Did you know you can be fined for not refuelling correctly?

Did you know you can be fined for not refuelling correctly? You read that right. Fuel is hitting record prices, and although from 1 April the 20-cent-per-litre refuelling bonus comes into force, it is essential not to take risks because, on top of paying expensive fuel, you could also end up with a fine.

If you don’t refuel correctly, the Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT) can fine you up to 100 euros. I don’t know about you, but it already hurts my wallet. Although last week fuel prices seemed to be stabilising, some petrol stations are raising their prices knowing that the bonus for drivers is about to start.

Currently, the average price of diesel is 1.87 euros per litre, while 95-octane petrol costs, on average, 1.84 euros per litre. In this situation, any measure that helps save fuel is very useful. Nevertheless, today we are going to give you some tips to avoid getting a fine while you fill up.

The DGT regulations say

If you don’t refuel your car correctly, you can receive a 100-euro fine from today at every petrol station in Spain. Article 115 of the Spanish Traffic Regulations states in its third point that “to load fuel into a vehicle’s tank, the engine must be switched off. The owners of fuel dispensing equipment or their employees may not supply fuel if the engine is not switched off and the vehicle’s lights, electrical systems such as the radio, and devices emitting electromagnetic radiation such as mobile phones are not turned off.”

This means that if you refuel in any way other than the one you have just read, you can be fined. You should do it this way not only because of the fine but also for your own safety. What is mandatory is that before refuelling you switch off the engine, the lights, the radio and the satnav. Remember not to use your smartphone while refuelling, something people have been seen doing at the pumps for many years.

The Directorate-General for Traffic is reminding drivers of these tips, because ignoring them can result in a fire or explosion. We must also not forget not to smoke or light matches or lighters inside the petrol station. If you follow all these tips you will avoid a fine and a refuelling that ends up costing you much more. Use your common sense!