Licences - storage of petroleum

Petrol stored in underground tanks

Stirling Council Trading Standards administer the granting of petroleum licences for both Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils.

The main type of premises required to hold a licence to keep petroleum spirit are -

  • retail petrol filling stations
  • non-retail petrol filling stations, that is, where petrol is stored in tanks and 'dispensed into the fuel tanks of internal combustion engines', but is not for sale. This could include contractors' premises, farms or private estates.

If you think you may need a petroleum licence, you can contact us by email or see the Contact Us page. Initially, we will arrange to visit the premises and advise you on the current requirements to meet licensable standards.  This is based on the current industry guidance* for the design of petrol installations.  If the proposed installation is suitable, we will then ask you to complete a simple application form and to supply the following –

  • a copy of a drawing showing details of the petrol installation
  • evidence of satisfactory tank and pipeline test certificates
  • evidence of a current satisfactory electrical inspection certificate covering any electrical equipment associated with the petrol installation
  • the appropriate fee.

Petroleum licences expire on 30th September each year, but are renewable for one, two or three year periods. The fee payable depends on the maximum storage capacity.
The current statutory fees (VAT exempt) are as follows:
       Up to 2,500 litres        £42 for each year
       2,501 - 50,000 litres    £58 for each year
       Over 50,000 litres       £120 for each year
       Transfer of licence      £8

For licence renewal purposes, tank and pipeline tests will not normally be required provided that the licensee can produce records of wetstock reconciliation.  In practice, this means keeping records of daily stock checks (either by manual dip readings or remote tank gauges) in order to keep a constant check on any stock losses from the tank.

* The current industry guidance is contained in the document 'Design, Modification, Maintenance and Decommissioning of Filling Stations' published jointly by the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration and the Energy Institute.

Download a Petroleum Licence application form here
Download a Renewal of Petroleum Licence form here
Download a Transfer of Petroleum Licence form here
Download a copy of the standard licence conditions (Stirling area)
Download a copy of the standard licence conditions (Clackmannanshire area)