I have a friend who uses off road diesel in his truck. He said that because he had farm plates this was legal and if he went to court the charges would be thrown out. I told him that this is a BIG fine 1500 or so and a possible impound on the vehicle.

Who is right?

He is right. As long as he has FARM TRUCK plates on his truck he can run that fuel anytime he wants too... Sorry...

my understanding is different states have different rules in this area ... would be best to make very certain what the law is in a specific location prior to doing so ... I've been told around here it can only be run in vehicles (trucks included) that aren't operated off of the farm or on public roads

Jim

in Indiana off road fuel is just that. tractors etc. no grain trucks or pickups. if you plate it you can not run off road fuel

What are the advantages of off road diesel?

no road tax.

In CA, you cannot run it in anything that goes on a public road. I dont see why it would be different in any other part of the nation.

$10k fine if caught. Also heard talk of an instant audit.

Pry Duramax diesel stickers off of truck if you run it.

Just no taxes.. No real advantage...

Cheaper.

we get a break on the taxes only a little but you have to be a farm with farm plates on it true farm fuel has more lubericant in it but usualy cant get it it is regular fuel with color in it

we get a break on the taxes only a little but you have to be a farm with farm plates on it true farm fuel has more lubericant in it but usualy cant get it it is regular fuel with color in it

"more lubericant" ? :( Nope, just red dye and no road tax, sorry! And it is used for much more then farm vehicles. Think of it this way, the big refineries would not add more, for less...... ):h

Around here, anything that travels on public roads has to pay the fuel tax. It doesn't matter if the truck has "Farm plates", you pay the tax. The only exception to that are government vehciles do not have to pay the road tax.

anyone know the laws in ky?? i have farm plates just never really thought about running it. but with diesel so high now its loking like i might invest in a diesel tank for my bed...

no thats not what i meant here by law farms and train locmotives can run under the old law with more sulpher in it but youer right it is not avalibe its the same fuel with color in it

He is right. As long as he has FARM TRUCK plates on his truck he can run that fuel anytime he wants too... Sorry...

Sorry, but that don't mean squat. Here in Texas if you drive on federal, state or county owned roads with a registered vehicle, you are to burn taxed fuel, not off road fuel.

Several farmers around here have been checked and fined. Wether they had farm plates or not.

Ok well maybe out in West Texas where cops have nothing better to do. But I know many farmers in this area around Houston that do it and have never had any issues with it or problems with the law. I will see if I can find the written law about it and see what it says. I do not think that it is that big of an issue around here..

Up here, I've never been checked. Have not personally talked to anyone who has been checked. But people claim the law guys (Ministry of Transportation) can pull you over and syphon a sample.

Ok well maybe out in West Texas where cops have nothing better to do. But I know many farmers in this area around Houston that do it and have never had any issues with it or problems with the law. I will see if I can find the written law about it and see what it says. I do not think that it is that big of an issue around here..Get caught running it in your truck on public roads and they will read you the law. That is why it is called OFF ROAD DIESEL. You have to have a permit and number to be able to purchase it now.

Max Owner-
The guy who drops fuel at my neighbor's farm says the MOT guys follow him about once a year and check vehicles at farms where he delivers. Not sure about the legality of coming onto private property but its been done. I also know someone running farm plates who had their fuel checked at the weigh station on the QEW at Victoria St.

Rare occasions I think, but it happens.

Get caught running it in your truck on public roads and they will read you the law. That is why it is called OFF ROAD DIESEL. You have to have a permit and number to be able to purchase it now.
Ok will if you will read what I said, I said that I KNOW people who do this and have no issues..:rolleyes:

Where ever there is money to be made in fines, the government types WILL be there. Just a matter of time.

Maybe since I live in the city (not any places that I am aware of that sell coloured diesel, around here) they don't bother too much in this particular area?

Ive never seen anyone check for red diesel in FL. I wouldn't run it neway. The risks are not worth the benefits. besides it all trickles.. The people that rob uncle sam just cost the rest of us in the long run.

i know the fuel is the same other than the dye, but does it void the warranty on a new truck by running this? I have ran it in an older diesel pickup from time to time but my new one I have been reluctant to do so. I've heard different stories from different people.

i know the fuel is the same other than the dye, but does it void the warranty on a new truck by running this? I have ran it in an older diesel pickup from time to time but my new one I have been reluctant to do so. I've heard different stories from different people.
Some where around here on one of the off road diesel threads, one of the Techs posted a blurb from GM. It does not void warranty.

Jim

Dyeing fuels for identity is a Federal program for the determination of compliance with "Tax Use Laws"

Non-dyed fuel may be used anywhere you like (what do they care, you're already paying full boat). Dyed fuels (which are exempt from "Federal Use Tax") may only be used where specified by Federal statutes regarding the use of exempt fuels, usually restricted to Government, farm-agricultural, & home heating, but can also include anything else Congress decides on.

States also have some type of excise tax related to fuel use in motor vehicles (to support the upkeep of the road sytem they are responsible for, just like the Feds) & may also exempt some uses. States may have stricter requirements, but never less strict than Federal (it's a Constitutional thing).

It's best to at least follow the Federal guidelines (no matter what), but check your local laws also to be certain they're not stricter.

I have been selling fuel for a living for a while now (2 Island-4 Bay Service Station). I've was selling diesel back when the retailer was resposible for collecting/or exempting Federal tax on #2-fuel (only about 15yrs ago), no dyes. We'd make a "tax deposit" to the Feds at the Bank once a month. Lots of Station owners & their friends back then running all their diesel vehicles tax free (federal anyway), just claimed all those gallons to homeowners needing "emergency" heating oil (& some homeowners did come in with 5gal cans, winterized fuel & all, guess you'll burn anything when your cold).