Motorists are being alerted to a little-known regulation at Tesco petrol stations which could catch drivers out the next time they visit.
The supermarket chain has strict rules in place that permit customers to fill only two portable containers per visit, with a maximum combined capacity of 30 litres.
The regulation, which has caught drivers out in the past, applies to all Tesco fuel stations across the country.
The supermarket’s guidelines specify strict requirements for the types of containers that can be used when purchasing fuel.
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Tesco has called on drivers to abide by the rules at its petrol stations
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Only authorised plastic or metal containers are permitted at Tesco petrol stations. Plastic containers are limited to a maximum capacity of 10 litres and metal containers can hold up to 20 litres of fuel.
These specific container limits ensure customers stay within the overall 30-litre combined capacity restriction per visit.
A Tesco spokesperson said: “Under the Petroleum Consolidation Regulations, we are required to have a policy in place to ensure the safe use of portable fuel containers at our petrol stations.
“Our policy is that only two portable containers (with a maximum combined capacity of 30 litres) may be filled on each visit by a customer.”
Drivers must ensure that all portable fuel containers when they visit a Tesco petrol station must meet specific labelling requirements.
Containers must be clearly marked with the words “Petrol” and “Highly flammable,” alongside a hazard warning sign. The capacity in litres must be displayed on each container.
Additional mandatory information includes the manufacturer’s name and the date and month of manufacture.
These labelling requirements are part of Tesco’s comprehensive safety measures for fuel container usage.
READ MORE: Labour scraps driving laws designed to help Britons with petrol station chaos amid fuel crisis fears
The supermarket has also highlighted important storage regulations for private individuals.
“The maximum amount that can be legally stored by a private individual, without formally notifying the Petroleum Enforcement Authority is 30 litres,” a Tesco spokesperson said.
The warning from Tesco comes just weeks after Labour announced it would not be moving forward with rule changes that could potentially protect Britons from a future fuel crisis.
It followed a consultation in 2023 which questioned whether the weight of fuel tankers should be raised to allow for more fuel to be transported during times of instability with the supply chain.
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Drivers have been reminded of the rules when shopping at a Tesco filling station
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The proposals suggested that temporary exemptions could be made to allow the current maximum train weight for fuel tanker to rise from 44 tonnes to eithere 48 or 50 tonnes.
Despite the potential benefits during future fuel shortages, the Government announced that it would “no longer proceed with this proposal”.
