Some large businesses operate large vehicle fleets, and they save money. So do smaller ones, even if transportation isn’t its main focus.

According to state law, a fleet is five or more vehicles. But for the dealer and auto repair shops that service them, a business fleet could consist of one car.

“It’s a mechanic-company account,” said Tim McClintock, general manager of LK Auto in Poulsbo “There are no written laws for what we can offer our customers. There are benefits and there are ups and downs. When you have a fleet service it helps out on the (slow times), around holidays usually.”

Fleet accounts are useful for the steady work they bring in. Accordingly, repair shops usually have fleet rates, based on the volume of work or early payments. LK Auto offers a cut of around 10 percent.

“We do fleet work as much as we can because there’s a lot that goes with it,” McClintock said. “You have to stick to your guns as far as setting priorities. If one of our fleet customers comes in, we’ll be sure somebody stops what they’re doing to go and work on their vehicle.”

State law applies if a company wants to take advantage of easier inspection and licensing services. For example, the Department of Licensing has regular and permanent fleet accounts. It’s the regular account that sets the lower limit at five vehicles.

Both allow a company to set one date (Dec. 31) and one tabs renewal process for all vehicles in a fleet. A permanent account is for transportation or delivery companies who have 100 or more vehicles. In this case, the same tabs and registration stays with the vehicles until it is sold.

The state provisions are only available for businesses, not those families who live on wheels.

(Editor’s Note: Temple A. Stark is a free-lance writer living in Port Orchard. Reach him at writer@harbornet.com)

Call the fleet expert
For more details on car fleets call Art Betts at the Department of Licensing, 360-407-0244. Betts is responsible for the Olympic Peninsula, Pierce and Kitsap counties.