The phrase "commercial vehicle" sounds simple enough, but you might be surprised to find out that the meaning can actually vary depending on where you are in the world.
In Europe, a car might be classed as a commercial vehicle as soon as it rolls off the production line. This is because the term refers to specific vehicles and their construction, not just what they are used for. This includes vehicles which are designed to carry more than nine people, any goods, or a fuel tank. It does not matter if this transportation will be paid for or not; it’s all about the design.
In the US however, nearly any vehicle could potentially be classified as a commercial vehicle, because the term refers to a vehicle that is tied to a company, whatever its primary purpose. This means that fleet vehicles and company cars are also classified as commercial vehicles. Of course, some vehicles are almost always seen to be commercial vehicles, such as ones that can carry more than 15 passengers, or that weigh over 26,000 pounds.
There are of course all kinds of extra considerations you have to think about for commercial vehicles. Insurance and breakdown cover in particular are often more expensive than with private vehicles, because a higher level of cover is often required. You can go to breakdowndirect.co.uk for fleet breakdown cover. Some of the additional insurance cost can be written off through taxes, which is why company cars are often excellent value.
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