Petroleum Licences

Making sure all sites are licensed and store petrol safely

Why Do We Need to Licence Petroleum Spirit?

We need to licence petroleum spirit to make sure those keeping and dispensing petroleum do so in a safe manner that is unlikely to cause risk to the public or environment. For licensing purposes 'petroleum' is any product of crude petroleum which has a flashpoint below 21 degrees centigrade. It includes petrol, benzene and pentane but does not include white spirit, paraffin, diesel oil or fuel oils.

Who Needs a Petroleum Spirit Licence?

If you store between 15 litres and 275 litres of petroleum spirit then you need to notify us in writing.

If you store between 275 litres and 500,000 litres and you are in one of the two categories of work premises below then you need a Licence:

  • retail petrol filling stations, or
  • non retail petrol filling stations.

The latter includes commercial sites and farms if they have storage tanks for petrol and from which the petrol is dispensed, either mechanically or electrically, into the fuel tank for an internal combustion engine (note that this is a much wider definition than just a motor vehicle).

How Do I Apply for a Petroleum Spirit Licence?

You can complete an Petrol Licence Application Form (46KB) and return to Suffolk Trading Standards, alternatively you can apply online.

What if I don't hear from Suffolk County Council within the specified time?

It is in the public interest that Suffolk County Council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from Suffolk County Council within 14 calendar days of submitting your request., please contact us.

Contact the UK Welcomes service, if you applied through them.

Petrol Licensing Fees:

Petroleum spirit of a quantity-

  • Up to 2,500 litres £42 for each year of licence
  • 2,500 litres but not exceeding 50,000 litres £58 for each year of licence
  • 50,000 litres but not exceeding 500,000 litres £120 for each year of licence
  • Transfer of petroleum spirit licence £8
We now offer 3 year licences, at three times the stated prices.

Is there an appeal process?

Please contact Suffolk County Council in the first instance.

If an application is refused the applicant may appeal to the Secretary of State.

Consumer Complaint

If you as a private individual have a complaint about a business operating under this licence, please contact the trader in the first instance - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked and you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

To read more about Trading Standards visit our homepage.