Where is it illegal to pump your own gas in the United States?

New Jersey is currently the only U.S. state where drivers are not allowed to pump their own gasoline. Oregon, which enforced a similar ban for decades, ended its statewide prohibition in 2023 and now permits self-service under specific conditions while still requiring attended service options.

New Jersey remains the last holdout

In New Jersey, the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act prohibits customers from dispensing gasoline themselves at retail stations. Attendants are required to operate the pumps, a system rooted in mid-20th century safety concerns and maintained through policy choices emphasizing fire safety, job preservation, and assistance for customers who may need help.

How New Jersey’s rules work

The following points outline how the restriction generally applies across New Jersey’s gas stations and what motorists can expect at the pump.

• Drivers are not permitted to pump their own gasoline; station attendants must operate the pump.
• Stations are required to provide attended service and typically display signage reflecting the prohibition on self-service.
• Violations can result in enforcement actions and civil penalties for stations that fail to comply.
• The prohibition focuses on gasoline; diesel fueling is commonly permitted as self-service at many locations.
• Attendants are expected to assist customers who request help, including those with disabilities.

Together, these provisions standardize a full-service model for gasoline across the state, with limited exceptions and a long-standing emphasis on safety and service.

Oregon changed course in 2023

Oregon ended its long-standing restrictions in August 2023, when House Bill 2426 was signed into law. Self-service is now allowed statewide, but stations must still accommodate customers who prefer or need attended fueling, preserving a hybrid model in most communities.

What Oregon’s updated law requires

These are the key elements of Oregon’s current approach to fueling, which blends self-serve with continued access to attendants.

• Self-service gasoline is permitted statewide; customers may legally pump their own fuel.
• Stations are required to offer attended service alongside self-service in most areas, ensuring help is available.
• Rules limit how many pumps can be designated self-serve at a given site to maintain staffed options.
• Price parity rules prevent charging more for attended service than for self-service at the same station and grade.

The result is a dual-option system: drivers who want to pump their own gas may do so, while those who prefer assistance can still rely on attendants.

Why these rules exist

Self-service bans originated decades ago amid concerns about fire risk, liability, vapor exposure, and equipment misuse. Over time, improved safety standards, automatic shut-off nozzles, and stronger regulations shifted the risk calculus. Oregon adapted its rules to reflect those changes; New Jersey has thus far opted to keep its full-service model statewide.

Practical advice for drivers

If you’re traveling and unsure of local rules, the following tips can help you avoid confusion at the pump, especially in New Jersey.

• In New Jersey, remain in your vehicle or wait by the pump; an attendant will handle the nozzle and fueling.
• Tell the attendant your fuel grade and payment method before fueling begins.
• Look for signage indicating full-service procedures, especially regarding payment and receipts.
• If you drive a diesel vehicle in New Jersey, check posted instructions; self-service for diesel is commonly allowed.
• In Oregon and most other states, you may pump your own gas; attendants may still be available to assist if needed.

Following posted instructions and local customs will usually ensure a smooth, compliant fueling experience wherever you are.

Outlook and legislative context

Efforts to legalize self-service in New Jersey have surfaced periodically but have not passed as of 2025. Industry groups, labor considerations, and public sentiment continue to shape the debate. For now, New Jersey remains the only state mandating full-service for gasoline.

Summary

Only New Jersey bans drivers from pumping their own gasoline; Oregon ended its prohibition in 2023 and now allows self-service alongside attended options. Travelers should expect full-service gasoline in New Jersey and mixed or self-serve models elsewhere in the United States.

Why can’t you pump your own gas in Oregon and New Jersey?

You can’t pump your own gas in New Jersey because its ban on self-service gas began in 1949 to protect jobs and prevent harm, although its origins were also influenced by efforts to limit price competition. Oregon previously had a similar ban for job creation and safety reasons but fully legalized self-service in 2023, leaving only New Jersey with a complete prohibition on drivers pumping their own fuel. 
New Jersey

• Job Creation: The law was enacted to preserve jobs for gas station attendants. 
• Safety Concerns: The ban has been supported by arguments related to public safety, including concerns about potential accidents, fire hazards, and the effects of gasoline fumes. 
• Historical Context: The ban was passed in 1949, partly as a way to thwart the growth of self-service gas stations that threatened the business of existing gas stations. 
• Public Opinion: Despite ongoing debates, polls have shown that a significant portion of New Jersey residents favor maintaining the full-service policy. 

Oregon

• Job Creation: Opens in new tabThe original law in 1951 aimed to create jobs during a time of high unemployment in the state. 
• Safety Concerns: Opens in new tabWorries about fire safety and other dangers also contributed to the ban, which included concerns about leaving unattended children at the pump. 
• Shift to Self-Service: Opens in new tabIn 2023, Oregon voted to lift its ban, allowing for self-service at gas stations. 

In 2025, New Jersey remains the only state in the U.S. that prohibits drivers from pumping their own gas.

What happens if you pump your own gas in New Jersey?

If you pump your own gas in New Jersey, you will be acting illegally, and the gas station owner or attendant is legally responsible for preventing it and can be fined. While drivers are usually not ticketed directly, the law is enforced by citing the gas station for allowing self-service. 
What the Law Says

• The state’s Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act of 1949 bans self-service gas, making it unlawful for customers to pump their own gas. 
• The law is designed to ensure safety through professional handling of fuel and provides a luxury service for customers. 

Who Gets the Penalty

• If a customer is caught pumping their own gas, the gas station attendant or owner is the one who is cited for the violation. 
• For a first offense, a penalty of $50 to $250 can be issued, with subsequent offenses potentially incurring up to a $500 fine. 

Why the Law Still Exists

• New Jersey is the only state in the U.S. that does not allow self-service gas. 
• While there are ongoing legislative efforts to allow self-service options, a bill to allow drivers the choice to pump their own gas failed to get enough votes in 2022 and has faced resistance from residents and some politicians. 
• Some New Jersey residents enjoy the service of having an attendant pump their gas, even in cold weather, and some believe it creates jobs and offers convenience, according to a YouTube video. 

Why is it illegal to top off gas in Oregon?

It’s no longer illegal to “top off” gas in Oregon because the ban on self-service refueling was lifted in August 2023, allowing drivers to pump their own gas. Prior to this, the practice was discouraged because it could cause harmful spills, damage vapor recovery equipment, and release pollutants into the air. 
Why topping off was prohibited in Oregon:

• Environmental reasons: Topping off a gas tank can cause fuel to drip and spill, which releases harmful gasoline vapors and other pollutants into the environment. 
• Vehicle damage: Overfilling can damage a vehicle’s onboard refueling vapor recovery system, specifically the charcoal canister, which is designed to capture fuel vapors. A damaged system can lead to a lit check-engine light and prevent proper vapor recovery. 
• Equipment malfunction: Gas stations have vapor recovery systems to capture fuel vapors. “Topping off” can cause these systems to malfunction by saturating the charcoal canister. 

The current situation in Oregon:

• Self-service is now allowed: In August 2023, Oregon’s 72-year-old ban on self-service gas stations was lifted by the governor, allowing customers to pump their own fuel. 
• Focus on responsible refueling: Because customers can now pump their own gas, the focus has shifted to informing them about proper refueling practices to avoid spills and damage. 

In what state is it illegal to run out of gas?

It’s illegal to run out of gas in Youngstown, Ohio
There are often-reprinted lists of the strangest driving laws in all 50 states.