Legal Definitions - regular use

In legal terms, regular use refers to the consistent, customary, or frequent employment of something over a period, rather than sporadic, occasional, or isolated instances. The precise frequency or duration required to meet the standard of "regular use" can vary depending on the specific law, contract, or context, but it generally implies a pattern of activity that is expected, habitual, or routine.

Here are some examples illustrating how "regular use" might apply:

• Insurance Policy Exclusions: Imagine an auto insurance policy that states it will not cover damages if the insured vehicle is "regularly used" by someone not listed on the policy. If a parent's college-aged child, who is not listed on the insurance, drives the family car to and from their part-time job every weekday, this would likely be considered regular use. The consistent, daily pattern of driving for a specific purpose establishes a routine, distinguishing it from an occasional borrowing for an errand. If an accident occurred during one of these trips, the insurer might deny coverage based on this exclusion.

• Prescriptive Easements: In property law, a person might claim a "prescriptive easement" – the right to use another's land for a specific purpose – if they have openly and continuously used it for a certain number of years. For instance, if a homeowner consistently walks across a specific corner of their neighbor's undeveloped property to reach a public walking trail every morning for over a decade, this would constitute regular use. This habitual and predictable pattern of crossing the land, rather than just a few times a year, is crucial evidence in establishing a legal right to continue using that path.

• Workplace Safety Regulations: Workplace safety regulations often require employers to provide specific training or safety equipment for tools or machinery that employees engage in "regular use." Consider a construction company whose employees operate a particular type of heavy machinery, such as an excavator, several times a week as part of their standard job duties. This consistent, recurring operation of the machinery would be classified as regular use, obligating the employer to provide certified training, routine maintenance, and appropriate safety gear to all operators to comply with safety standards.