Carrying fuel in containers - the legality

Dr Strangeglove · May 28, 2021

Could anyone tell me the legalities of carrying spare fuel in containers please. I want to get a Jerry can but not sure what is permitted and what is breaking the law.

This will be for diesel.

I was going to buy a 20l can but not sure if 10l is the maximum, yet 20l cans are for sale and I can't see that being for storage at home!

I have tried the search but it brings up results for auxiliary v Jerry can or Jerry can storage.

As always, thanks in advance for your help.

Mick

Dippypud · May 28, 2021

Dr Strangeglove said:
Could anyone tell me the legalities of carrying spare fuel in containers please. I want to get a Jerry can but not sure what is permitted and what is breaking the law.

This will be for diesel.

I was going to buy a 20l can but not sure if 10l is the maximum, yet 20l cans are for sale and I can't see that being for storage at home!

I have tried the search but it brings up results for auxiliary v Jerry can or Jerry can storage.

As always, thanks in advance for your help.

Mick

Does the petrol in the fuel tank of my car count towards the total I can store?
No – the petrol in the fuel tank of your vehicle, including boats and aircraft, does not count when you are calculating the total amount you are storing.

How much petrol can I store on a vehicle?
You can store up to 30 litres of petrol in a maximum of 2 suitable containers in your vehicle. For the purpose of these Regulations a 'vehicle' is interpreted as any type of vehicle so includes boats, aircraft and hovercraft. This type of storage counts towards the total you can store at non workplace premises. Carriage of petrol is covered by the Carriage of Dangerous Goods (CDG) and the European agreement (ADR).

CDG – Can private individuals carry petrol?

https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petrol-storage-club-association.htm

https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petroleum.htm

derwendolly · May 28, 2021

Just a word of warning. A number of years ago there was an accident on the M4 near Hungerford in Berkshire during foggy conditions. Vehicle after vehicle piled into each other and a massive fire broke out with much loss of life. It was later discovered that one of the vehicles had been carrying containers full of volatile liquids.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_M4_motorway_crash

doriz · May 28, 2021

derwendolly said:
Just a word of warning. A number of years ago there was an accident on the M4 near Hungerford in Berkshire during foggy conditions. Vehicle after vehicle piled into each other and a massive fire broke out with much loss of life. It was later discovered that one of the vehicles had been carrying containers full of 'spare' fuel.

I shared a lift from Germany for work and the daft sod driving had filled 5x 25ltr drums with duty free diesel just to save a few quid whilst on a 5 week course

needless to say the customs pulled us in as the car was low at the rear. Iirc the daft sod had also brought back loads of rolling tobacco too which was all piled on the roof during the search

Beneagles · May 28, 2021

derwendolly said:
Just a word of warning. A number of years ago there was an accident on the M4 near Hungerford in Berkshire during foggy conditions. Vehicle after vehicle piled into each other and a massive fire broke out with much loss of life. It was later discovered that one of the vehicles had been carrying containers full of volatile liquids.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_M4_motorway_crash

Wasn't that what led to the change in the law? It used to be that you needed an ADR ticket to carry fuel in a tanker, but could put unlimited containers in a pick-up with no questions asked!

Petrol stations usually have stickers up indicating the maximum amount of fuel that can be bought in containers, and the standard of container required.

Gamekeepers, it must be said, are a law unto them selves .....around here

flat · May 28, 2021

20l container must be metal iirc

kermit_rr · May 28, 2021

Only every looked up about petrol, but i recall diesel being different?

derwendolly · May 28, 2021

kermit_rr said:
Only every looked up about petrol, but i recall diesel being different?

Does it make any difference - if the liquid is volatile then they are all prone to the same risks??

kermit_rr · May 28, 2021

derwendolly said:
Does it make any difference - if the liquid is volatile then they are all prone to the same risks??

Diesel doesn't burn as easily as petrol. Even I'd chuck a match on spilt diesel

kermit_rr · May 28, 2021

Don't forget many homes have 1500L heating oil with no special license etc

derwendolly · May 28, 2021

kermit_rr said:
Diesel doesn't burn as easily as petrol. Even I'd chuck a match on spilt diesel

I have no idea, I just know that even a small risk is one I wouldn't take. I'm nervous enough carrying the 2x 5l containers for the lawn mowers in my car for the short 6 mile journey.

derwendolly · May 28, 2021

kermit_rr said:
Don't forget many homes have 1500L heating oil with no special license etc

Yes, I have a 2000l tank BUT there are additional measures taken to give more protection- double bunded, annual safety certification, site safety etc. and the absence of moving traffic anywhere near it does help, although I do sometimes wonder if anyone is safe from the low-flying jet trainers which make frequent visits over mine!

kermit_rr · May 28, 2021

The safety around home heating oil is more from the environmental perspective.
Diesel is not a flammable petroleum spirit.
As for petrol, it's much safer in a certified/stamped metal Jerry can then in a lawn mower, bike etc.
In my opinion, a full can is safer than an empty one, the vapour is the more dangerous stuff

flat · May 28, 2021

This is your other option.....

kermit_rr · May 28, 2021

flat said:
This is your other option.....

I'm not sure what's worse, the woman doing, or the person filming and not acting

derwendolly · May 28, 2021

flat said:
This is your other option.....

That is unbelievable.

Avocet1 · May 28, 2021

derwendolly said:
Yes, I have a 2000l tank BUT there are additional measures taken to give more protection- double bunded, annual safety certification, site safety etc. and the absence of moving traffic anywhere near it does help, although I do sometimes wonder if anyone is safe from the low-flying jet trainers which make frequent visits over mine!

That and the fact it's quite hard to crash a house!

flat · May 28, 2021

derwendolly said:
That is unbelievable.

Yeah I know right

Jam1 · May 28, 2021

Avocet1 said:
That and the fact it's quite hard to crash a house!

Not if it's a house party!..

......I'll get my coat

derwendolly · May 28, 2021

Avocet1 said:
That and the fact it's quite hard to crash a house!

Except mine is a bungalow! Sitting in its own plot of land seems to make attractive for 'target' practice!

Carrying fuel in containers - the legality

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