A petrol (gas) station is to be set up for fully automated operation. A driver inputs his or her credit card into the pump, the card is verified by communication with a credit company computer and a fuel limit established. The driver may then take the fuel required and, on completion of delivery (when the pump hose is returned to its holster), the driver's credit account is debited with the cost of the fuel taken. The credit card is returned after debiting. If the card is invalid, it is returned by the pump with no fuel dispensed