The Democratic Alliance is adamant that consumers must be made more aware of the way in which the petrol price is calculated.

The cost of a litre of petrol rose by 61 cents a litre at midnight on Tuesday, the first increase since the fuel price dipped to under R6 a litre at the end of last year.

The DA?s Mineral and Energy spokesperson Hendrick Schmidt says there needs to be more transparency in terms of what taxes and levies comprise the price.

"The Department of Mineral Energy needs to indicate quite clearly and precisely how the basic fuel price is compiled. There's a certain set of costs which may eventually set up the basic fuel price."

Schmidt adds that the low crude oil prices should lower the price of fuel instead of driving it up.

"Any indication as to the fact that the exchange rate is the cause of the increase in the price of fuel, that cannot be correct," says the politician.