Terms of Service

1. Introduction & Acceptance

Welcome to AutoPaddy (“Platform”, “we”, “us”, “our”). By accessing or using this Platform, you (“User”) agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”) in accordance with the Electronic Transactions Act of Nigeria (2011) and applicable Nigerian law. If you do not agree, you must immediately discontinue use of the Platform.

These Terms form a legally binding contract between you and AutoPaddy NG. Your continued use of the Platform after any modification to these Terms constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Nature of the Platform

AutoPaddy is a marketplace platform that connects vehicle owners with independent renewal agents who facilitate the renewal of vehicle documents at government offices (including FRSC, LASDRI, and other regulatory bodies). AutoPaddy is not a government agency, is not affiliated with any government body, and does not itself perform any renewal services.

Agents on the Platform are independent contractors, not employees or agents of AutoPaddy. AutoPaddy does not guarantee the accuracy of government processing timelines, fees, or outcomes.

3. Escrow & Payment Terms

• All payments are processed through Paystack, a CBN-licensed payment service provider. By making a payment, you agree to Paystack's terms of service.
• Your payment is held in escrow by AutoPaddy until you confirm receipt of your renewed documents, or until the automatic release period expires.
• If you do not confirm receipt within 48 hours of the job being marked complete, your payment will be automatically released to the agent.
• A platform service fee is charged on each transaction. The exact fee is disclosed to you at the time of booking before any payment is collected.
• AutoPaddy's commission is deducted from the total amount before funds are released to the agent.

4. Dispute Resolution

• If you believe the completed document is incorrect or incomplete, you may file a dispute within 48 hours of the job being marked complete and before confirming receipt.
• AutoPaddy will review the dispute and issue a decision within 2 business days.
• For disputes involving amounts under ₦500,000, AutoPaddy's decision is final and binding.
• For disputes involving amounts of ₦500,000 or above, either party may escalate to arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, Cap A18, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
• Filing a fraudulent dispute is a material breach of these Terms and may result in account suspension and legal action.

5. Cancellation Policy

• Users receive 3 free cancellations per calendar month on jobs with “Requested” status (before an agent accepts).
• After 3 free cancellations in a month, a 5% cancellation fee applies. The remaining 95% of the escrowed amount is refunded to your AutoPaddy wallet.
• Once a job has been Accepted by an agent, it cannot be cancelled by the user. Contact support if you have an urgent issue.
• Refunds are credited to your AutoPaddy wallet and can be used for future renewals or withdrawn subject to platform withdrawal terms.

6. Government Delays

AutoPaddy and its agents are not liable for delays caused by government office outages, system downtime (including FRSC portals, LASDRI systems), public holidays, industrial action, or other circumstances beyond the agent's reasonable control.

During a government delay, your payment remains safely held in escrow. You will be notified when the agent reports a delay and again when processing resumes. The 48-hour auto-release timer is paused for jobs in “Government Delay” status.

7. Agent Obligations

Agents on the Platform agree to:

• Be Nigerian residents with a valid government-issued ID.
• Hold any required licences or registrations for the services they offer.
• Complete accepted jobs within 7 calendar days unless a government delay is reported.
• Upload only genuine, accurate completed documents.
• Agents found to have committed fraud (uploading fake documents, collecting payments outside the platform, etc.) will face permanent account termination, forfeiture of wallet balance, and referral to the appropriate Nigerian authorities.

8. User Obligations

Users on the Platform agree to:

• Provide accurate vehicle and personal information when requesting a renewal.
• Not file fraudulent disputes or attempt to obtain services without proper payment.
• Use the Platform only for lawful purposes in accordance with Nigerian law.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Nigerian law, AutoPaddy's total liability to you for any claim arising out of or related to a specific renewal job shall not exceed the amount you paid for that specific job. AutoPaddy shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, special, or punitive damages.

10. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Any dispute not resolved by arbitration shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Lagos State, Nigeria.

11. Amendments

AutoPaddy reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of material changes by email to your registered address at least 14 days before the changes take effect. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

12. Contact

For legal enquiries regarding these Terms, contact us at legal@autopaddy.com.