Fuel drive-offs SMS or email

Driving off without paying for fuel is a Criminal Offence. 

Fuel Drive Offs happen for a variety of reasons, including being distracted at the pump and forgetting to pay before driving away. Most people realise this is an error and return immediately to pay.

From early October 2019, the Queensland Police Service is launching a SMS and email trial targeting vehicles involved in suspected Fuel Drive Offs.   Qld Police will send a SMS (text) or email to the owner of the vehicle advising of the suspected Fuel Drive Off.  Vehicle owners will be advised to contact the Service station to finalise payment immediately to avoid a fine and potential prosecution.

Our text or email will:

• display Qld Police as the sender of the SMS or email;
• show the date and time of the incident;
• provide the vehicle registration number;
• identify the Service station company name;
• advise you to contact the Service Station; and
• provide a website address for further information.

QPS messaging will never ask you to provide your bank account details, PayPal particulars, personal financial details or ask you to make direct payments. 

If you weren’t the driver of the vehicle at the time but know who was, you should contact that person, ask them to finalise payment immediately to avoid a fine and potential prosecution.

Please contact your local police station if:

• you think the text message was sent to you in error;
• you have proof of payment and believe this is an operator error;
• you no longer own the vehicle;
• your vehicle was stolen; or
• you don’t remember the service station you attended.

Please note that leaving a service station failing to pay for fuel is a criminal offence. It may end up costing a lot more in the long run. 

The QPS Fuel Drive Off Initiative is a QPS crime prevention and community awareness initiative.