Fuel Finder scheme launches today - how drivers can check for cheaper fuel

From today (Monday, 2 February 2026), all petrol stations in the UK must report any fuel price changes within 30 minutes of putting them in place. This is part of the Government’s new Fuel Finder scheme, designed to help drivers compare fuel prices in real time and avoid paying more than they should. Forecourts must now send updated prices straight to a national database, which feeds into the Fuel Finder website and other price‑comparison tools.

The rule aims to stop garages hiding high prices and should help drivers find cheaper pumps nearby. Some retailers were already reporting prices voluntarily, but it is now a legal requirement for all petrol stations.

What is the Fuel Finder scheme?

Fuel Finder is a government‑backed open‑data system that collects fuel prices from every petrol station in the UK. Stations have to report the price of each fuel type they sell. If they change a price, they must update the system within 30 minutes.

The data is then shared with the public mainly through third‑party apps and comparison tools. The goal is to help drivers see accurate fuel prices before they travel so they can choose the best deal.

How drivers can check fuel prices

There are already tons of apps and comparison sites plugged in to the official Fuel Finder data feed, making it easy to check prices using your favourite app.

Sites like GoCompare and Confused.com have a live built-in tool, and there are also new options on the market like Fuel Finder UK (not an official government app as there isn't one), and PetrolPrices.com.

We tested a couple of options and found them quick and easy to use. In most cases, all you need to do is fill out your post code or tap “find my location” to find fuel near you, with live prices.

Why this is good news for motorists

The change comes with all sorts of benefits for drivers. Here are just a few.

More transparency and fairer prices

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that fuel prices were not always passed on to drivers fairly, and that weak competition in some areas kept prices high. Fuel Finder aims to fix this by making prices public and easy to compare.

Helps cut costs for households

By seeing the cheapest local pump, drivers can avoid inflated prices. Early estimates suggest the scheme could help households save up to £40 a year.

Puts pressure on expensive stations

When prices are visible, high‑priced stations risk losing customers. This pushes retailers to keep prices competitive and update them more fairly when wholesale costs change.

Real‑time updates mean fewer surprises at the pump

Stations must report changes within 30 minutes, and the government’s system updates quickly. This means drivers get up‑to‑date, reliable information rather than old or guessed prices.

Key takeaways

• From 2 February 2026, all UK petrol stations must report fuel price changes within 30 minutes.
• The new Fuel Finder scheme shows real‑time petrol and diesel prices through a government data feed used by websites and apps.
• Drivers can use comparison tools and apps to check the cheapest local fuel.
• The system aims to boost competition and fix long‑standing issues where drivers struggled to compare prices fairly.
• The change could help households save around £40 a year by avoiding higher‑priced forecourts.