Mastering Equipment and Vehicle Logbooks for Tradies

For many tradies, your ute or van is your mobile office. If you use it for both work and personal trips, tracking your usage is the only way to prove your claims to the tax office.

Why accurate logs matter

If you try to claim vehicle expenses without a logbook, you are likely limited to a lower 'cents per kilometer' rate. A proper logbook allows you to claim the actual percentage of work-related use, which is often much higher for heavy equipment and trade vehicles.

• The make, model, and registration of your vehicle.
• The odometer reading at the start and end of the logbook period.
• The date and purpose of every single work-related trip.
• The total kilometers traveled for the year.

1. Pick a representative 12-week period where your work habits are typical.
2. Record every trip for those 12 weeks, including site visits and supply runs.
3. Keep receipts for fuel, insurance, and repairs during this time.
4. Calculate your business use percentage at the end of the period.