Petrol stations that fail to report live price changes to the Government's Fuel Finder scheme will be fined from today.
It has been described as a 'momentous' occasion for pump price transparency and should help drivers with soaring fuel costs.
The Government has triggered the start of its Fuel Finder enforcement today, 1 May, after a three-month grace period.
From today, the Competition and Markets Authority can begin fining UK petrol stations that fail to report price changes to the Government's Fuel Finder system within 30 minutes.
Since 2 February, all petrol stations in the UK have been legally required to report any pump price changes accurately within this half-hour period to the Government database, but forecourts have so far been encouraged to comply rather than fined for not complying.
Now enforcement will be actioned against non-compliance, with forecourts subject to formal investigations and financial penalties.
Edmund King, AA President, said: 'This is a momentous day for pushing the fuel trade to price petrol and diesel at the pump fairly, transparently and competitively.'
The Government's Fuel Finder enforcement starts today, 1 May, after a three-month grace period
What is the Fuel Finder scheme?
The scheme legally requires every petrol station to share pricing changes within 30 minutes of making them.
Drivers can access live pricing data via websites or through their vehicle's sat-nav system.
This allows motorists to locate the cheapest forecourts around them, so they won't get ripped off at the pumps.
Why was Fuel Finder launched?
Fuel Finder was launched in response to years of campaigning following a major investigation into the fuel retail sector.
The investigation discovered drivers are being ripped off consistently at the pumps.
The Competition and Markets Authority called for the implementation of the statutory scheme since 2023. It had found evidence of weakened competition in the fuel retail industry post pandemic.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the Fuel Finder Scheme in her Autumn Budget, saying it would save the average household £40 a year.
Motoring organisations called it 'the start of the journey to cheaper fuel prices around the UK'.
Fuel Finder legally requires every petrol station to share pricing changes within 30 minutes of making them so drivers access live pricing and get the cheapest pump prices
Undercover investigation exposes shocking overcharging at car garages
Will today's enforcement help drivers get better prices at the pumps?
'Up until now, most motorists travelling unfamiliar roads would only find out how cheap or expensive fuel at the next forecourt is when they drive past,' says Edmund King.
'AA analysis of motorway service area petrol prices this week shows that 31 out of 50 sampled were charging at least 184.9p a litre – against a national average of 157.7p.
'Most motorists would only find this out as they drove off the motorway and pulled onto the forecourts.
'Now with Fuel Finder they can find out what prices lie ahead on major routes, which towns are 3p, 5p or 8p a litre dearer than the town next door, and where to lessen the blow of road fuel price shocks.
'The near real-time reporting of pump price changes should encourage more competition, and some fuel stations may take maximum advantage. So be it. Fuel Finder’s main task is to highlight the cheaper fuel stations so that drivers get the best deal for their money, regardless of where they are driving.
'Enforcement provides the teeth to make the scheme work.'
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