Driver Code of Conduct

1. Authority & Applicability

• This Code of Conduct is issued under the authority of Somnath Baste, sole proprietor of Baste Tour and Travel
• It applies to all drivers — whether full-time employees, part-time, or contracted through partner agencies
• Baste Tour and Travel reserves all rights to modify, enforce, and adjudicate this code
• The Proprietor's decision on any disciplinary matter is final and binding
• All drivers must sign a written acknowledgment of this code at the time of onboarding

2. Driver Eligibility Requirements

Before being assigned any ride, every driver must meet ALL of the following requirements:

1. Valid Commercial Driving Licence: Transport licence (yellow badge) issued by any Indian RTO, with LMV-Transport endorsement. Minimum validity of 6 months remaining
2. Minimum Experience: 3 years of professional driving experience with verified references
3. Age: Between 21 and 55 years of age
4. Identity Verification: Aadhaar card, PAN card — verified and linked to our database
5. Police Verification: Clean police verification certificate from the local police station (not older than 6 months)
6. Medical Fitness: Medical fitness certificate from a registered medical practitioner — including vision test, hearing test, and general health assessment
7. Drug & Alcohol Test: Negative results on initial drug and alcohol screening
8. Safety Training: Completion of Baste Tour and Travel mandatory safety & sensitivity training program (8-hour course)
9. Driving Assessment: On-road driving test passed, covering city driving, highway driving, parking, and route knowledge of Pune
10. Address Verification: Verified local address with utility bill or rental agreement

3. Professional Standards

3.1 Appearance & Uniform

• Clean, ironed Baste Tour and Travel uniform shirt must be worn at all times during duty
• Company ID badge must be visibly displayed (clipped to shirt or on lanyard)
• Clean, closed footwear — no sandals or slippers
• Personal hygiene: clean-shaven or well-groomed beard, no strong fragrances
• No sunglasses while interacting with passengers (except medical necessity with proof)

3.2 Punctuality & Reliability

• Arrive at pickup location 5 minutes before scheduled time
• Wait for passenger up to 10 minutes. After that, notify control room
• If unable to report for duty, inform control room at least 4 hours in advance
• Unauthorized absence: First instance — written warning; Second — ₹500 deduction; Third — termination

3.3 Communication

• Polite, respectful language at all times — no abusive, vulgar, or discriminatory language
• Greet passengers: "Good morning/evening, I am [Name] from Baste Tour and Travel"
• Offer to help with luggage
• Confirm destination before starting the ride
• Minimal conversation unless initiated by the passenger
• No personal questions to passengers — especially to women passengers
• Communication with control room to be in professional Marathi, Hindi, or English

4. Driving Rules

• Strictly follow all traffic rules and signals as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
• Observe speed limits: City 50 km/h, Highway 80 km/h, Expressway 100 km/h (or posted limit)
• No rash, negligent, or aggressive driving under any circumstances
• Use indicators for every turn and lane change
• Maintain safe following distance
• Do not use horn unnecessarily or in silent zones
• Headlights on during night driving and poor visibility
• Follow the assigned GPS route — no shortcuts without passenger's explicit consent
• All toll receipts must be collected and submitted

5. Zero Tolerance — Alcohol & Substance Policy

5.1 Alcohol Policy

• Consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited within 12 hours before any assigned duty
• Driving under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offense under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — punishable by imprisonment up to 6 months and/or fine up to ₹10,000 for first offense, and imprisonment up to 2 years and/or fine up to ₹15,000 for repeat offense
• Baste Tour and Travel reserves the right to conduct random breath analyzer tests at any time during duty
• Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) must be 0.00% — any detectable level is a violation
• Consequence of violation: Immediate termination. No notice period. No settlement. FIR filed with police. Blacklisted from future employment with Baste Tour and Travel

5.2 Drug & Substance Abuse Policy

• Use of any narcotic drug, psychotropic substance, or intoxicant is strictly prohibited — on or off duty
• This includes but is not limited to: marijuana/ganja, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, prescription drug misuse, gutka/paan (while on duty)
• Random drug testing may be conducted — refusal to test is treated as a positive result
• Consequence: Immediate termination + FIR under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985

5.3 Smoking/Tobacco Policy

• 🚭 Smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco inside the vehicle is strictly prohibited at all times
• Smoking outside the vehicle during passenger waiting time is also prohibited
• First offense: Written warning + ₹2,000 fine
• Second offense: ₹5,000 fine + 3-day suspension
• Third offense: Termination

6. Misbehavior & Harassment — Termination Offenses

7. Progressive Disciplinary Action

For offenses that do not warrant immediate termination, the following progressive disciplinary process applies:

8. Termination Process

8.1 Immediate Termination (Gross Misconduct)

1. Driver is immediately suspended from duty
2. Vehicle keys, ID badge, and uniform collected
3. Incident report documented with statements from passenger(s), control room, and dashcam footage
4. FIR filed with police where applicable
5. Final settlement processed — minus any fines, damages, or outstanding amounts
6. Driver is permanently blacklisted from Baste Tour and Travel
7. Corporate client and affected passenger(s) informed within 24 hours

8.2 Termination with Notice (Performance Issues)

1. Written notice of 7 days issued with specific reasons
2. Driver given opportunity to respond within 3 days
3. Final decision by Somnath Baste (Proprietor) — decision is final and binding
4. If terminated: vehicle keys, ID badge, uniform returned within 24 hours
5. Full and final settlement within 15 days of termination

9. Driver Rights

While this code is strict, we also protect our drivers' rights:

• Fair Wages: Timely payment as per agreed terms — in compliance with the Payment of Wages Act, 1936
• Rest Hours: No driver shall be required to drive more than 8 hours continuously. Minimum 30-minute break every 4 hours. As per Section 17 of the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961
• Safe Working Conditions: Company provides well-maintained vehicles, proper training, and protective equipment
• Protection from Passenger Abuse: Drivers have the right to report abusive passengers. The company will take action against the passenger
• Grievance Mechanism: Drivers can raise grievances to the Proprietor directly via WhatsApp or in person
• No Discrimination: Drivers shall not be discriminated against based on caste, religion, gender, or community
• Insurance: Personal accident insurance coverage during duty hours
• Due Process: No termination (except gross misconduct) without written notice and opportunity to respond

10. Periodic Review & Retraining

• Driver performance reviewed every 3 months based on: passenger ratings, punctuality, complaints, traffic violations
• Random breathalyzer and vehicle inspection: minimum twice per month
• Mandatory refresher training every 6 months: driving safety, women's safety, first aid, customer service
• Annual police verification renewal
• Annual medical fitness recertification

11. Acknowledgment

By signing the employment/contract agreement with Baste Tour and Travel, every driver acknowledges that:

• They have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Code of Conduct in full
• They understand the consequences of violations, including termination and legal action
• They accept that the Proprietor (Somnath Baste) has final authority on all disciplinary matters
• They consent to GPS tracking, dashcam recording, and random testing during duty hours

Ref: Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 | Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961 | NDPS Act, 1985 | IPC Sections 279, 304A, 323, 354 | Payment of Wages Act, 1936 | POSH Act, 2013 | Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules