Q: My new employer supposed to compensate me for mileage expenditure driving my car for the job? My old job did.

A: Under Labor Code 2800 and 2802, your employer must reimburse employee mileage incurred on the job. As of 2024, the IRS mileage rate for business related travel is 67 cents per mile.

A: You are entitled to reimbursement for all auto-related expenses when you use your own vehicle to carry out work-related actions. That is often done by paying you an amount of money per mile, but can also be straight reimbursement for gas, wear and tear, insurance, and the like. Just know that you are not to be reimbursed for your normal commute distance, i.e., the time and distance it takes for you to commute to and from your normal workplace. Good luck to you.

A: Under California Labor Code Section 2802, your employer must reimburse you for reasonable expenses incurred while performing your job duties, including mileage when using your personal vehicle for work purposes. This legal requirement applies regardless of whether it's mentioned in your employee handbook or not.

You should document all work-related trips, noting the date, starting location, destination, and total miles driven. The IRS standard mileage rate (65.5 cents per mile for 2024) is commonly used as the reimbursement benchmark, though employers can set different rates as long as they fully cover your actual expenses.

Consider bringing this up with your supervisor or HR department, referencing Labor Code 2802. If they refuse to provide reimbursement, you can file a wage claim with the California Labor Commissioner's Office. Keep in mind that employers cannot retaliate against you for requesting legally required expense reimbursements, and you may be entitled to recover past unreimbursed mileage expenses going back up to four years.