How to pump your own petrol in Abu Dhabi, in practice

Pouring your own petrol is the norm around the world for many reasons, one of which is that when it works, the turnover is indeed faster.

Adnoc started self-service on Tuesday. The experience was a first for many of the country’s drivers. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

ABU DHABI // Those who are unaccustomed to the new self-service fuel system will meet it with resistance, confusion and honks of the horn.

Filling your own car is the norm around the world for many reasons, one of which is that when it works, it is faster than having someone do it for you.

Adnoc launched a pilot programme for self-service petrol stations on Tuesday, meaning many motorists in the capital filled their vehicles for the first time.

Typically at gas stations in Abu Dhabi, a single attendant is in charge of four pouring stations, which means that motorists will sometimes have to wait their turn after they have waited to reach the pump.

Under the self-service system, there is no waiting time from when the motorist is in position to pump.

To that extent, there are two self-service systems prevalent around the world.

In the “pay first, pour later” method, common in the US, motorists park their vehicle at a numbered pump, go to the till and ask for an amount of money on whatever numbered petrol pump is intended to be used. Upon returning to the vehicle, the pump is unlocked and pours the amount of petrol worth what the motorist has paid.

Alternatively, motorists can pay at the pump using credit cards prior to filling up.

The trust system, commonly found in Europe, is the same as that found in the US, but motorists pour to their heart’s content, and are either approached or go to the till and pay. The entire process is monitored by CCTV.

Then there is the smart system piloted here in the UAE, which in theory would be the best way to pour petrol. All one would have to do is touch a pre-paid card to a panel on the pump, and pour away.

The problem is, during the pilot period, that is not how it is shaping up.

After waiting in the queue, motorists at the pump will more often than not be greeted and walked through the process by one of the attendants.

The first step is to go to the pre-pay machine. There, motorists can pay using a card or cash, and receive a receipt with a pin code. The pin code is then used at the pump.

This means that users need to interact with two machines. The system, in theory, should be touch and go, but until then, the honks will get louder.