Displaying business advertisements on your personal car may seem a smart thing to do to boost the brand awareness of your business and generate traffic. However, it is important to check if the federal, state, municipal, and other laws allow you do so.
Benefits of Advertising on Your Car
More exposure: The main benefit of using car advertising is that it enables you to reach out to a broader audience compared to a billboard, which is static. According to OOH Today, truck advertisements can potentially reach out to up to 70,000 people on average every single day.
Cost-effective: Advertising on vehicles is cost-effective and affordable. Depending on the size of the vehicle and your advertising requirement, you can fix stickers, decals, or magnetic signs on the car. You can even go in for a full vinyl body wrap if you have a delivery or service van. You can order the exact quantity you want, so there is no wastage. You do not have to incur any extra cost for the space because the vehicle is in use anyway.
Tax benefits: You can claim a tax deduction on the expense of advertising on the vehicle just like you claim the running expenses of the vehicle.
Legal Compliances Necessary for Advertising on Vehicles
Commercial registration of the vehicle: There is no problem if you intend to use a commercially-registered vehicle to display advertisements. However, if you want to use your personal car, many states will require you to re-register it as a commercial vehicle. You will need to pay additional taxes and also get appropriate insurance coverage. If you get caught driving an improperly registered vehicle, you will likely get a ticket and a steep fine. Be sure to check your state and local laws before you display advertising car signs, stickers, or decals on your personal car.
Window visibility requirements: Displaying decals or magnetic advertising signs on the metal or plastic surfaces of your vehicle will not be an issue; however, decals on glass windows and vehicle wraps can potentially cover the windows. Many state and local laws do not permit owners to cover windows due to restricted visibility, which is why you must check before ordering the prints or signs. You must be careful not to run afoul of rules regulating window tints and other things affecting the driver’s ability to see through the glass.
Neighborhood restrictions: Even if you own the property, many neighborhoods and homeowner associations regulate the kind of vehicles allowed to be parked in your driveway or front of the house. In case, the regulations prohibit the parking of cars carrying commercial advertisements, you will need to use magnetic advertising signs that you can detach before parking.
Conclusion
As attractive as the prospect of advertising on vehicles is, you must not jump in without considering all the issues. If you live in a state with laws prohibiting advertising on personal vehicles, you should instead use commercially-registered vehicles. It will also help you avoid trouble with the IRS regarding the abuse of tax deductions.
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