Georgia motorists will continue getting a break at the gas pump after Governor Brian Kemp extended the state’s suspension of motor fuel taxes through November 5.

Kemp signed an amended executive order this week extending the State of Emergency for petroleum supply disruptions. The original order took effect September 29 and had been scheduled to expire October 29.

Under the extension, Georgia will continue suspending collection of the state motor fuel excise tax on gasoline, diesel and several other types of motor fuel through 11:59 PM November 5.

The move comes as Georgia and the rest of the country continue dealing with petroleum supply disruptions and volatile fuel prices.

According to the Governor’s Office, gasoline prices in Georgia fell by roughly 33 cents per gallon during the first week of the tax suspension, while the average price of diesel dropped by more than 42 cents per gallon. State officials said Georgia’s average price for regular gasoline was 51 cents below the national average following the decrease.

The amended order also provides additional relief aimed particularly at Georgia farmers and truckers.

Kemp authorized the Georgia Department of Revenue to temporarily waive state penalties associated with using dyed diesel fuel in vehicles traveling on public highways.

Dyed diesel is normally intended for off-road uses such as farm machinery and other equipment and is generally prohibited for use in highway vehicles because it is not subject to the same fuel taxes.

Under the temporary waiver, there will be no state penalties for selling, delivering or using dyed diesel for highway purposes. The waiver applies in all 159 Georgia counties and remains in effect through November 5.

The state emphasized that the action is a temporary waiver of state penalties associated with dyed diesel use during the petroleum supply emergency.

Kemp’s emergency order also continues the temporary suspension of certain state weight limits on commercial vehicles. State officials say allowing additional flexibility for commercial transportation can help reduce costs associated with moving fuel, agricultural products and other goods.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper praised the extension, saying lower fuel costs provide relief not only for individual motorists but also for farmers, truckers and businesses that depend heavily on fuel.

For consumers, the most noticeable provision remains the suspension of Georgia’s motor fuel tax. The tax is collected at the distributor level but is ultimately reflected in prices paid by motorists.

The Georgia Department of Revenue says the suspension applies to fuels subject to the state motor fuel excise tax, including gasoline, clear diesel, aviation gasoline, propane, gasohol, ethanol, liquefied natural gas and compressed natural gas.

The state’s prepaid local sales tax on motor fuel has not been suspended, meaning the governor’s action does not eliminate every tax associated with fuel purchases.

Unless the emergency order is extended again, Georgia’s motor fuel tax suspension and the temporary dyed-diesel penalty waiver will expire at 11:59 PM on November 5.

Sources:

Georgia Governor’s Office
Georgia Department of Revenue
Georgia Department of Agriculture