Driving for Work: Mythbusters
52 common misconceptions – and the facts employers and drivers need to know
Myth 37: Grey fleet only applies if staff claim mileage
Grey fleet is the term given to employees using their own car for work journeys.
Some employers and drivers believe that a journey is only classed as ‘driving for work’ if the driver is paid for their mileage – this is incorrect.
Grey fleet obligations are triggered by the act of driving a private vehicle for work – not by whether a mileage claim is submitted or paid.
If an employee uses their own car to travel to a client, attend a meeting, or carry out any work task, the employer’s duty of care applies from that moment.
The duty of care exists in law regardless of financial arrangements.
Employers should identify all employees who drive for work and manage the associated risks, regardless of how travel is reimbursed.
Driver takeaway:
Your employer’s duty of care applies to any journey you make for work in your own vehicle, regardless of whether you claim mileage.
If you are driving for a work purpose, you are driving for work and must be correctly insured.
Manager takeaway:
Identify every employee who drives for work, including those who never submit mileage claims. The duty of care is triggered by the work purpose of the journey, not by reimbursement.
Audit regularly, because the grey fleet picture can change as roles and working patterns change.
