UK petrol stations are now required to follow a new 30-minute rule aimed at providing drivers with more accurate fuel price information. The Fuel Finder Scheme, which includes platforms like Pumpwatch, has entered full enforcement, mandating that garages report fuel prices to a central database within 30 minutes of any change.
How the New Rule Works
The initiative is designed to give motorists fast and reliable online price data, enabling them to make informed decisions about where to fill up. Fuel Finder allows users to quickly locate the cheapest nearby fuel prices. However, complaints have arisen regarding garages failing to update information promptly.
Expert Insights
A spokesperson from My Car Reg Check commented: "Pumpwatch is a step in the right direction. It gives drivers far more visibility than they have ever had before, particularly when prices can vary dramatically within a few miles. However, it is important to understand that transparency does not automatically mean fairness. There are still pricing patterns and behaviours that the system does not prevent, especially in high-demand or low-competition areas."
The spokesperson added: "Drivers should see this as a tool, not a guarantee of the cheapest possible fuel. Forecourts are required to update prices within 30 minutes, but in fast-moving periods this still leaves a gap where drivers may see one price online and another at the pump."
