Red Diesel Regulations

Red diesel is rebated fuel dyed red that attracts a lower rate of duty for approved off-road uses.
From April 2022, the UK government restricted red diesel use to agriculture, rail, and non-commercial heating.
Construction plant and equipment can no longer legally use red diesel — white diesel must be used instead.
HMRC can stop and check any vehicle or machine and test fuel for the presence of red dye markers.
Using red diesel illegally in construction plant carries fines of at least £250 or the full duty owed.
Continued or deliberate misuse can result in vehicle seizure, criminal prosecution, and financial penalties.
Site managers must ensure all fuel deliveries are white diesel and that storage tanks are clearly labelled.
Older plant with residual red diesel traces in the fuel system should be flushed before compliance checks.
The change increased fuel costs for the construction industry by approximately 47 pence per litre.
Some exemptions may still apply for specific generator uses — check HMRC guidance before claiming any exemption.

Legal compliance	Using red diesel in construction plant has been illegal since April 2022 — HMRC actively enforce this change.
Financial penalties	Fines start at £250 per offence plus backdated duty — repeated offences lead to prosecution and vehicle seizure.
Carbon reduction	The policy change aims to reduce fossil fuel use by removing the price advantage of red diesel in construction.

Do

Don't

Use only white diesel in all construction plant, generators, and site equipment.
Check fuel delivery notes confirm white diesel before accepting any tanker delivery.
Label all fuel storage tanks clearly showing the fuel type contained within them.
Brief plant operators on the red diesel rules and their obligation to comply.
Flush fuel systems of plant that previously ran on red diesel before first use.
Keep fuel delivery receipts and records available for HMRC inspection at all times.
Check HMRC guidance if you believe a specific exemption applies to your equipment.
Monitor fuel suppliers to ensure they are delivering the correct product consistently.
Report any suspected red diesel use on site to the site manager immediately.
Factor the increased white diesel cost into project budgets and plant hire rates.

DON'T put red diesel into any construction plant, vehicle, or generator on site.
DON'T accept a fuel delivery without verifying it is white diesel on the paperwork.
DON'T store red diesel and white diesel in the same unlabelled tank on site.
DON'T assume older plant with red traces in the system will pass an HMRC check.
DON'T claim a red diesel exemption without written confirmation from HMRC first.
DON'T ignore HMRC officers attending site — they have legal powers to test fuel.
DON'T allow subcontractors to bring plant onto site running on red diesel.
DON'T transfer red diesel from agricultural use into construction plant tanks.
DON'T dispose of red diesel by putting it into construction equipment to use it up.
DON'T risk prosecution and fines to save fuel costs — the penalties far outweigh savings.

See also: Refuelling Plant Safely | Fuel and Chemical Management

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