by FM Sherman

Created on: December 28, 2010

Driving a company car is a privilege and a benefit, but it's also something that can backfire (figuratively) and cause you a lot of problems.  Any driver of any car should always be careful, safe and courteous, but when driving a company car, extra care and attention is needed.  Problems and issues may cost money or value when they happen to your personal vehicle, they can cost your job or career when it happens to your company car.

First, a real easy way to think about it, is always drive like your company name and your boss's direct phone number are both written on the car.  With that in mind, anything negative you do, will get back to your boss.  Never try to get away with things.  Be safe, be responsible, keep your job.  Some companies pay services to track and report drives, we have all seen those stickers with a car number and a toll-free phone number to call to report any bad driving.  This works.  People really call to report bad driving, and companies fire drivers who are reported repeatedly.

Always drive safely and carefully.  Always yield the right of way to other drivers and extend courtesy to others.  Drive carefully, imagine your mother is sitting in the back seat.  A trick professional chauffers use is to pretend there's an egg under the gas and brake pedals, to ensure gentle starts and stops.  This helps minimize wear on the vehicle as well.  You don't want to have problems with your company car due to premature wear and tear.

Another important etiquette tip for driving your company car, is to drive defensively, not aggressively.  Drive as if there is always a cop behind you.  Use your turn signals and don't take risks or chances.  Don't take any actions that could lead to a traffic ticket.  Some companies will suspend or terminate company car drivers who get tickets.

Never smoke in the car, and never drive after consuming alcohol.  Do not do any illegal activities.

Also keep in mind most new model cars feature black box technology that insurance companies and other entities can access.  This includes data on your driving habits and details.  This can be used after an accident to show your speed, whether lights or signals were used, whether the brakes were applied and other details.  This data can also include speeds traveled and even GPS locations.  So your company may know more than you think, so always keep etiquette in mind when driving your company car.

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