsure about anything above? Message us on WhatsApp before booking — we would rather explain twice than surprise you once. These policies are part of every rental agreement signed or confirmed on WhatsApp with Roam Saathi.