Petrol stations get 60 days to comply or lose their licence
Licensed petrol stations have 60 days to update their records, pay outstanding licence fees and prove they are trading, or face licence cancellation under new Petroleum Products Act rules.
Every licensed petrol station in South Africa now has 60 days to prove it is still trading, pay any licence fees it owes and update its records with government, or risk losing its licence.
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe gazetted new compliance regulations under the Petroleum Products Act, TopAuto reported on 30 October. The rules apply to all active licence holders, not only forecourts, and the deadline falls in late December 2026, according to the same report.
Will your local petrol station close?
Not because of this notice alone. The regulations are about paperwork and fees, and a station that submits what is asked keeps its licence. The department says the aim is to clean up its licensing database, find licences that are inactive or not complying, and collect outstanding fees, according to TopAuto.
The risk is for owners who ignore it. Mantashe said non-compliance will lead to enforcement, including cancelling licences, and that breaking the rules is a criminal offence under section 12 of the Petroleum Products Act (TopAuto). BusinessTech listed the deadline among its five big stories on 31 October, which is why "filling station" was trending on Google in South Africa on Saturday morning.
Neither report gives a number for how many licences could be cancelled.
What do licence holders have to submit?
According to the TopAuto summary of the gazette, every existing licensee must verify its details at the regional office named on its licence certificate and hand in:
- updated ownership, company structure and contact details
- documents backing up any change to the company's structure or status
- a signed declaration that the licensed business is still operating
- proof that all outstanding annual licence fees are paid
- proof of financial security for environmental rehabilitation
Applicants whose licence was "granted" with conditions must also meet those conditions within the same window.
Where do owners send the documents?
To the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) regional office, regional email address or contact person linked to their licence, TopAuto reports.
The department's petroleum licensing page has the annual information forms. Retail sites use form DMPR-33, wholesalers DMPR-30 and manufacturers DMPR-37. The DMPR head office in Pretoria can be reached on 012 444 3000 or [email protected], as listed on its website.
Does this change what you pay for petrol?
No. The notice deals with licences, not prices. Pump prices are still set monthly by the department, and the next adjustment takes effect on Wednesday, 4 November. Reported has the November fuel price changes per litre and per tank.
FAQ
How long do petrol stations have to comply?
60 days. TopAuto reports the deadline falls in late December 2026.
What happens if a petrol station doesn't comply?
The minister said non-compliance will lead to enforcement, including licence cancellation, and is a criminal offence under section 12 of the Petroleum Products Act.
Will petrol prices change because of this?
No. The rules deal with licences and fees. Fuel prices are still adjusted monthly, with the next change on 4 November 2026.
Which form do retail petrol stations use?
Retail licence holders use the DMPR-33 annual information submission form, available on the DMPR petroleum licensing page.