Trip extensions

Need more time with your Drive mate booking? Guests can request an extension directly through the Drive mate platform, subject to car availability and Host approval requirements.

To avoid disruptions, insurance gaps, and late return fees, Guests should submit extension requests as soon as they become aware that additional time may be required.

Important reminder:

Trip extensions, modifications, and cancellations must be completed by the Guest through the Drive mate platform.

Drive mate Support team can only explain the process and provide guidance, but cannot modify, extend, shorten, create, or cancel bookings on a guest's behalf. If you require additional time with the car, please advise the car owner and submit an extension request before your scheduled drop-off time whenever possible.

How to request an extension

Open the Drive mate app
Go to My Trips
Select your active booking
Tap Extend Trip
Choose your new drop-off time
Submit the request

Once submitted, the request will either be approved automatically or sent to the Host for approval, depending on the booking type.

Approval requirements:

Booking Type	Approval Required?
Instant Booking	No, provided the car is available
Non-instant booking	Yes, Host approval is required

An extension is not confirmed until all required approvals have been received.

Extension rules

Only the drop-off time can be changed after a trip has started.
Extensions are subject to car availability.
An extension may be declined if the car has another booking, calendar block, or other scheduling restriction.
Guests should submit extension requests before the original drop-off time whenever possible.
Continued use of the car after the booking end time without an approved extension may result in late return charges.

Extending beyond the original drop-off date and time

If you need to keep the car beyond the original drop-off date shown on your booking, you may be required to create a new booking request. This helps ensure the car remains covered under an active Drive mate booking and maintains continuous insurance coverage.

Any new booking remains subject to the Host's availability and approval requirements.

Gap Hours

If there is a period between the end of the original booking and the start of a newly created booking, any use of the car during that period will be considered gap hours.

Gap hours are outside an active booking period and may be reviewed by the Resolutions Team. Additional charges may apply where appropriate.

If you think you will be late, here's a guide for you:

Drive mate understands that unexpected delays can occur due to traffic, road incidents, weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances. To provide flexibility, Guests receive a 15-minute grace period after the scheduled drop-off time.

However, the grace period should not be relied upon as an extension of the booking. If you believe you may be delayed, you should request an extension before the scheduled drop-off time whenever possible. If a car is returned after the grace period without an approved extension:

Late return charges may apply.
Additional inconvenience and processing fees may be charged.
Additional fees may apply if another Guest's booking is impacted.
Any continued use of a car without an active Drive mate booking in place may be considered an uninsured usage period and may be escalated to Drive mate's Claims and Security Team for investigation, recovery actions, and the application of any applicable fees.

For a full breakdown of late return charges, escalation procedures, and non-return policies, please refer to our Late Returns: What It Means for Hosts and Guests article.