> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.fleetwire.io/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # Require a Signed Agreement Before Payment # ✍️ Require a Signed Agreement Before Payment By default, renters book first and sign your rental agreement afterwards. With **Require a signed agreement before payment** turned on, the order flips: the renter signs first, and only then can they pay and get a confirmed reservation. If they don't sign, nothing is charged and nothing is reserved. --- ## 🎯 Why Require Signing First? * **No unsigned bookings**: Every confirmed online reservation already has a signed agreement on file. * **No chasing signatures**: You're not following up with renters who paid but never signed. * **Clean cancellations**: A renter who won't agree to your terms never pays, so there's nothing to refund. || **Note**: This adds a step before payment, so some renters won't finish. If most of your renters sign without trouble today, the default (sign after booking) may convert better. --- ## ✅ Before You Start You'll need: * The **Standard** or **Premium** plan. See [Fleetwire Pricing Plans Explained](https://help.fleetwire.io/en/article/fleetwire-pricing-plans-explained-1bntv5j/). * A rental agreement template attached to your listings. See [What is Automatic eSign?](https://help.fleetwire.io/en/article/what-is-automatic-e-sign-1o5wfxk/), or [build one in Fleetwire](https://help.fleetwire.io/en/article/build-your-rental-agreement-in-fleetwire-1w9xyzm/) if you don't have a PDF. --- ## 🛠 How to Turn It On ### Step 1: Check Your Listings Have an Agreement The requirement only applies to listings that have an agreement template. 1. Go to [Listings](https://tenant.fleetwire.io/listings/) and select a vehicle. 2. Click the **Settings** tab. 3. Under **Document eSign**, make sure **Use eSign Template** is on, with a template chosen or **Use Branch Default** selected. | **Quick Tip**: A listing with no agreement template is not affected. Renters book it the normal way. ### Step 2: Turn On the Requirement 1. Go to [Settings > Checkout](https://tenant.fleetwire.io/settings/checkout). 2. Find **Before a renter can reserve**. 3. Turn on **Require a signed agreement before payment**. The change applies to new checkouts right away. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/8/5/c/d85c74fa8dfdb000/2026-10-0115-29-59_1cfxjdx.png) ### Step 3: Test It 1. Open your online store and start a booking on a listing that has an agreement. 2. Submit the checkout form. You should land on a page titled **Almost there**, with a countdown showing how long the dates are held. 3. Click **Sign Agreement**, sign, then click **Continue to your reservation**. 4. Click **Complete reservation** and finish the booking. --- ## 👀 What Your Renter Sees 1. They choose dates, enter their details, and submit checkout. **Nothing is charged or reserved yet.** 2. They land on their reservation page, which says **Almost there**. Their dates are held for **30 minutes**. 3. They click **Sign Agreement** and sign. 4. They return to the reservation page and click **Complete reservation**. 5. The booking finishes according to how the listing takes payment: * **Charge now**: they pay, then the reservation is confirmed. * **Pay at pickup**: the reservation is confirmed with no online payment. * **Ask customer**: their choice (pay now or at pickup) applies. * **Require approval**: their signed request is sent to you to approve. See [Listing Payment Collection Mode](https://help.fleetwire.io/en/article/listing-payment-collection-mode-vc1up7/) for how each mode works. --- ## ❓ Good to Know **What if the renter doesn't sign?** No payment is taken and no reservation is created. When the 30-minute hold ends, the dates become available to other renters, and the unsigned agreement is cancelled without any email being sent. **What if they sign but don't finish?** The dates are released when the hold ends, and the signed agreement is voided. Because both of you received a signed copy, you'll both get a notice that it was voided. **What if the hold runs out while they're signing?** They can still complete the booking, as long as nobody else has taken the dates in the meantime. **Can someone else book the same dates during the hold?** No. A second renter who picks those dates is told the vehicle isn't available. **When do I get notified?** You receive the signed agreement by email as soon as the renter signs, which is before they've paid. Your normal new-booking notification arrives once the reservation is confirmed. **Where is the unfinished checkout in my dashboard?** It doesn't appear in **Orders** until the renter has signed and completed it. **Does this apply to orders I create myself?** No. Orders you create in the dashboard are not affected. Send those for signature from the order as usual. **What about secondary drivers?** Only the primary driver's signature is required to complete the booking. Secondary drivers sign afterwards. See [Adding Secondary Drivers](https://help.fleetwire.io/en/article/adding-secondary-drivers-y5meae/). **Does this also require ID or insurance verification first?** Not yet. ID verification and insurance verification still happen after the booking is made. ||| **Warning**: Renters are not emailed a signing link in this flow. They sign on the page they reach after submitting checkout. If a renter says they never received the agreement, ask them to reopen that page. --- ## 🌟 Signed First, Then Booked Every online reservation on your gated listings now comes with a signed agreement before any money changes hands. Run a test booking from your store to see the flow the way your renters will. --- ## 🚀 Next Steps * **Set up your agreement**: [What is Automatic eSign?](https://help.fleetwire.io/en/article/what-is-automatic-e-sign-1o5wfxk/) * **Add fields to your template**: [Setting Up e-Signature Fields](https://help.fleetwire.io/en/article/setting-up-e-signature-fields-q9oeuf/) * **Choose how payment is taken**: [Payment Options at Checkout](https://help.fleetwire.io/en/article/payment-options-at-checkout-q2oa4x/) * **Agreement not showing up?** [Why Isn't My eSign / Rental Agreement Sending?](https://help.fleetwire.io/en/article/why-isnt-my-esign-rental-agreement-sending-1d95xpg/) * **Need help?** Contact us at [hi@fleetwire.io](mailto:hi@fleetwire.io) or via the in-app chat.