North Carolina Suspends 41-Cent Fuel Tax Through Nov. 30
Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 3, the Relief at the Pump Act, into law Oct. 9. The bill suspends North Carolina's 41-cent-per-gallon motor fuels tax on gasoline and diesel from Oct. 10 through Nov. 30, according to the governor's office. The suspension applies to all fuel purchases in the state during that window, lowering per-gallon costs for trucks fueling in North Carolina.
Separately, Stein directed the North Carolina Department of Revenue to waive state penalties tied to the federal prohibition on using red-dyed diesel fuel on public roads, a move aimed at farmers facing high fuel prices. The governor's office said that penalty relief runs through the end of 2026 and that Stein also secured matching federal penalty relief for the same conduct. Dyed diesel carries no road tax and is normally restricted to off-road farm and construction equipment; using it on public highways is a federal and state violation.
The governor's office framed both moves as part of a broader affordability push that also touches housing and health care costs.
What's next
- 2026-10-10: State fuel tax suspension takes effect.
- 2026-11-30: State fuel tax suspension is scheduled to end.
- 2026-12-31: State-level red-dyed diesel penalty relief is set to expire, per the release.
All sources
- Governor Stein Signs House Bill 3, Suspending State Gas Tax and Lowering Costs for North Carolinians — Government site: Office of the Governor of North Carolina, 2026-10-09
