# Due diligence on a transport vendor: the checks before you sign

- URL: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/corporate-transport-guides/transport-vendor-due-diligence.html
- Page title: Transport Vendor Due Diligence: What to Check
- Summary: Due diligence on a transport vendor in Gujarat: registration, vehicle papers, drivers, insurance, GPS, backup, data handling, references and a site visit.
- Published: 2026-10-31
- Last updated: 2026-10-31

Buying Corporate transport guide

A transport vendor will carry your employees every day, so the checks before signing deserve more than a price comparison. This guide gives purchase, admin and compliance teams a practical due-diligence list: the company, the vehicles, the drivers, operations, data and references, with what to ask for and what a good answer looks like.

- Purchase and procurement
- Compliance
- Admin managers
- HR heads
- By [Vaibhaviba Bhavsinh Solanki](https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/author/vaibhaviba-bhavsinh-solanki.html)
- Updated 31 October 2026
- 7 min read

Executive summary

- Six areas: the company, vehicles, drivers, operations, data handling and references.
- Ask for documents, then look: inspect vehicles and ride a route.
- Test the bad day: ask how a breakdown at 5 AM is handled, then check it in the pilot.
- Write the answers into the contract so they stay true after signing.

We name no clients without their approval; references are arranged where a client agrees.

- 8+ yrs in business, since 2018
- GST and MSME registered
- 24/7 all shifts, one number
- 4.9 rated on Google

This guide is for companies buying transport. Car owners: we run our own fleet and are not adding cars from owners at the moment ([why](https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/cars-and-fleet/attach-your-car/)).

Quick answer

Due diligence on a transport vendor means checking six things before signing: the company (GST and MSME registration, office, years in business), the vehicles (RC, insurance, permit, fitness, PUC), the drivers (commercial licence checks, conduct), operations (backup plan, GPS, reporting), data handling (NDA, who sees employee details) and references or a pilot.

Chapter 01

## What should you check about the vendor as a company?

Registration, a real office, years in business, invoicing ability and who you will deal with.

Company checks.

| Check | Ask for | Our answer |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | GST and MSME details | GST and MSME registered; details shared at vendor registration |
| Office | Address you can visit | Head office: Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Branch: Hansalpur Circle, Becharaji |
| Track record | Years in business | Since 2018, 8+ years |
| Invoicing | Sample invoice | GST invoice; monthly, split by plant, department or cost centre |
| Payment terms | How they bill | Bank transfer; monthly invoice and a credit period agreed per company for approved accounts |
| Contact | Who handles your account | One named coordinator for large accounts; one number 24/7 |

Chapter 02

## What should you check about the vehicles?

Valid papers for each vehicle on your routes, safety equipment, condition and whether the vendor owns or controls them.

- Papers per vehicle: RC, insurance, commercial permit, fitness and PUC. Ours are kept valid, shown on request, and we tell you before a document is due for renewal.
- Safety equipment: fire extinguisher, working seat belts, spare tyre with jack and tools.
- Condition: every car is air-conditioned and serviced on a regular schedule; ask to inspect the vehicles before signing.
- Control: we run our own fleet, from sedans to Tempo Travellers and buses; outside cars are attached only rarely and only commercial ones.
- Tracking: GPS on every vehicle.

Chapter 03

## What should you check about the drivers?

Licence checks, briefing, conduct rules, rest, and what happens after a complaint.

Ask the vendor to describe, in writing, what happens before a driver first drives for you and what happens after a complaint. For us: each driver's commercial driving licence is checked before they drive for us; drivers are briefed on customer service and safe driving before company routes; they rest between duties and a tired driver is replaced; punctuality and complaints are reviewed and a driver with a serious complaint is taken off that company's route. On company routes drivers wear a uniform and carry an ID card.

Whatever a vendor says about its drivers, ask what exactly was checked, by whom and when.

Chapter 04

## What should you check about operations and data?

The backup plan, dispatch, reporting, escalation and who sees employee details.

- Backup: for a plant shift, our backup car typically arrives within about an hour; the plan is agreed per location.
- Reporting: portal login for live location and trip history, a daily trip report by email, trip-wise records in Excel or PDF on request.
- Escalation: who calls whom when a trip is delayed. We call or WhatsApp your coordinator as soon as it happens.
- Data: employee names, numbers and addresses seen only by the office team and the driver on that route; never shared or sold; we sign your NDA.
- Audits: vendor audits allowed after signing.

Chapter 05

## How should the due-diligence process run?

Questionnaire, documents, site visit, route ride, reference or pilot, then a contract that records the answers.

- Send a questionnaire. Use the six areas in this guide.
- Collect documents. Registration, sample vehicle papers, insurance, safety policy, sample reports.
- Visit and inspect. The office and a sample of vehicles.
- Ride a route. Preferably early morning or a late drop.
- Reference or pilot. A reference where a client agrees, or a pilot route for a trial period.
- Record it in the contract. Backup, reporting, data and audit rights in writing, with an SLA if you need one.

### Red flags to watch for

- No office you can visit.
- Papers promised "later".
- Vague answers about backup at night.
- Claims of client names without proof of approval.
- A price far below others with no explanation of what is excluded.

Key terms

## Due-diligence terms

- **Vendor registration:** Adding a supplier to the company's approved list, usually with GST, PAN and bank details.
- **RC:** Registration certificate of a vehicle.
- **Commercial permit:** The permit a vehicle needs to carry passengers for hire.
- **NDA:** Non-disclosure agreement covering employee and company information.
- **Site visit:** A visit to the vendor's office, garage or vehicles before signing.
- **Vendor audit:** A later check by the company of the vendor's records and practices.

In Gujarat

## Where we run company transport in Gujarat

Shiv Shakti Tours & Travels runs employee and executive transport from a head office in Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad and a branch at Hansalpur Circle, Becharaji, next to the SMG (Maruti Suzuki) plant, with some cars and drivers based near Sanand and in Vadodara.

- Becharaji and the SMG plant area Plant gates and vendor units; our branch is at Hansalpur Circle Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/becharaji-plants/
- Sanand GIDC Industrial estates in Sanand; cars and drivers based nearby Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/sanand-gidc/
- Vithalapur and Mandal Units in the Vithalapur industrial area Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/vithalapur-industrial-area/
- Changodar Shift transport for units along the Changodar belt Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/shift-transport/monthly-shift-transport-in-changodar/
- Ahmedabad Offices, airport accounts and staff pickups Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/corporate/ahmedabad-corporate-taxi-service.html
- Gandhinagar and GIFT City Office shifts and government movements Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/shift-transport/monthly-shift-transport-in-gandhinagar-and-gift-city/
- Vadodara Some cars and drivers based in Vadodara Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/shift-transport/monthly-shift-transport-in-vadodara/
- Mehsana and Kadi Staff pickup towns for North Gujarat plants Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/shift-transport/staff-pickups-from-mehsana/
- Viramgam and Bavla Staff pickup towns between Ahmedabad and the plants Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/shift-transport/staff-pickups-from-viramgam/

Short answers

## Short answers from this guide

- What should due diligence on a transport vendor cover? Company, vehicles, drivers, operations, data and references. Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/transport-decisions/transport-vendor-due-diligence-checklist/
- Which documents should a transport vendor give? Registration, profile, bank details, vehicle papers, policies, sample reports. Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/transport-decisions/documents-a-transport-vendor-should-give/
- What are the red flags in a transport vendor? No office, missing papers, vague backup, unproven claims, hidden exclusions. Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/transport-decisions/red-flags-in-a-transport-vendor/
- How do you check a transport vendor's drivers? Ask in writing what is checked, by whom and when. Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/transport-decisions/check-a-transport-vendors-drivers/
- Should we visit a transport vendor before signing? Yes: office, vehicles, a route ride and the log. Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/transport-decisions/visit-a-transport-vendor-before-signing/
- All 100 corporate transport answers One page per question, in the Knowledge Hub Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/transport-decisions/

Questions

## Due-diligence questions

**What documents do you give for vendor registration?**

GST and MSME registration details, company profile, bank details and sample vehicle papers, plus a proposal. Send us your vendor form.

**Can we inspect your vehicles before signing?**

Yes. Companies may inspect the fleet before signing and audit us later.

**Can you give client references?**

We name no company as a client without its approval. References are arranged where a client agrees, or you can run a pilot route.

**Do you sign NDAs?**

Yes. We sign the company's NDA or confidentiality clause.

**Do you respond to tenders and RFPs?**

Yes. Send the tender or RFP and we respond with our documents and a proposal.

**Do you own your vehicles?**

We run our own fleet; outside cars are attached only rarely, commercial cars only.

**How do you check drivers?**

Each driver's commercial licence is checked before they drive for us; drivers are briefed on customer service and safe driving.

**Can we see a sample report?**

Yes. Ask for a sample daily trip report and monthly summary.

Next step

## Ask for a proposal

Tell us the company, the location and what you need to move. We reply with our vendor documents and a proposal; nothing is sent until you press a button.

Your enquiry

Transport enquiry from a company.

Send by email

Car owners: we run our own fleet and are not adding cars from owners at the moment.

Keep reading

## Related guides and vendor files

- A scorecard for your transport vendor Eight measures to review every month Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/corporate-transport-guides/transport-vendor-scorecard-kpis.html
- Duty of care in employee transport What a company owes employees on the way to work Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/corporate-transport-guides/duty-of-care-in-employee-transport.html
- The first 90 days with a new vendor From pilot route to steady service Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/corporate-transport-guides/first-90-days-with-a-transport-vendor.html
- How to make us your transport vendor Registration steps Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/corporate/how-to-make-us-your-transport-vendor.html
- Transport vendor files 20 files: requirements, contract steps, reporting Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/transport-vendor/
- All corporate transport guides 20 decision guides for HR, admin and purchase Link: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/corporate-transport-guides/

Sources

## Where the facts come from

- Owner-confirmed company facts (9 October 2026 questionnaires): licence checks, valid RC, insurance, permit, fitness and PUC shown on request, backup car typically within about an hour for a plant shift, GPS portal login, daily trip report, SLA and NDA on request, vendor audits, invoices split by cost centre, utilisation reports on request.
- Owner-confirmed 29 October 2026: outside cars attached only rarely, commercial cars only.
- [Terms and conditions](https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/terms-and-conditions.html): published per-km rates, minimum fares, night charge and waiting terms.

Cite this guide: Vaibhaviba Bhavsinh Solanki, "Transport Vendor Due Diligence: What to Check", Shiv Shakti Tours & Travels, updated 31 October 2026, https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/corporate-transport-guides/transport-vendor-due-diligence.html

SST

Written by [Vaibhaviba Bhavsinh Solanki](https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/author/vaibhaviba-bhavsinh-solanki.html), owner of Shiv Shakti Tours & Travels: GST and MSME registered, 8+ years in business (since 2018), with a head office in Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad and a branch at Hansalpur Circle, Becharaji. We name no company as a client without its written approval. Facts last checked 31 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? [Tell us](https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/contact.html).

Company desk

## Running due diligence on transport vendors?

Send your vendor questionnaire or registration form. We return it with our documents and a proposal.

Shiv Shakti Tours & Travels · Head office: B-50, First Floor, Jay Bhanu Society, Gate No. 2, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad 380061 · Branch: Hansalpur Circle, Becharaji, Gujarat 384210 · contact@shivshaktitoursandtravels.in · Open 24/7


## Contact

- Book or ask: call or WhatsApp +91 99745 30788 (24/7), contact@shivshaktitoursandtravels.in
- Branch: Hansalpur Circle, Becharaji, Near SMG (Maruti Suzuki) Plant, Gujarat 384210
- Head office: B-50, First Floor, Jay Bhanu Society, Gate No. 2, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380061
- Fares are indicative and confirmed on call; tolls, parking, state tax and the 20% night charge (10 PM to 6 AM) are extra.
