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Truck Drivers — tax deductions you can claim

For employed truck drivers, including interstate and heavy vehicle drivers. Overnight travel expenses are the largest and most commonly claimed category.

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What you can claim

  • Overnight travel expenses

    Meals/accommodation when away from home overnight for work and not fully reimbursed. The ATO publishes reasonable daily amounts you can rely on without full receipts if within the published limits.

  • Licence renewals

    Role-specific licences: HC, MC, and dangerous goods.

  • Protective clothing/PPE

    PPE required for loading, unloading, and driving duties.

  • Compliance logbook/technology

    Technology used to track compliance hours.

  • Sun protection

    Sunscreen/sunglasses for cabin glare where genuinely required.

Commonly missed deductions

People in this occupation often forget to claim these — check they apply to you.

  • Union fees
  • The cost of a UHF radio or GPS unit used for work
  • Laundering of compulsory branded uniform
  • Work-related phone use for dispatch coordination
  • Specific PPE like steel-cap boots for loading/unloading

What you can't claim

  • Ordinary meals on a normal (non-overnight) shift

  • Fines for speeding/overweight loads

  • Home-to-depot travel

  • Private use portion of a personally owned truck

Records the ATO expects

  • DiaryTravel diary for overnight trips (dates, places, activities)

  • ReceiptReceipts if claiming above the ATO's reasonable travel allowance amounts

  • InvoiceLicence renewal invoices

General information only, not tax advice — content last reviewed 01/07/2026 against ATO guidance for FY2025-26. Whether a specific expense is deductible depends on your individual circumstances; confirm with a registered tax agent or the ATO before lodging.

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