Police officers are issuing an increasing number of fines at petrol stations for the illegal transport of fuel in jerry cans and other containers. Drivers, fearing further price hikes, are breaking the law to fill up 'for reserve'. Violations can result in a financial penalty of up to 3,000 zloty. Regulations detail the conditions and quantities under which fuel can be transported outside a vehicle's fuel tank. Interventions by the authorities are becoming more frequent.
High Penalties for Improper Transport
Violating regulations concerning fuel transport can result in a fine of up to 3,000 zloty. Officers are controlling drivers at petrol stations, issuing an increasing number of such penalties.
Fuel 'for Reserve' Breaks the Law
The main reason for interventions is filling fuel into portable jerry cans and other containers to create reserves. This behavior stems from fears of further price increases at stations.
Detailed Conditions for Legal Transport
The law permits the transport of specific, limited quantities of liquid fuels in appropriate containers. The allowable amount is 25 liters of petrol or 50 liters of diesel, provided a series of safety requirements are met.
Increased Activity of Authorities
The number of police checks at petrol stations has increased, leading to a higher number of fines being issued. Officers respond to reports and themselves monitor suspicious driver behavior.
At Polish petrol stations, police report increased activity, issuing drivers fines for improper fuel transport. The main reason for interventions is the violation of regulations by individuals who, wanting to protect themselves against further price increases, are filling fuel 'for reserve' into portable jerry cans or other containers. Such practices can result in a financial penalty, which may reach up to 3,000 zloty. According to the law, transporting fuel outside a vehicle's standard tank is only permitted under strictly defined conditions and limits. These rules were established to ensure road safety and protection against hazards such as fire or explosion. Violation of these regulations constitutes an offense for which the police can impose a fine via a penalty ticket. Regulations governing the transport of dangerous materials, including liquid fuels, on Polish roads are based on international agreements, such as ADR (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road), which was adopted under the auspices of the United Nations in 1957. Poland ratified this agreement in 1975, and its provisions are implemented into the national legal order, including through the Road Traffic Law and executive regulations. According to current regulations, up to 25 liters of petrol or 50 liters of diesel can be transported without additional permits. The fuel must be in appropriate, purpose-designed, and securely closed jerry cans. Furthermore, these containers must be secured against tipping over and moving during travel. Particularly important is the prohibition on transporting fuel in the trunk of a passenger car, unless it is separated from the passenger compartment by a fixed partition. Officers also pay attention to the refueling method – pouring fuel into a jerry can cannot be done with the vehicle's engine running. During a check, the driver must be able to prove that the transported substance is fuel and not another, potentially more dangerous material. 3000 zł — maximum fine amount The increase in the number of fines results from a combination of two factors: increased vigilance by the authorities and the behavior of drivers themselves, driven by economic fears. Uncertainty about future prices at stations, fueled by volatility in the commodity market, prompts some road users to take legal risks. Police, receiving reports from station staff or other drivers, respond to these actions. It is worth noting that the penalties do not only apply to passenger car drivers but also to users of other vehicles who may attempt to create illegal fuel reserves. These regulations are preventive and protective in nature, and their enforcement aims to minimize the real threat to public safety that can arise from the improper transport of flammable materials in ordinary road traffic.