Oregon has lifted its ban on pumping your own gas, reversing a 1951 decision that made it illegal to refuel your own vehicle. That leaves New Jersey as the only state in America where pumping your own gas is against the law.
The change in gas station regulations has taken place in Oregon, as a new law signed on Friday now allows customers to pump their own gas. This marks the end of a ban on self-service at gas stations in the state that dates back to 1951.
Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat, signed House Bill 2426, making it effective immediately. New Jersey, remains the sole state that still prohibits self-service at gas stations.
The law in Oregon doesn’t completely phase out full-service options in the state’s 16 most populous counties. Instead, it mandates that no more than half of the gas pumps at any service station be designated for self-serve.
Additionally, in these counties, at least one gas station employee must be available at all times to assist customers with pumping gas. Importantly, gas stations cannot charge higher prices for full-service assistance.
The new law aligns Oregon with most other states, where self-service at gas stations has been a common practice for decades. It is expected to provide greater convenience and flexibility for customers while maintaining some full-service options for those who prefer or need assistance fueling their vehicles.
New Jersey does not show any signs of allowing residents to pump their own gas.
The ban on self-service gas in New Jersey has been a long-standing and contentious issue. Despite several attempts to end the ban, no successful legislation has been passed to allow self-service gas in the state. Public opinion on the matter remains divided, with polls showing New Jersey residents almost evenly split on the issue.
In February 2022, the New Jersey Legislature introduced Bill 3105, named the “Motorist Fueling Choice and Convenience Act.” This bill aims to address the ban on self-service gas and provide motorists with the option to pump their own fuel, bringing the state’s regulations more in line with the majority of other states in the US.
However, as of now, the fate of Bill 3105 remains uncertain, and it is yet to be determined whether it will succeed in lifting the ban on self-service gas in New Jersey.