Digital Logbook Guide

What Is the Logbook Method?

The logbook method lets you claim the actual expenses of running a vehicle (fuel, insurance, registration, depreciation, interest on finance) multiplied by your business-use percentage. To determine that percentage, you keep a logbook for a continuous 12-week period.

The alternative — the cents-per-kilometre method — caps claims at 5,000 km × 88 cents = $4,400. For a financed truck or ute doing 40,000+ km per year with $20,000+ in running costs, the logbook method typically delivers a far larger deduction.

ATO Logbook Rules

• Must cover a continuous 12-week period that is representative of your typical driving
• Must record every trip — business and personal — for the full 12 weeks
• Each entry must include: date, odometer start/end, kilometres driven, purpose of trip, business or personal
• A valid logbook lasts 5 years, unless your usage pattern changes significantly
• The ATO accepts digital logbooks (apps) provided they record the required data
• You must also keep records of all vehicle expenses for the year you're claiming

Digital Logbook Apps Compared

Driversnote — Best for Most Users

Driversnote is the most popular digital logbook app in Australia. It uses your phone's GPS to automatically detect when you're driving and log the trip:

• Auto-detect — starts logging when it detects vehicle motion, stops when you park
• Classify later — mark trips as business or personal at the end of the day (or in bulk)
• ATO report — generates a compliant logbook report with all required fields
• Export — CSV, PDF, or direct to accountant
• Free tier — tracks up to 30 trips/month; Pro ($69/year) is unlimited

GOFAR — Best for Accuracy

GOFAR uses a small OBD2 dongle that plugs into your vehicle's diagnostic port. It's more accurate than GPS-only tracking because it reads directly from the vehicle:

• Accurate odometer — reads actual vehicle distance, not GPS approximations
• Engine data — also tracks fuel economy, engine health, and driving patterns
• No battery drain — powered by the OBD2 port, not your phone
• One-time cost — $149 for the device, app is free forever

GOFAR is particularly suited to owner-drivers who want both a logbook and engine diagnostics in one device.

Tips for a Bulletproof Logbook

• Choose a representative 12-week period — avoid holiday periods or unusually busy/quiet times
• Start on a Monday — makes the 12-week period cleaner for reporting
• Record odometer readings at start and end of the logbook period
• Be specific with trip purposes — "client meeting at ABC Construction, Parramatta" is better than "work"
• Don't forget personal trips — the ATO expects to see both; missing personal trips inflates your business percentage and triggers audit risk
• Renew every 5 years — or sooner if your driving pattern changes (e.g., new job site, different vehicle)

Frequently Asked Questions