---
document_id: vehicle-return-procedure
title: Vehicle return procedure
version: "2.0"
effective_date: 2026-07-01
department: Rental Operations
status: active
---
# Vehicle return procedure

## 1. Register the return

Open the active booking and record the ending odometer, fuel level, cleanliness, visible damage, technical warnings and relevant notes.

## 2. Validate the reading

A submitted odometer below the previous canonical reading must never replace the canonical value. Register the inspection, create a data-quality issue and request human review.

## 3. Determine next state

Damage or a technical warning requires a blocked state. A reached service threshold requires maintenance. Otherwise the vehicle moves to cleaning before it can become available.

## 4. Follow-up

The return automation may create a cleaning or maintenance follow-up, but Fleet Ops remains the source of truth for the vehicle state.