Tennessee Suspends Dyed-Diesel Enforcement for Ag, Forestry Haulers
Tennessee's Department of Revenue says enforcement of state dyed-diesel restrictions is suspended for agricultural and forestry haulers through the end of October 2026. The suspension, issued under Governor Bill Lee's directive, covers people using vehicles on Tennessee highways to harvest and haul crops, livestock, timber and other forest products, and to transport farm and forestry supplies and equipment, according to the agency's motor carrier page.
Dyed diesel is taxed differently than clear diesel and is normally restricted to off-road use such as farm equipment. States sometimes suspend enforcement during fuel disruptions tied to federal action, letting agricultural and forestry haulers run dyed fuel on public roads without facing state penalties for that period.
The Department of Revenue page does not state the date Governor Lee signed the directive or what prompted it. It says only that enforcement is suspended through the end of October 2026, with no mention of whether the relief could be extended.
What's next
- 2026-10-31: Suspension is set to expire unless Tennessee extends it.
- Carriers should check TDOR's motor carrier page before using dyed diesel on public roads after that date.
All sources
- Motor Carrier (Tennessee Department of Revenue page noting Governor Lee's dyed diesel enforcement suspension) — Government site: Tennessee Department of Revenue, 2026-10-09
