10/13/2026
MTA Still Recommending that Carriers NOT Use Dyed Diesel in On-Road Trucks
Even after the recent declarations from President Trump and Governor Pritzker, Mid-West Trucker's Association is still recommending that companies do not use off-road dyed diesel fuel in on-road trucks at this time.
MTA is also recommending carriers NOT place dyed fuel in bulk on-road storage tanks due to the lack of guidance from IDOR on penalties and fines for having dyed fuel in clear fuel storage tanks.
While the declarations from President Trump and Governor Pritzker provide temporary relief by delaying the payment of certain federal and state motor fuel taxes through the end of the year, users will still be responsible for paying the applicable taxes on dyed diesel used for on-road purposes during the grace period.
After the grace period, questions remain regarding compliance and the practical application of proving that dyed diesel was used for a qualified purpose. Carriers should therefore exercise caution before using dyed diesel in on-road operations.
The Illinois Department of Revenue issued guidance last Friday for recordkeeping requirements on using dyed diesel in on-road trucks, although they have not clarified the process of how to submit and pay the taxes that are currently required to be paid at a later date. The recordkeeping process includes keeping detailed records for 4 years. This along with the challenges of removing the dye from diesel systems after the grace period is why MTA is still recommending companies not use dyed diesel for on-road operations.
Read more on the IDOR guidance at:
In response to the ongoing diesel fuel crisis, temporary penalty relief has been authorized for use of dyed diesel fuel on highways and state roads for farming and agricultural purposes in Illinois. To support continued farming and agricultural operations, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR),....
