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Red Diesel FAQ – Rules & Regulations You Should Know
If you plan on using red diesel (gas oil), you need to ensure you’re aware of the rules around its usage. The regulations are strict, so before you go ahead and use the fuel, it’s always a good idea to double check your individual usage with HMRC or Speedy Fuels.
Below is our easy to understand guide to using red diesel to help make things a little clearer. If you’d still like to speak with one of our team about using gas oil, please call us now on 0330 123 3773.
- What is red diesel fuel?
- Does red diesel have any other names?
- Is red diesel red?
- Can you remove the red dye from red diesel?
- Do you need a licence to purchase red diesel?
- Is red diesel exempt from tax?
- Can red diesel be used in cars?
- Will red diesel damage my car?
- Can I use red diesel in a boiler to heat my home?
- Can you use red diesel in tractors for gritting public roads?
- Can I use red diesel in a car on a farm?
- When can I use red diesel?
- What vehicles can use red diesel?
- Is there an alternative to red diesel?
- Why does red diesel cost less than road diesel?
- Can red diesel be traced?
- I’ve put red diesel in my car by accident, what can I do?
- Are there any restrictions on using red diesel for agricultural contractors?
- What’s the fine for using red diesel illegally?
- Can red diesel be used as heating oil?
- Can red diesel be used in generators?
- Can red diesel freeze?
- Can I carry two separate fuel tanks so I can switch between white and red diesel?
- What do I do with unwanted red diesel fuel?
- Where can I buy red diesel from?
- How much is red diesel fuel?
What is Red Diesel Fuel?
Red diesel (also known as gas oil, tractor diesel, cherry red, generator diesel and agricultural diesel) is a low-tax and therefore low-cost fuel that is widely used to operate registered off-road vehicles and machinery. It can also be used to heat homes, however industrial heating oil is a much more efficient and cost-effective alternative.
Does red diesel have any other names?
Yes, red diesel is known by a number of other names such as gas oil, agricultural diesel, 35 seconds, cherry juice, tractor diesel, digger fuel, generator diesel and marine diesel.
Is Red Diesel Red?
Yes – as its name suggests, gas oil contains a red dye with chemical markers in accordance with Customs and Excise requirements to enable HMRC or police officers to identify and quickly prosecute illegal usage. Upon testing, they must locate a marker dye or use dip testing.
Can you remove the red dye from red diesel?
While you can technically remove the red dye from gas oil, it’s actually illegal to do so – and traces of the dye will remain in the engine. The process to remove the red dye from the fuel is called fuel laundering and if found illegally doing so, you can end up with a prison sentence. It’s not worth the risk!
Do You Need a Licence to Purchase Red Diesel?
No, you don’t need a licence to purchase red diesel, however, you must sign an RDCO form upon purchase. You must only buy gas oil from a company who is HMRC registered. Read more about this here.
Is red diesel exempt from tax?
No, red diesel isn’t completely exempt from tax. However, it is a heavily rebated fuel, so the tax charged is much less than on other fuels such as white diesel.
Can Red Diesel be Used in Cars?
Red diesel fuel is no different than regular white diesel; it has the same properties so it can power all diesel-powered engines. However, if you use red diesel in a road vehicle on public roads, it’s considered tax evasion and you will be breaking the law.
An exception to this is for farmers. They can travel up to 1.5km using red diesel in a car to access land on the public highway.
Will Red Diesel Damage My Car?
No, red diesel is exactly the same fuel as road diesel, except for the red dye added to it. All diesel-powered engines can use red diesel, although you will be breaking the law if you use it in road-going vehicles.
Can I use red diesel in a boiler to heat my home?
Whether you can run your boiler on red diesel depends on the model of your furnace. If your boiler is vertically conventionally fluid then you should be able to use the fuel to heat your home. However, this is a more expensive option than heating oil.
Can You Use Red Diesel in Tractors for Gritting Public Roads?
Since 2012, agricultural vehicles (tractors, light agricultural vehicles and agricultural material handlers) can use red diesel on public roads to grit small roads in order to ensure safe travel for local communities.
Can I use red diesel in a car on a farm?
You can use red diesel in a car on a farm, so long as it’s intended solely for off-road, farm-related use. You must not drive the car on the public roads if it’s powered on red diesel.
When Can I Use Red Diesel?
The rules on red diesel are quite broad and depend entirely on what you’re using it for. Here we give you a breakdown of the latest rules regarding red diesel usage.
What vehicles can use red diesel?
- Tractors and light farming vehicles, for example, self-propelled cutters – providing they are merely used for gardening, agriculture or forestry purposes
- Mowers
- Gritters and automobiles used to clear snowfall
- Road structure vehicles
- Movable cranes and bulldozers
- Construction vehicles, e.g. diggers, JCBs and tippers
- Vehicles approved for partial use and which are merely used for farming, forestry or gardening purposes. These automobiles can likewise only be used on open roads amongst different parts of land utilised by the same individual. The distance must not surpass 1.5km
- Work vehicles must obey the same guidelines as above, although the distance can’t exceed 1km
Is there an alternative to red diesel?
Yes, Speedy Flame is a red diesel alternative that’s intended for heating applications only. That’s because the heating oil is a zero VAT fuel.
Why does Red Diesel Cost Less than Road Diesel?
Red diesel is a rebated fuel, which means it’s cheaper than road diesel (white diesel) as it has a significantly lower fuel tax levy required.
As red diesel is legal for use in the agricultural, marine and construction industries, this makes it the perfect fuel to power vehicles in industries that need low-cost fuel for work purposes.
Can Red Diesel be Traced?
Yes, the red dye is added to enable red diesel to be easily traceable for illegal use by police officers or HMRC.
I’ve put Red Diesel in my Car by Accident, What can I do?
If you have put red diesel in a road vehicle by accident, then you should drain your tank off all the fuel as soon as you can. If you are unable to do this, then you should contact HMRC immediately and follow their instructions.
Are there any Restrictions on Using Red Diesel for Agricultural Contractors?
You can use red diesel as long as you are using it exclusively for farming, horticultural or forestry work. The automobile must also be listed for agriculture use.
What’s the Fine for Using Red Diesel Illegally?
There isn’t a fixed fine, but if you’re found using it illegally, the HMRC will charge you for the restoration of your vehicle’s system to clean your tank and filters to remove the marker dye. You will be charged a fee for its removal. Your car can be detained, or you can even be back charged for the difference in cost between red diesel and road diesel over the time you’ve been using it.
Can Red Diesel be Used as Heating Oil?
Yes, red diesel is commonly used for heating applications. However, our Speedy Flame Industrial Heating Oil will save you money when you switch from red diesel (gas oil) to our industrial heating oil (IHO).
Can Red Diesel be Used in Generators?
Red diesel is a popular fuel for use in backup generators as it’s a cost-effective way to provide power to a critical system.
Can Red Diesel Freeze?
When the temperature drops, diesel fuel gelling can occur as it contains wax paraffins which usually improve fuel lubrication and viscosity. When it gets too cold, paraffin wax thickens and turns cloudy which can eventually clog filters and cause the fuel to no longer flow, rending your fuel inoperable. Learn more about red diesel and seasonality in our article.
Can I carry two separate Fuel Tanks so I can switch between White & Red Diesel?
No, it is unlawful to transport two diesel cisterns that are equally able to be joined to the diesel engine.
What do I do with unwanted red diesel fuel?
Leaving red diesel in a tank when it’s no longer in use can pose environmental hazards if left for a long period of time. However, removing it from your tank is highly dangerous if not done correctly. Speedy Fuels can come to your site and uplift any unwanted gas oil and potentially provide payment if it’s able to be recycled.
Where can I buy red diesel from?
Speedy Fuels supplies businesses with red diesel across the country. Thanks to our widespread fuel depots and large number of tankers, 92% of our deliveries are made on the very next day.
How Much is Red Diesel Fuel?
Here at Speedy Fuels, we’re a family run business supplying red diesel to the building and farming industry. So if you’re looking for a consistent and expert company to cover your red diesel requirements, make certain we’re your main port of call. We provide competitive red diesel prices and nationwide deliveries to ensure you can keep your business running all year round.
If you would like to know a little more about using or buying red diesel then please give us a call now on 0330 123 3773.