Drive Sally Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Allegedly Deceptive Business Practices, Hidden Fees

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Drive Sally has been hit with a proposed class action lawsuit that alleges the vehicle rental company misleadingly touts that drivers can rent cars at a fixed, all-inclusive weekly rate while systematically charging more than the advertised price.

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The 70-page false advertising lawsuit claims that although Drive Sally assures consumers, including ride-share drivers, that its vehicle rental prices are “all-inclusive” and include “no hidden fees,” the company misrepresents the costs and terms of its rental services, deliberately withholding key information until a driver has already “practically and financially” committed to a rental agreement.

According to the complaint, Drive Sally intentionally advertises its “Uber-ready” vehicle rentals to “vulnerable” rideshare drivers who rely on continual access to a vehicle for their primary income. Drive Sally further represents that one weekly payment covers the rental, liability insurance, and maintenance, the suit states.

However, the class action lawsuit alleges that Drive Sally does not present drivers with the full terms and conditions of its rental agreements before they commit to a rental, pay a deposit, and make an appointment to pick up the car.

Instead, the complaint charges, Drive Sally provides drivers with an incomplete order form, induces them to execute a rental agreement, and uses “coercive business practices” to extract additional revenue via weekly fees for maintenance, liability insurance, property damage, ancillary insurance coverage, and other miscellaneous charges that are not disclosed or are otherwise improperly applied.

The filing says that drivers have also reported additional undisclosed Drive Sally charges, such as fees for early termination, tolls, tickets, late payment, and vehicle reactivation, among others.

According to the case, after a rental agreement has been executed, Drive Sally will then use “threatening” billing practices, e.g., sending drivers harassing text messages demanding payment of undisclosed fees or rate increases. The suit says that when a driver is unable to pay the excessive, undisclosed fees, Drive Sally will deactivate their vehicle via a remote “kill-switch,” even when a car is actively being driven. 

To make matters worse, the lawsuit continues, Drive Sally, which represents that its vehicles are “meticulously” maintained, often provides drivers with cars that are poorly maintained, unsafe, and unfit to use for ridesharing services such as Uber or Lyft. The complaint relays that drivers have complained that Drive Sally’s vehicles have been equipped with faulty transmissions, inexplicable smells, and more.  

The plaintiff claims to have entered into an agreement with Drive Sally to rent a 2023 Kia Forte for $389 per week, including maintenance and insurance. However, one month into the rental agreement, the suit says, Drive Sally raised its rates and “incessantly” texted the plaintiff to sign the new contract, bringing the woman’s weekly cost to $434.

In one instance, Drive Sally abruptly deactivated the plaintiff’s rental car while she was driving with a passenger in the vehicle, citing non-payment, the complaint states. After payment was received, the suit alleges, Drive Sally unilaterally terminated the plaintiff’s rental agreement the next day without explanation, apparently in violation of its own terms, charged her an additional $400 early termination fee, and did not issue a refund for her initial deposit.

The Drive Sally class action lawsuit looks to cover all individuals in the United States who entered into a rental agreement with Drive Sally.

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