Nevada Cracking Down on Off-Road ‘Red Diesel’

Nevada state authorities are keeping an eye out for red-dyed diesel meant for off-road applications that some truckers are using to save money on the road, the Associated Press reported.

Dyed diesel is exempt from state and federal taxes and so is about 50 cents a gallon cheaper than clear, regular diesel fuel, AP reported.

Most dyed diesel is used for large equipment such as backhoes, graders, mining and farming machinery, AP said.

To identify scofflaws, state inspectors give a sort of breathalyzer test to fuel tanks. A first offense is $2,500, then subsequent offenses jump to $5,000 for a second offense, $7,500 for a third and $10,000 for a fourth, AP reported.