Why You Can’t Pump Your Own Gas in New Jersey

Because New Jersey law prohibits customer self-service at gasoline pumps statewide. Under the state’s Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act and its regulations, only trained attendants may dispense gasoline. Diesel fuel is generally exempt and may be self-served where stations allow it. As of 2025, New Jersey is the only U.S. state with a comprehensive ban on self-serve gasoline, and no change has taken effect to lift it.

What the Law Says

New Jersey’s prohibition dates to 1949 and is enforced through the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act and Regulations (codified in state statute and administrative code). In practice, that means motorists cannot operate gasoline pumps themselves; a station employee must handle dispensing. Regulators have long cited fire safety, hazardous materials handling, and consumer protection as the rationale.

Why the Ban Exists

When the rules were adopted, gasoline vapor ignition risks, static electricity, and inconsistent safety practices were major concerns. The state argued trained attendants would reduce fires, ensure engines are turned off, manage spills, and control cellphone and smoking risks. Over time, job preservation and service accessibility—for example, help for drivers who can’t easily leave their vehicles—have also been part of the political case for keeping the system.

Exceptions and Edge Cases

While the rule covers gasoline, there are notable nuances that affect what you can do at the pump depending on the fuel and situation.

• Gasoline: Only station attendants may dispense; customers are not permitted to operate the nozzle or pump controls.
• Diesel: Diesel is typically exempt from the self-serve prohibition because it’s classified differently for fire safety. Many New Jersey stations allow customers to pump diesel themselves, though individual station policies vary.
• Motorcycles: The gasoline rule still applies. In practice, some attendants may let riders steady or position the nozzle to avoid spills, but the attendant should operate the pump.
• Portable containers: Attendants generally fill approved, properly labeled containers. Expect them to check container type and place it on the ground to reduce static risk.

These exceptions hinge on safety classifications and station policy. When in doubt, ask the attendant; they are responsible for compliance and can advise on what’s permitted at that location.

How New Jersey Compares to Other States

If you’ve traveled elsewhere, the Garden State’s approach can be surprising. Here’s how it stacks up nationally.

• New Jersey: Statewide ban on self-serve gasoline; attendants required.
• Oregon: Formerly similar to New Jersey, but a 2023 law allows self-serve statewide while requiring stations to maintain staffed service at a portion of pumps.
• All other states: Self-serve gasoline is legal; full-service is optional and uncommon in many areas.

The 2023 change in Oregon left New Jersey as the only state with a blanket self-serve gasoline ban, underscoring how unique the state’s policy now is.

What to Expect at the Pump in New Jersey

For visitors and new residents, the routine takes a bit of getting used to. Here’s what typically happens when you refuel.

• Pull up to the pump, put the vehicle in park, and turn off the engine.
• Tell the attendant the fuel grade and whether you’re paying cash or card.
• Remain in the car unless the station requests that you step out (policies vary).
• The attendant handles the nozzle and fueling; you complete payment with them.
• Check your receipt if needed and confirm the correct fuel grade and amount.

The process is usually quick, and attendants are trained to manage safety steps that drivers would handle themselves in other states.

Common Misconceptions

Several persistent myths can confuse travelers. These clarifications help set expectations.

• “I can pump my own gas late at night if the station is short-staffed.” No—self-serve gasoline isn’t legal at any hour.
• “The ban covers diesel too.” Generally not; many stations allow self-serve diesel, though policies differ.
• “Tipping is illegal.” There’s no statewide ban on tipping attendants, but many chains discourage it; follow posted policy and local custom.
• “This is only about protecting jobs.” Safety and consumer protection were—and remain—core stated reasons, though labor and service considerations are part of the debate.

Understanding what the law actually requires helps avoid awkward interactions at the pump and unintentional violations.

Has Anything Changed Recently?

Lawmakers have introduced multiple “self-serve choice” bills in recent sessions to let stations offer both self-serve and full-service at different price points. None has been enacted. After Oregon’s 2023 law, New Jersey became the last state with a comprehensive ban on customer-operated gasoline pumps. As of 2025, the New Jersey rules are unchanged and fully in effect.

Legal and Regulatory References

New Jersey’s rules are anchored in the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act and related regulations (commonly cited in New Jersey Statutes Annotated, Title 34, and New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 12:196). Oregon’s 2023 change was enacted via HB 2426. For the most precise, current text and enforcement guidance, consult the State of New Jersey’s official statute and administrative code websites or the responsible state labor and safety agencies.

Summary

You can’t fill your own gasoline tank in New Jersey because state law requires trained attendants to dispense gasoline, a rule in place since 1949 for safety and consumer-protection reasons. Diesel is generally exempt and may be self-serve where allowed. Legislative efforts to introduce self-serve options have not passed, leaving New Jersey as the only state with a blanket self-serve gasoline ban.

Is it illegal to fill up a gas tank in New Jersey?

New Jersey remains the only state where it is illegal to pump your own gasoline. You are, however, allowed to pump your own diesel fuel in the state.

Why can’t you pump gas in NJ?

You cannot pump your own gas in New Jersey due to the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act of 1949, which bans self-service fueling out of concern for public safety from fire hazards and to protect workers’ jobs, a law that was lobbied for by full-service station owners to prevent competition from cheaper self-service stations. Despite attempts to repeal it, the ban has remained in effect, and a 2022 poll showed most New Jersey residents prefer the status quo, with many viewing it as a tradition. 
History of the Ban

• 1940s Competition: Full-service gas stations were the norm, offering various services beyond gas. When self-service stations began to emerge, full-service owners feared losing business. 
• Lobbying for Protection: To protect their livelihoods, full-service gas station owners and the Gasoline Retailers Association lobbied for legislation that banned self-service fueling. 
• Safety and Employment Concerns: The law cited fire safety risks as the primary reason for the ban, arguing that attendants could better ensure safety procedures were followed. The employment of attendants was also a motivating factor. 

What the Law Says

• The Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act makes it unlawful for anyone who is not a gas station attendant to dispense fuel into a vehicle. 
• This law applies to gasoline, but not to diesel fuel, meaning you can pump your own diesel. 

Why the Ban Persists

• Public Support: Unlike many other states that repealed similar bans, New Jersey residents have consistently shown support for the ban. A 2022 Rutgers-Eagleton Poll found that 73% of residents opposed lifting the ban. 
• Political Resistance: Attempts to repeal the ban, including those by state politicians like Gerald Cardinale, have consistently failed. 
• Tradition: Many residents view the ban as a long-standing tradition, often associated with the phrase “Jersey girls don’t pump”. 

Why won’t my gas tank let me fill up?

Your gas tank won’t fill properly because of a blocked EVAP (Evaporative Emission Control) system, which is the most common cause. The EVAP system includes vents and a charcoal canister that allow air to escape your fuel tank during refueling. When blocked, this prevents air from exiting, causing pressure to build up and shut off the gas pump. Common blockages include a kinked or clogged fresh air tube, a stuck closed vent solenoid, or too much liquid in the canister from overfilling. 
Common Reasons for the Problem

• Blocked EVAP System: Opens in new tabThe EVAP system is designed to capture fuel vapors. Dirt, debris, or an insect nest can block the hoses or canister, trapping air and preventing fuel from entering. 
• Overfilling the Tank: Opens in new tabRegularly “topping off” your tank can force liquid fuel into the vent tube and the charcoal canister. This can cause the canister to become damaged and clog the system. 
• Blocked Vent Tube: Opens in new tabThe tube that allows air to escape the tank can become kinked, dislodged, or clogged with debris. 
• Stuck Vent Solenoid: Opens in new tabA vent solenoid, a part of the EVAP system, can get stuck in the closed position, preventing air from escaping the tank. 
• Malfunctioning Fuel Pump Nozzle: Opens in new tabWhile less common, the gas pump nozzle itself can malfunction and shut off prematurely, especially if it’s highly sensitive to pressure. 

What You Can Do

• Try Pumping Slowly: Some users recommend trying to fill the tank at a slower speed. 
• Check the Nozzle: Ensure the nozzle is inserted all the way into the filler neck. 
• Do Not Top Off the Tank: Avoid overfilling your tank, as this is a common cause of EVAP system issues. 
• Get a Professional Diagnosis: If the problem persists, have a mechanic inspect your EVAP system, the filler neck, and the vent hose for blockages or damage. 

This video demonstrates how to check for EVAP system blockages: 1mGoTechYouTube · Mar 31, 2022

What states won’t allow you to pump your own gas?

Only New Jersey currently prohibits drivers from pumping their own gas, requiring an attendant to fill the tank at all stations. Oregon, once the other state with a similar ban, lifted its restriction in 2023, making New Jersey the sole state where drivers are not permitted to self-serve.
 
Why the ban remains in New Jersey

• History: The ban has been in place in New Jersey since 1949, partly to protect profits for gas station owners and to create jobs for attendants. 
• Culture: The practice is deeply ingrained in the state’s culture, and a 2022 poll indicated a majority of New Jersey residents oppose lifting the ban. 
• Political Influence: The gas station industry and other groups have lobbied to maintain the full-service requirement, which has resulted in consistent political opposition to changing the law.