Petroleum licensing

Licence summary

For licensing purposes 'petroleum' is any product of crude petroleum which has a flash point below 21 degrees centigrade. This means it is a highly flammable liquid and gives off flammable vapours even at very low temperatures. It includes petrol, benzene and pentane but does not include white spirit, paraffin, diesel oil or fuel oils.
The licensing regime applies conditions for the safe operation of sites where petrol is delivered, stored and dispensed.

Eligibility criteria

You must get a licence from us to sell or store petroleum products if the product is:
• dispensed by mechanical or electrical pumps from a storage tank into the fuel tank of an internal combustion engine. This would include cars, boats and aircraft
• dispensed for sale - e.g. a petrol station
• dispensed for private use e.g. car rental firms, farms, for a fleet of a businesses' own vehicles

Regulation summary

The Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928, as amended by Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), requires that anyone operating a petrol filling station should have a licence issued by their local Petroleum Licensing Authority. The licence is renewed annually, and fees are payable to apply for a new licence, and to renew or transfer an existing one.

Fees

The current fees from April 2013 are:

Up to 2500 litres - £42.00
Exceeding 2500 litres but not exceeding 50,000 litres - £58.00
Exceeding 50,000 litres - £120.00
Transfer of a licence - £8.00

Application evaluation process

We will process your application and will normally send you a licence document and receipt for your payment within 10 working days. In the event that we are unable to send these within this timescale we will contact you to explain the reason for the delay.

Inspectors may make an unannounced site visit to ensure that the filling station is operated in a safe manner that does not cause risk to the public or the environment, and is compliant with the licence conditions.

Will tacit consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that Southampton City Council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this online here if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.

Apply online

Either submit your application online or return your completed application form, together with the appropriate fee to:

Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances

Regulatory Services (Commercial)
Southampton City Council
Floor 5
One Guildhall Square
Southampton
SO14 7FP

Failed application redress

You have the right to appeal to the Secretary of State under section 44 of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 if you are refused a licence. However, please contact us in the first instance.

Licence holder redress

You have the right to appeal to the Secretary of State if you are dissatisfied with the conditions imposed. However, please contact us in the first instance.

Consumer complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you – preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.