As of 2 February 2026, all UK petrol stations are legally required to report their fuel prices to a government database within 30 minutes of any change. This landmark legislation marks the biggest shake-up in fuel retail transparency in decades – and it's great news for drivers.
8,300
UK forecourts now reporting
30 min
Maximum reporting time
£40
Average annual savings
What is the Fuel Finder Scheme?
The Fuel Finder Scheme requires every petrol station in the UK – from supermarket giants to independent forecourts – to submit their current fuel prices to an open government database. This data is then made freely available to apps, sat-navs, and websites like Fuelwise.
Previously, sharing price data was entirely voluntary. Many retailers chose not to participate, leaving significant gaps in coverage. Now, with mandatory reporting, drivers have access to comprehensive, real-time pricing across all 8,300 UK forecourts.
Why Was This Law Introduced?
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recommended this scheme after years of investigating UK fuel prices. Their findings were damning:
- Weak competition – Many areas had limited price competition between stations
- High margins – Retailer profits were "persistently high" compared to historical norms
- "Rocket and feather" pricing – Prices rose quickly when wholesale costs increased, but fell slowly when costs dropped
- Regional disparities – Drivers in some areas consistently paid 15-20p more per litre
"We hope this is the start of the journey to cheaper fuel prices around the UK. The Government has set up this scheme with the intention of increasing competition among retailers to give drivers better value at the pumps."— Simon Williams, RAC Head of Policy
How Does It Work?
The system is elegantly simple. Whenever a petrol station changes its prices, it must report the new figures to the government's Fuel Finder database within 30 minutes. This open-source data is then distributed to fuel comparison services.
Station Changes Price
Forecourt updates pump prices for petrol or diesel
30 Minute Window
Retailer must submit new price to government database
Data Shared Openly
Apps, sat-navs, and websites receive updated prices
Drivers Compare & Save
You find the cheapest fuel near you in seconds
What This Means for You
The practical impact for drivers is significant. You can now:
- Trust the data – Prices shown on Fuelwise are accurate and up-to-date
- Compare everywhere – No more hidden stations with better prices
- Spot outliers – Easily identify overpriced forecourts
- Plan ahead – Check prices before your journey starts
Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated the scheme could save the average household £40 per year. For high-mileage drivers or those with multiple vehicles, savings could be considerably higher.
Spot a Discrepancy?
If you notice a difference between the price shown on an app and what you see at the forecourt, you can report it via the government's Fuel Finder website. This helps keep retailers accountable.
Current Fuel Prices
As this scheme launches, petrol prices are at their lowest since July 2021. According to RAC data, the average UK price currently stands at:
- Unleaded petrol: 131.91p per litre
- Diesel: 140.97p per litre
However, these are averages. The cheapest stations are selling petrol below 125p, while some motorway services charge over 160p. That 35p difference on a 50-litre fill costs you £17.50 – which is exactly why price comparison matters.
A Brief History
The push for fuel price transparency has been years in the making:
- 2022 – CMA launches road fuel market study amid record prices
- 2023 – Conservatives first propose mandatory price reporting
- 2024 – Labour government confirms scheme in Autumn Budget
- 2 February 2026 – Fuel Finder Scheme becomes law
The Bottom Line
This legislation is a genuine win for drivers. For the first time, you have complete visibility of fuel prices across the entire UK. No more guessing, no more overpaying, no more driving past a cheaper station you didn't know existed.
At Fuelwise, we've been committed to helping drivers find the best fuel prices since day one. This new law supercharges what we do – giving us access to comprehensive, reliable data that lets you save money on every fill-up.
Ready to see what you could save? Search for the cheapest fuel near you.