Even when it does, it is only to a "single place of work"....so going from one workplace to another would not be covered by your single-workplace-commute policy. Basic policies also do not cover you for lift-sharing. Pitfalls are many. Take the quiz. It may interest you: https://www.jmginsurance...iz-motoring-prosecutions

An interesting thread so far. Local authorities tend to be one of the larger employer groups who favour the use of employees’ vehicles in exchange for a small monthly allowance over providing fleet cars. I have a friend who is a social worker, who can travel quite literally the length of the country at very short notice transporting children (often on an emergency basis where the removal of a child from an environment would not allow for planning a journey on public transport). This can obviously also require the fitting of child seats to ensure safety. I was surprised that her role hadn’t brought with it any additional checks other than mine at the time (insurance and MOT), and no training around the fitting of child seats (anybody doing this for the first time can relate to the expletives and trapped fingers that usually accompany the task!). Also the additional stress that having small people in the car can bring was never addressed. I don’t have children so when nieces and nephews are in my car, I do find the shouting and throwing of food/toys/siblings somewhat distracting. This was also at a time when pay cuts were first hitting LA employees, and the essential car user allowances were then being used to pay for parking permits at work rather than vehicle maintenance. I remember a particularly stressful time when her car needed a critical repair (wheel bearing) and she was being pressured to keep using her car in the week leading up to it being booked in the garage due to sheer workload. We put an emphasis on the importance of additional safety controls when transporting flammable goods for example because of the risk to others, but what about when we are placing our customers/clients/service users in those vehicles for which we ‘discharge the risk’ but pile on the pressure?

Local Authorities really leave a lot to be desired in this field. I remember when all essential car users had to go on mandatory driver training - on how to drive more economically! The company running it told me not to bother as I had a 2.5l V6 automatic. I did think that there were some user groups who would have benefited from more safety focussed training (car seat selection and installation being one of them!) Sadlass your comment that LA's naff policies won't be questioned until something bad happens is very sad and very true.