A good handover and return comes down to four things: talking to the driver beforehand on the chat, being on time, a joint check with photos in the app at the start and at the end of the rental, and —depending on the country— arranging with the driver how the rental is paid at the handover.
Here's the step by step.
How do I arrange the handover with the driver?
As soon as you accept the booking, message the driver on the app's chat to confirm the time and the meeting point. The location is set in the app, but it's worth resending the pin on the chat or WhatsApp to avoid any confusion.
Good practice for that first conversation:
Confirm the exact time of the handover.
Share clear landmarks for the meeting point (the corner, a nearby shop, the street number).
Resend the location pin on WhatsApp or the app's chat.
Why does being on time matter?
Arrive a few minutes early. If you're running late, let the driver know on the chat. Repeated delays affect your reputation, because drivers mention them in their reviews and that has a direct impact on your host profile.
What do I have to do when handing the car over?
At the handover, go through these steps together with the driver:
A quick joint check of the car: bodywork, interior, tyres and general condition.
Upload the photos in the app: the exterior from every angle, the interior, and the dashboard with the mileage. These photos are the key evidence in any later dispute, so don't skip them.
Explain the car's details to the driver: where the spare wheel is, how the air conditioning works, anything particular about starting it, or any other detail they need in order to drive without trouble.
Arrange the rental payment with the driver, depending on the country (see the next section).
How is the rental paid? Do I collect from the driver, or does TripWip?
It depends on the country of the booking:
In Uruguay and Argentina: the host collects directly from the driver the rental amount that is theirs, at the handover. TripWip, for its part, has already charged the driver for the taxes, the insurance and TripWip's commission when the booking was approved. That same amount is what TripWip uses to compensate you in cases such as a no-show. Payments can be made in cash or via bank transfer or other methods agreed upon between the host and the driver. In addition, the amount you'll receive is shown in the app when you confirm the rental, which ensures transparency in the process. Payments are made in the local currency, simplifying transactions.
In Mexico: you don't charge the driver anything at the handover. TripWip charges the driver the full amount when the booking is approved and then transfers your share to you as the host.
Before the handover, make sure you know which model applies in your country, to avoid misunderstandings with the driver. Linking a bank account in the app is not required to receive payments in the markets where the host collects directly (Uruguay/Argentina), which gives hosts more flexibility.
How do I arrange the return of the car?
Before the booking ends:
Confirm the time and place of the return with the driver on the app's chat.
Do a joint check of the car when you get it back: bodywork, interior, mileage and general condition.
Upload the return photos in the app (exterior, interior, dashboard with the mileage), just as you did at the handover.
If you spot a problem —new damage, something missing, anything out of the ordinary— report it straight away from the app and let the TripWip team know.
Important: You have a maximum of 24 consecutive hours from the rental end time recorded on the platform to submit any claims related to the vehicle's return, such as damage, missing items, cleaning, fuel, or additional charges.
We recommend inspecting the vehicle and reporting any issues as soon as possible to help ensure a smooth resolution.
How do I avoid problems at the handover and the return?
Three habits that keep trouble to a minimum:
Confirm everything on the app's chat a day or two before the rental starts.
Do the joint check and the photos in the app without skipping steps, both at the handover and at the return.
Tell the driver about anything unexpected as soon as you can (delays, a change of meeting point, and so on).
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