Personal-Use Fees Move Higher in Fleet Policies

Personal use is still common

Automotive Fleet's 2026 personal-use survey found that company vehicles remain a meaningful employee benefit, even as fleets tighten rules around cost and eligibility.

The survey found 79% of responding fleets allow personal use of company vehicles, up from 72% in 2024 but still below the 87% reported in 2013. The 2026 survey included 71 respondents, compared with 103 in 2024.

More fleets are charging for the privilege

Among respondents who answered the charge question, 54% said they assess a personal-use fee, up from 48% in 2024. For fleets that charge, the fee is also moving higher: 61% reported monthly charges of $130 or more, compared with 49% in 2024.

The largest reported charge band was $130 to $150 per month, selected by 36% of charging fleets. Another 14% charged $151 to $180, while 8% charged $201 or more.

Policy details are getting sharper

The survey also shows fleets refining who can drive and what checks are required. 42% permit an employee's spouse to drive the company vehicle, and 87% require a motor vehicle record check for authorized drivers other than the employee.

For fleet managers, the takeaway is that personal-use policy is becoming a cost-control and risk-control document, not just a benefits note. The right answer depends on job function, annual business mileage, tax treatment, safety exposure and how consistently the policy can be administered.