Self-service: I paid, but no fuel came out

A temporary authorisation, the final charge and fuel dispensing may appear at different times. Keep the receipt and pump details before trying again.

Check what happened to the payment

Check the display on the pump and payment terminal: your card may receive a pre-authorisation that differs from the final amount, or the transaction may have been declined before any fuel was dispensed. Check your banking app to see whether the transaction is pending or settled, but do not immediately treat a temporary entry as a final charge. The process depends on the payment system and card issuer.

Note the filling station, pump number, time, selected fuel and amount displayed. Keep the receipt or error message, and photograph the information only if you can do so without exposing payment details or breaching site instructions. Do not share your full card number, security codes or login details with anyone who contacts you informally.

Contact the operator before trying again

Call the number shown on the pump or ask a member of staff. Explain that the payment was accepted but dispensing did not start, and provide the transaction reference without sharing secret codes. The attendant can check the pump status and tell you whether you can restart the process or should wait for the authorisation to be reversed.

Do not pay a second time until you know whether the first transaction is only a pre-authorisation or a completed purchase. If the terminal is unattended and you cannot reach the operator, move to a safe place and use the official support channel. Do not tamper with the terminal or try to activate the pump manually.

If the charge remains settled

After allowing time for the bank to update, check whether the amount has settled or been reversed. If a charge remains but no fuel was dispensed, submit a complaint to the operator with the date, time, station, pump and receipts. If the issue concerns the card charge, also contact your bank or card issuer through official channels and ask what documents are needed to dispute the transaction.

A card pre-authorisation may remain visible even if you received no fuel, then be reversed by the bank. Check whether the transaction is pending or settled; note the pump, time and amount, and ask the operator about its status before paying again. If the final charge remains, dispute it with the receipt and details.

Quiz Patente Ufficiale offers theory chapters, timed test quizzes and error review; for a payment issue at a filling station, contact the operator and your bank.