Why New Jersey Doesn’t Let People Pump Their Own Gas

New Jersey is the only state in the U.S. that doesn’t allow customers to pump their own gas — anywhere. There’s always an attendant on duty to pump gas for customers at these full-service stations.

Oregon is the only other state besides New Jersey with a full-service law. However, Oregon’s laws are far less strict and allow certain parts of the state to have self-service gas stations.

“It goes back to the middle of the 20th century,” said Patrick Murray, the director of the Monmouth Polling Institute. “There were forces involved who wanted to protect their interests in terms of the smaller gas owners against mega gas stations that were starting to be built at the time that would require self-service to be profitable.”

Historically, gas stations with attendants were popular in the first half of the 1900s. But by the 1970s, most states had switched over to customers pumping their own gas. As these changes swept the U.S., a state ban on self-service in 1949, known as the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act, stopped the Garden State from following suit. Oregon passed its own similar law in 1951.
In the original bill, the New Jersey state legislature cited safety concerns and rising costs to consumers as reasons to not transition over to self-service. But every time there’s a spike in gas prices, bills opposing full service start to pop up. Seen as a ‘political third rail’ by many politicians including Gov. Phil Murphy, it’s one of the few legislative debates that doesn’t follow party lines. Every bill has failed so far, but it hasn’t stopped self-serve advocacy groups and politicians from pushing for change.

Watch the video above to find out more about New Jersey’s full-service gas stations, why self-service options don’t find a home in the Garden State, and what’s next for its gas station owners.

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Why New Jersey Doesn’t Let People Pump Their Own Gas

[Flexin]

I’m from California and went to Jersey for business. When I pulled up to a gas station, someone knocked on the passenger side I rolled the window down and said “sorry I don’t have any change” I thought it was a homeless person. Little did i know 😂

[peartdahurt]

I'm born and raised in Jersey and about 10 years ago I went to PA and had to get gas. I waited about 5 minutes before realizing that I had to pump my own gas. After that I spent another 5 mins trying to figure how how to pump the gas but luckily someone pulled up and saw that my tags were from Jersey and was nice enough to help me out. I'm sure he was laughing at me on the inside. I felt so stupid being a 25 year old man not knowing how to pump gas 😂😂

[jamielancaster]

I dated a girl from New Jersey & she didn’t know how to pump gas. I taught her how and she loved pumping her own gas. We’ve been married for 22 years & she doesn’t find any joy in pumping gas anymore🤣

[pugman]

As a young person, back in the 1950's, I used to pump gas as a P/T job. If the customer wanted a full tank, they got full service. We checked the radiator water and the oil level. We also checked the air pressure in the tires if requested. And we always cleaned the front windshield ! We were paid 85 cents an hour.

[FinancialShinanigan]

I'm sure gas stations will raise prices even after getting rid of gas attendants

[JETZcorp]

I'm from Oregon, which was all full-service until very recently, and the urban areas still are. The worst part about it is trying to get gas at night. 95% of stations are closed because they couldn't do enough business to justify the employee. One night it took me 20 minutes to find an open gas station, and I was very worried I was going to run out. When I moved across the river to Washington, boom, almost every station is 24/7. I've also had the experience when the gas station attendant is also the convenience store counter guy, and he just would rather sell cigarettes inside than to come out in the cold and rain.

I much prefer self serve.

[michaelgates]

I was stationed in Toms River, NJ in the early 90's and had a '68 Camaro, when the attendant started yelling at me when I got out to fuel my car. It took a minute to realize what was going on because he was foreign and didn't speak English. He couldn't figure out where my gas recepticle was, so I did it myself. For those of you that are unaware, the gas recepticle is behind the license plate.

[FifteenthApollo]

Good for him. His statement was "people would lose a lot of jobs..." not "my company would save so much in labor costs!" BLESS THIS MAN.

[MrBrewman]

0:55 the most shocking thing about this video is that guy is 86 and could pass for someone in his sixties. 😂

[jojopuppyfish]

I was in NJ once and went to pump the gas myself. Lady came out and said she had to do it. I apologized politely and remembered I was in NJ.
Then she started telling me only professionals can pump gas and I actually laughed out loud at her. Then I asked he to clean my windshield and she said no.

[romy]

I went to NJ once and pumped my own gas and the attendant came over and was just hovering … I thought I was gonna be kidnapped I didn’t know what was going on … after I left a few weeks later I learned they were supposed to pump it 😂 I felt so silly

[KennyPang]

Why not offer both?

Have half full service and the other self service.

[frankihauser]

My father had a full service gas station when I was a kid. I was 10 when he got his first one. I am an only child, and a daughter to a guy that desperately wanted a son. Needless to say, I was a daddy's girl and a tom boy. I worked at his gas station. In the beginning, I had to pump gas, wash windshields, and check oil for every customer, and I also had to make sure the bathrooms were clean. It wasn't the tasks as much as it was the environment that was beneficial. Daddy encouraged my interest (and it gave the over-protective one an opportunity to keep his eye on me) . Before I left home, 8 years later, I could handle all aspects of running the gas station. I did the bookkeeping, logistics, customer service, and even learned how to work on cars. The understanding that I got there, came in handy more than a few times, in my adult life.

[rodmod]

I have a quite a funny story, I was teaching my cousin how to pump gas somewhere in Ohio. And a employee came out of no where and asked if everything is alright, need help? I said no thanks, I'm teaching him [Cousin] how to fuel because he never used the pump before. Yet that employee was still standing nearby, I found it odd, however I didn't mind. After cleaning the windshield I suddenly realized why he was standing there, the van had New Jersey plates on it. I laughed and turned to the employee saying that "I think because of the plates you assume we don't know how to pump gas?" He nodded and said yes, I told him I'm from PA, so I know what I'm doing. He smiled and left. I still laugh about it sometimes.

[ianbattles]

Meanwhile, i've been pumping my own gas for 25 years; *I should sue these companies for decades of unpaid wages!!!*

[jerzgirl]

I'm a Jersey girl, and I approve this message!

[gabriellewilson]

I don’t know who need to hear this but stop relying on the government and savings. Invest some of your money if you want financial freedom

[tonyl]

Having a gas attendant helps me, I’m handicapped & getting the wheelchair out of the van is a real problem! I wish more gas stations across the country have at least one lane for full service.

[grafando]

It's shocking to me full grown adults are fighting for the government to force private businesses to have someone pump your gas, which is such a simple, fast, and easy task. It's really crazy that anyone convinces themselves it's necessary at all.

[montellanojavelosa]

I'm originally from PA now living in NJ. one day I pulled up to a gas station was waiting a long time. I was in a rush and losing my patience and started to pump my own gas. the employee didn't even bother me as I'm sure the feeling was mutual. he was overwhelmed and I'm sure he appreciated my help...