Changes to red diesel rules for agricultural vehicles when gritting

Changes to red diesel rules for agricultural vehicles when gritting

From 1 November 2013 the rules on the use of red diesel have changed, allowing users of agricultural tractors, light agricultural vehicles and agricultural material handlers across the region to use red diesel in their vehicles when gritting public roads.

Previously, only vehicles constructed or adapted solely for gritting roads were allowed to use red diesel for gritting purposes. This restriction prevented farmers from using their tractors and other agricultural vehicles that are ordinarily fuelled with red diesel to respond quickly to adverse weather conditions. 

HMRC accepts that due to their design and off-road capability, these can often be the most suitable vehicles for snow clearance and gritting, whether this is through the attachment or trailing of equipment or the simple transportation of material to be spread manually.

Hedvig Ljungerud, HMRC’s Deputy Director for Transport Taxes, said: “These changes show that HMRC recognises and responds to the needs of rural communities. People in the north west remoter areas will now be able to call upon these versatile and readily available vehicles to maintain access during periods of heavy winter weather. This will bring significant benefits to people and businesses in towns and villages normally outside the reach of municipal gritters, allowing daily life to continue and making the roads safer.”