Driver Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

These Driver Terms and Conditions ("Driver Terms") are issued by BidWise Limited T/A SoundMove ("SoundMove") and supplement the general Terms & Conditions and govern your use of the SoundMove platform as a Driver. By registering as a Driver, you agree to these Driver Terms in addition to our general Terms.

2. Driver Registration

2.1 Eligibility Requirements

To become a Driver on SoundMove, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Hold a valid New Zealand driver's licence (Full licence required)
• Have access to a roadworthy vehicle
• Maintain valid vehicle registration and Warrant of Fitness
• Hold the insurance and licences set out in clause 9.1
• Complete SoundMove's identity verification
• Have legal right to work in New Zealand

2.2 Verification

SoundMove verifies every Driver's identity before they can bid on jobs. You must hold a valid New Zealand driver's licence and appropriate vehicle insurance, and keep these current for as long as you drive on the platform. You cannot bid on jobs until your account is verified. You win a job when the Customer accepts your bid.

3. Independent Contractor Status

You acknowledge and agree that:

• You are an independent contractor, not an employee of SoundMove
• SoundMove does not control how, when, or where you provide services
• You are responsible for your own taxes, ACC levies, and any other obligations
• You are not entitled to employee benefits from SoundMove
• You may provide services on other platforms

4. Bidding and Winning Jobs

4.1 Bidding

• You may browse and bid on any available job
• Bids should be realistic and account for all costs
• Once submitted, bids cannot be modified (you may withdraw and rebid)
• You are not obligated to bid on any job

4.2 When Your Bid Is Accepted

• When a Customer accepts your bid, a contract of carriage is formed between you and the Customer for the purposes of the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017. You are the contracting carrier under that contract. Unless your bid states otherwise, the goods are carried at limited carrier's risk under that Act. SoundMove is not a carrier and is not a party to the contract of carriage.
• You must complete every job on which the Customer has accepted your bid. Clause 7.1 sets out what happens if you cancel
• Contact the Customer promptly to confirm details

5. Service Standards

As a Driver, you agree to:

• Arrive at pickup and delivery times as agreed
• Handle all items with reasonable care
• Use appropriate equipment and tie-downs for transport
• Communicate proactively about any delays or issues
• Present yourself professionally and courteously
• Follow all traffic laws and safety regulations
• Not transport prohibited items under any circumstances
• Maintain cleanliness and presentation of your vehicle

6. Payments and Commission

6.1 Commission Structure

SoundMove charges a 15% commission on all completed jobs. This is calculated on the total job value (your bid amount) and deducted automatically before payment.

6.2 Payment Timing

• Payment is released once the job is completed: when the Customer confirms delivery or, if the Customer has not raised an issue, automatically 24 hours after you mark the job as done
• Payments are made to your nominated bank account
• The time it takes for a released payment to reach your bank account depends on our payment provider's payout schedule and your bank

6.3 Payment Holds

SoundMove may withhold payment in the following circumstances:

• Pending investigation of a dispute or complaint
• Suspected fraud or Terms violation
• Customer has reported damage or non-delivery
• Verification issues with your account

7. Cancellations

7.1 Driver-Initiated Cancellations

While we understand emergencies happen, frequent cancellations damage the community and your reputation. If you cancel a booked job:

• The Customer is refunded in full, including the payment processing fee
• The job is relisted for other Drivers to bid on, and you cannot bid on it again
• If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start of the delivery date (midnight at the beginning of that day), on that date or after it, a late cancellation fee equal to the commission on that job is charged and deducted from your future payouts. If the delivery date has been changed, the earlier of the original and the changed date applies
• The cancellation is recorded on your account and SoundMove is notified
• SoundMove may suspend your account for excessive cancellations (see clause 10)

7.2 Acceptable Cancellation Reasons

• Vehicle breakdown (with evidence)
• Medical emergency
• Customer no-show after reasonable waiting period
• Items significantly different from description
• Unsafe conditions or prohibited items

8. Ratings and Performance

8.1 Rating System

After each job, Customers rate Drivers on a 1-5 star scale. Your overall rating is the average of all the ratings Customers have given you.

8.2 Minimum Standards

SoundMove may suspend a Driver whose ratings or customer complaints show a pattern of poor service.

9. Insurance and Liability

9.1 Required Insurance

You must hold and keep current: vehicle insurance covering commercial use, goods in transit insurance covering the goods you carry for Customers, and, where any vehicle you use has a gross vehicle mass of 6,000 kg or more, a goods service licence. SoundMove may ask for evidence of any of these at any time. Standard personal vehicle insurance is not sufficient. Check with your insurer.

9.2 Your Liability

You are liable for any damage caused by your negligence or failure to follow proper handling procedures. You may be required to contribute to claims where you are at fault.

10. Account Suspension and Termination

SoundMove may suspend or terminate your Driver account for:

• Violation of these Driver Terms or general Terms
• A pattern of poor service (see clause 8.2)
• Excessive cancellations
• Fraud or dishonest behaviour
• Expired licence, registration, WOF, or insurance
• Criminal conviction relevant to the role
• Harassment or abuse of Customers or staff

You may appeal a suspension by contacting support@soundmove.co.nz within 14 days.