How to Prepay and Pump Petrol Smoothly in Florida

Petrol stations in Florida work a little differently from what you may be used to in the UK. Most require you to prepay before the pump will activate. If your card doesn’t work at the pump — which is common for international cards — just head inside, tell the cashier your pump number, and prepay an amount. Any unused balance is refunded automatically when you’re done.

Pump layouts can vary between brands, so take a moment to double‑check you’re selecting the correct fuel grade. In the US, Regular is the standard option (usually 87 octane), and it’s what most rental cars use. Premium is only needed if your rental agreement specifically says so.

If the pump doesn’t start after paying, don’t stress. Simply pop back inside, give them your pump number again, and they’ll reset it. Staff are used to helping visitors and won’t bat an eyelid.