Petrol stations face 60-day compliance deadline as licences come under scrutiny

South Africa’s petrol stations and other petroleum businesses have been given just 60 days to bring their licensing records and operations in line with new government regulations, with the threat of licence cancellations and criminal charges hanging over those that fail to comply, ***Cape {town} Etc ***reports.

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), under Minister Gwede Mantashe, has reportedly introduced new Compliance Regulations under the Petroleum Products Act of 1977. The measures require existing licence holders to verify their details, settle outstanding fees and provide updated information about their businesses.

The deadline, which falls in late December 2026, could have serious consequences for operators who ignore the requirements.
For motorists, the regulations raise questions about how the department intends to tighten oversight of the fuel industry and whether non-compliance could eventually affect petrol station operations.

What petrol station owners need to do

The new rules apply to active petroleum licence holders as well as applicants whose licences have been granted subject to outstanding conditions. Businesses must approach the relevant DMPR regional office to confirm that their licensing information is accurate and up to date.

Among the requirements are updated ownership records, corporate structures and operational contact details. Businesses that have undergone structural or status changes must also provide the supporting legal documentation.

Licence holders must formally confirm that their authorised activities remain active and operational, rather than simply retaining a licence for a business that is no longer functioning.

Outstanding annual licence fees must be paid in full, with proof of payment submitted to the department. Operators must also provide evidence of financial security to cover environmental rehabilitation obligations.

Reportedly, the department says the changes are intended to improve compliance, identify inactive or non-compliant licence holders, clean up its licensing records and recover unpaid fees.

The consequences of missing the deadline are particularly significant. According to the new regulations, the department can take enforcement action against businesses that fail to meet the requirements, including cancelling their licences.

There is also a criminal dimension. Contravening the Petroleum Products Act constitutes an offence under section 12 of the legislation. This means the 60-day period is more than an administrative exercise. Petrol station owners and other petroleum operators will need to ensure their paperwork, payments, and operational declarations are in order before the deadline expires.

Another regulatory battle over roadside businesses

The latest compliance drive comes amid wider concerns about government oversight of businesses operating along South Africa’s national roads. Earlier this year, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) published a draft policy covering rest and service facilities along national roads.

The proposed framework includes petrol stations, truck stops, restaurants, convenience stores and future facilities supporting electric vehicles and alternative fuels. However, business organisation Sakeliga raised objections, arguing that the draft could give SANRAL excessive influence over privately owned roadside businesses.

The organisation warned that the proposed policy could allow the roads agency to influence who operates businesses along national routes, introduce transformation requirements, impose levies and dictate aspects of their commercial structures. Sakeliga also questioned whether SANRAL has the legal authority to extend its powers in this way.

‘The road agency’s authority, as defined by the SANRAL Act, is restricted to the planning, financing, construction, operation, management, and maintenance of national roads.’

– Sakeliga.

It further argued that private businesses should not be subjected to SANRAL’s transformation framework when they are not contracted to the agency or spending public money.

The two developments involve different government bodies and pieces of legislation, but both point to an increasingly demanding regulatory environment for South Africa’s fuel and roadside business sectors.

For now, the immediate priority for petroleum licence holders is the DMPR’s December deadline. Those who have not checked their licensing records, outstanding payments and compliance documents may have little time left to put everything in order.

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**Picture: **Engin Akyurt / Pexels

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