Using off-road diesel on road

[rback33]

I don't go out of my way to enforce any law, but if someone is so bold as to flaunt it in front of me, brag about it, and be a jerk . . .

I agree 100% there. There is no bragging or flaunting involved. It's a calculated risk, and one that as far as I know... I am the only one who knows.. well besides my wife... who would castrate me at the mention of offroad fuel in our pickup... .

 

[SteveInMD]

You can use off-road diesel on road. You just need a permit and you need to pay the taxes.

 

[Joe1]

In answer to the original question, enforcement of the Motor Fuel Excise Tax is done on a Federal level by the Internal Revenue Service thru their dyed diesel fuel inspection program, which incidentally is pretty much a copy of the Canadian program that started 10 years before that of the IRS.

Having talked to the fuel inspectors in my former life as an Internal Revenue Service criminal enforcement agent, they feel that up to 20 tanks of clear fuel may be needed before the dye can no longer be detected.

The problem in California and other border states is worse due to the proximity to Mexico.

IMO the original question was a legitimate one.

Taxes evaded by someone are spread out to the rest of us who do pay taxes. What one does about it as far as turning in a violator is a personal issues and in this matter I'll keep my opinion to myself.

Fuel taxes are for the Highway trust funds and are supposed to go to highway maintenance. Taxes not paid result in roads not repaired.

 

[cp1969]

Bob, you are not alone. I don't appreciate dishonest people either. I figure if a person wants to be a criminal, that's his choice. Letting me know he is one carries with it no obligation of silence.

 

[thatguy]

Here in Virginia the Department of Motor Vehicles enforces the dyed diesel regulation.. The IRS will usually piggyback on the DMV's assessments, and I believe the DMV will do the same if the IRS catches them..

The DMV will now also assess you for the penalty and taxes for fuel in the bulk tanks you filled the highway vehicle with..

brian

 

[jwstewar]

Wow!!! Didn't know this was going to start this much of a "heated" discussion. I think I've got my answer to the question so I can pass the info onto the party involved in case they should so desire to follow through.

Thank you everyone for your input.

 

[gordon21]

I have heard that DPS troopers will sometimes show up at cattle and horse and farm equipment auctions and check truck tanks in the parking lot.


Checking personal vehicle gas tanks while on private property without permission?? I can see a road check being done while operating on a public road or at a weigh station, but private property?????

 

[Dargo]

Gees, in my area, off road is only about .20 a gallon less than legal road taxed diesel. I don't even see the temptation. I would have to be tempted by something far larger than three or four bucks a tank savings for a potential $10,000 fine plus any and all other bad things that the DOT cops and tax agencies would be throwing at me.

I thought this would be a debate about dead-heading, or driving your tractor on the road to a location with off road fuel in the tank. Although I don't drive my tractor on the road much at all, when I've gone out to clear snow I haven't drained the off road fuel out of my tractor and filled the tank with taxed on road un-dyed diesel. I suppose if that is walking the line, I'm guilty of that. But I can honestly say that such use has been very minimal. Still, I don't know if that was in violation of the law or not? Anybody know that one??

 

[Bedlam]

Just a clarification.the red dyed fuel is off road? I have purchased it at the pumps that the trucks use, and its red.
Thanks
Al

 

[gclark94560]

Hi All!

I was told by my off-road-diesel dealer that, here in Alabama, if they catch you with traces of red dye in your tank, they look at your odometer and assess you the tax for every mile on the vehicle. They assume you always used red diesel.

Second offense they take the truck and sell it.

Greg