Have you ever pulled up to a gas station in New Jersey and been surprised to see an attendant rush out to pump your gas for you? For many drivers, especially those from out of state, this can be a perplexing experience. New Jersey stands out as the only state in the United States where self-service gas stations are completely prohibited. So, the question naturally arises: why can’t you pump your own gas in New Jersey?
The roots of this unique Garden State law stretch back to the mid-20th century. According to Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth Polling Institute, the ban originated from a desire to protect smaller, local gas station owners from being overtaken by the rise of larger gas station chains. The thinking was that self-service stations, being more profitable for large corporations, would disadvantage smaller businesses that relied on full-service.
This protectionist sentiment solidified into law with the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act in 1949. New Jersey lawmakers at the time officially cited safety concerns and potential cost increases for consumers as the primary justifications for preventing the transition to self-service. Interestingly, Oregon followed suit with a similar law in 1951, although Oregon’s regulations are now less stringent, permitting self-service in certain areas.
Over the decades, attempts to repeal the full-service mandate in New Jersey have consistently failed. Every time gas prices surge, the debate about self-service reignites, with bills introduced to challenge the existing law. However, this issue has become known as a ‘political third rail‘ in New Jersey politics, even described as such by Governor Phil Murphy. It’s a rare issue that transcends typical party lines, yet despite persistent advocacy from self-service proponents, no legislative changes have been successful to date.
So, while the rest of the country largely embraced self-service gas stations starting in the 1970s, New Jersey remains firmly committed to its full-service model. The reasons are a blend of historical protectionism for small businesses, long-standing safety arguments, and a unique political landscape that has resisted change, leaving many drivers to wonder – and often appreciate – the continued presence of gas station attendants in the Garden State.
