Carrying O/B fuel tanks in car

Martyn57 · 31 March 2014, 14:32

Went to my usual garage today to fill up the 2 x 25 litre o/b fuel tanks only to be told that ' we should have shut off the pumps". I asked why and was told that transporting more than 10 litres of petrol in my car was contrary to the ' Petroleum Licence' held by the garage. No problem with filling the tanks just putting it in my car! ( I have been doing this for at least 12 months with the knowledge of the garage)
Have trawled around the internet and can find a few snippets - one from RYA seems to indicate that if you are going directly from filling station to boat it's OK but also says that local licence rules on quantities may apply.
Filling station manager has agreed to speak to the licencing officer next time he checks them.
In the mean time I can hide my car around the corner and carry the tanks to the forecourt or take the boat to the filling station.
Anyone actually KNOW what the regs are?

jokaboat · 31 March 2014, 14:52

No idea but on both Saturday and Sunday I filled three 20ltr jerry cans with no comment from the, different, pump attendants. Been filling up there for years so I suppose they know a good source of income when they see one.

Starovich · 31 March 2014, 15:45

I have never had any issues filling 4 x 20ltr tanks.
Try a different station?

donald463 · 31 March 2014, 15:48

RYA's opinion
http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollection...D%20DIESEL.pdf

treerat · 31 March 2014, 16:58

Seem to remember this was discussed last year. The garage is correct however most ignore the rules as you have proper containers. It's designed to stop people hording petrol at home in plastic bottles.

Jim Robinson · 31 March 2014, 22:00

If I understand it correctly you can carry a fair amount 200l plus, as long as it is not inside the car with you. Pick up or trailer is accepted. The RNLI has fitted a tow bar to the local full time engineers car and bought a trailer with lid to supply the local inshore boat. The nearest waterside fuel dock to us in Bembridge is Cowes or Portsmouth so we have to transport fuel all the time.

HughN · 01 April 2014, 06:27

The M&S / BP garage near me used the tannoy to ask me to bring the tank I was filling to the window to show them the approval marks (how embarassing was that?!)

I now use a different garage staffed by 'a number of different nationalities' who would probably let me fill a carrier bag with petrol.

I'm sure there was a thread last year when a licensing officer was asked for an opinion...

Wibs · 01 April 2014, 06:52

I also noticed this at my local new 'Sainsbury' petrol station.

Nice big sign saying no more than 5ltrs.!

(As I was filling my 2 x 25's.!!)

Got away with it though, but looking online, some people haven't.

lakelandterrier · 02 April 2014, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wibs

I also noticed this at my local new 'Sainsbury' petrol station.Nice big sign saying no more than 5ltrs.!

I couldn't get the local Sainsburys / Morrisons etc to allow me to fill up my Mercury 25l tanks when I had external tanks - they insisted they were "cans" & I could only fill with 5l legally! Couldn't comprehend the difference between a "can" and a purpose designed, type approved "tank".

I think the legal limits for petrol to be carried are max 10 litres in plastic cans of no more than 5l capacity, or 60l in metal cans or type approved containers (which include "tanks"). Can't comment on how these rules are applied at individual petrol stations

TonyC · 02 April 2014, 15:00

We fill all our tanks for the centre at Morrisons. The only time we've every had a problem, is when we had the fuel 'shortage' last year.

A member of staff came out to inspect the containers. I then had a discussion with the manager over what constituted a portable container rather than a tank, and it was left that he'd let me fill up today, and he'd check with his boss & the licensing people. Haven't had a problem since.

PeterM · 02 April 2014, 15:03

Something about boat tanks being classed as demountable tanks and not cans springs to mind, and that its down to carrying them in the car being the bad thing to do.

Odd how my portable tanks have ' Remove from boat before filling' on them . - so remove them carry them to station , argue about tanks/ cans ( win the argument) , fill up and carry them home and put back in the boat . obvious really ..... doh.....

kerny · 02 April 2014, 15:06

I got pulled up at Sainsbury's by a voice over the loudspeaker asking me to show them my fuel tanks while attempting to fill up the other week , but once the manager saw the markings on them he was happy to let me continue. Its the first time I've been pulled up there as well.