Queues of drivers rushing to fill up with petrol before prices rise have been seen at forecourts in various parts of the UK - but drivers looking to stockpile extra fuel have been hit with a warning.
Experts have told drivers that there are actually strict laws about how much extra petrol you can buy to store at home.
Not only is storing petrol or diesel at home potentially very dangerous if done incorrectly (it is highly flammable, after all), there are rules in place about how much extra you can buy at a time and how you store it.
Breaking the rules could not only land you a big fine, but could also completely invalidate your insurance.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Van Leasing, said: “Many drivers are trying to get ahead of rising prices by storing extra fuel at home, but it’s important to understand the risks and responsibilities that come with that.
"Petrol is one of the most flammable substances you can keep at home. Using the right containers and storing it safely can help prevent accidents and protect your insurance cover if anything goes wrong.
“It might be convenient to have spare fuel, but doing it wrong can end up costing far more than you save.”
UK law allows you to store up to 30 litres of petrol at home without needing to declare it or apply for a licence, says Graham. This can be split across two 10-litre metal jerry cans and two 5-litre plastic ones, as long as they’re purpose-built for fuel and have proper closures.
If you go over the 30-litre limit, even by accident, you must notify your local Petroleum Enforcement Authority. Breaking the limit without telling them could lead to enforcement action, especially if it’s discovered after a fire or insurance claim.
If incorrectly stored fuel causes damage to your vehicle (e.g. fire, explosion, or corrosion from leaks), your insurer could argue it was due to negligence, not accident. That might lead to a rejected claim.
Similarly, if you've told your insurer your car is kept in a secure driveway or garage, but it’s actually parked near improperly stored fuel or in an unsafe condition, they could say you misrepresented how the vehicle is stored. That could invalidate your cover or reduce a payout.
While fines for illegal storage are rate, local authorities have the power to issue penalties or take legal action if unsafe storage is reported or causes a hazard. In the event of a fire, you could be found liable, even if the fuel was being kept for personal use.
