Petrol is a dangerous substance, so you need a petroleum storage licence if you store in excess of 10 litres of petrol at home or if you have a business and dispense petrol mechanically or electrically into motor vehicles. Details of how to apply are below.
We need to inspect your petrol storage before we can issue a licence.
Please note that if you are a business and store petrol in cans or containers, you probably don’t need a petrol licence. In this case, the enforcement body is the Health & Safety Executive or your local Environmental Health Officer and not Trading Standards. If you need specific advice, please call us.
A summary of the regulations relating to petroleum licences.
Fee
The licence fee is set centrally by government.
- Up to 2,500 litres - £42 per year
- Up to 50,000 litres - £58 per year
- Over 50,000 litres - £120 per year
We are not able to renew licence for periods longer than three years. Licence fees are subject to review in April each year, so applying for a three year licence will protect you from two annual price increases.
Transfer of an existing licence costs £8.
Timescales
Once you have applied (below), we will call you within five days to make an appointment to inspect your proposed storage.
Does tacit consent apply?
Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from us by the end of the target completion period.
How to apply
Apply online
If you want to change an existing licence, please contact us to discuss.
Apply by post
Or you can download the application forms and post them to us at the address below, with a cheque made payable to Oxfordshire County Council (the following form can be used for both new applications and renewals of existing licences):
If you want to transfer your existing petroleum licence, please use the following forms:
See above for fees.
Who to contact
If you have any questions, or if there is a problem with your application, please contact the Petroleum Officer at the following address:
Trading Standards Service
Oxfordshire County Council
Electric Avenue
Ferry Hinksey Road
Oxford
OX2 0BY
Tel: 0845 051 0845
Fax: 01865 783106
If an application is refused, you may appeal to the Secretary of State
Complaints about a person or trader licensed by us
In the event of a complaint contact the trader, preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of posting/delivery). If that fails and you are located in the UK, contact Consumer Direct for advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
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