What is Dyed Diesel? Off-Road Red Diesel Guide
Dyed diesel — also called red diesel or off-road diesel — is standard ULSD fuel that has been dyed red to indicate it is exempt from federal and state road taxes. It is chemically identical to on-road diesel but costs significantly less because the tax (typically $0.40-0.60/gallon) is not applied.
How It Relates to Fuel Delivery
The red dye (Solvent Red 26) is added at the terminal or distribution point and is easily detectable by fuel inspectors. Using dyed diesel in on-road vehicles is a federal offense with penalties starting at $10 per gallon or $1,000, whichever is greater.
Dyed diesel is legal for off-road equipment including construction machinery (excavators, bulldozers, cranes), agricultural equipment (tractors, combines), stationary generators, marine vessels, and mining equipment. The tax savings can be substantial — on a 5,000-gallon delivery, you could save $2,000-$3,000 compared to on-road diesel.
BettyJet delivers dyed diesel directly to job sites, farms, and facilities across Florida. We handle all documentation and ensure you receive properly dyed fuel that meets your tax-exempt needs.
Why It Matters for BettyJet Customers
If your equipment never touches a public road, you're likely overpaying for fuel by using on-road diesel. BettyJet can deliver dyed diesel to your site and help you understand which equipment qualifies, potentially saving your operation thousands of dollars per month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dyed diesel in my pickup truck?
No. Using dyed diesel in any vehicle that operates on public roads is illegal. It's reserved for off-road equipment, generators, and agricultural use. Penalties for illegal use start at $10/gallon or $1,000.
How much cheaper is dyed diesel than clear diesel?
Dyed diesel is typically $0.40-$0.60 per gallon cheaper than clear (on-road) diesel because it's exempt from federal and state highway taxes. On a 5,000-gallon delivery, that's $2,000-$3,000 in savings.
Related Terms
ULSD stands for Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel — a cleaner-burning diesel fuel containing no more than 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur. Since 2006, the EPA has required all on-road diesel sold in the United States to meet the ULSD standard, replacing Low Sulfur Diesel (LSD) which contained up to 500 ppm of sulfur.
Wet HosingWet hosing is the practice of fueling vehicles or equipment directly from a mobile fuel truck rather than from a stationary storage tank. The fuel truck pulls up to each vehicle and fills it on-site — no bulk tank, no pump, no infrastructure required.
BOLA BOL (Bill of Lading) is the primary shipping document for fuel delivery. It serves as a receipt, a contract of carriage, and a document of title — recording what fuel was loaded, where it came from, and where it's going. Every fuel delivery in the United States requires a BOL.
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