Can I use my commercial vehicle privately?

By Colin Windell

Private use of a commercial vehicle is not a problem providing some simple rules are followed – and we are talking light commercials and some of the panel vans rather than heavy trucks, which are hardly the ideal for popping down to the local supermarket.

Many light commercial vehicles (bakkies) are bought privately and used by sole traders for business purposes as well – and should be insured for business use – so that, in part answers the question.

Where it becomes a little more complex is when the vehicle is a company asset. If it is a company pool vehicle and used by different drivers, the norm is for that vehicle to be locked up at the company premises overnight or when not out on company business.

It would be unusual for such a vehicle to be used by any employee for private purposes and if so, could adversely affect the insurance on the vehicle.

Vehicles provided as company cars are different in that it is expected the user will travel to and from work in the unit as well as on company business. It follows then, it is available to that person for private use outside of business hours.

For car allowance recipients, ownership of the vehicle actually vests in them, so there is no problem at all.