Katerina Swanson
Oregon has recently lifted a ban on self-service at gas stations, which has been in place since 1951. The state was one of only two in the U.S. where drivers were not allowed to pump their own gas. While some Oregonians are happy with the change, a large percentage enjoyed the full-service model, and many stations continue to offer attendant service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Self-service fuel law | In 2023, Oregon legalized self-service at gas stations, ending a 70-year ban. |
| Self-service fuel law exceptions | Gas station owners can choose to offer self-service, but they are not required to. In non-rural areas, self-service can only be offered if attendant service is also provided. |
| Fines | Gas stations can be fined up to $500 by the State Fire Marshal if they allow customers to pump their own gas, but these fines are rare. |
| Customer preference | A large percentage of Oregonians prefer to have attendants pump their gas. |
| Diesel fuel | Customers can pump their own diesel fuel at some retail stations and at CFN or Pacific Pride cardlock locations. |
| Rural counties | Oregon relaxed self-service fuel laws in 15 rural counties in 2015, allowing self-service from 6 pm to 6 am. |
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What You'll Learn
Oregon is one of only two US states with this law
Oregon is one of only two US states with a law prohibiting drivers from pumping their own gas. This unique rule was first established in 1951 and has been in place for over 70 years. The other state with a similar law is New Jersey.
There have been several reasons cited for this law, including safety concerns for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and children who may be left unattended at self-serve gas stations. The state law also mentions the potential hazard of toxic fumes to customers. In addition, gas station pumps in the 1950s lacked the safety features that are standard today, and they were considered too complicated for the average person to operate safely.
Over time, there have been some relaxations and changes to this law in Oregon. In 2015, certain rural counties with populations of less than 40,000 residents were allowed to offer self-serve gas from 6 pm to 6 am, enabling these stations to remain open 24 hours a day. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were temporary changes to the self-serve laws, and in 2023, Oregon legalized self-serve gas statewide, although gas station owners are not required to offer it.
It is worth noting that a large percentage of Oregonians appreciate having attendants pump their gas, and some retail stations allow customers to use the diesel pumps independently. However, for those who prefer to pump their own gas, commercial fuel cards are available at select locations, providing the option for diesel-only self-service fueling.
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It was introduced in 1951 due to safety concerns
Oregon has recently lifted its decades-old ban on self-service fuel, allowing motorists to fuel their own cars. The self-service ban was introduced in 1951 due to safety concerns. Oregon was the only U.S. state besides New Jersey to ban self-service at the pump.
The safety concerns that led to the original ban included motorists slipping on slick surfaces at filling stations, which are often subject to Oregon's rainy weather. In recent years, legislators relaxed the rule, allowing rural counties to have self-serve gas available at night. This was later extended to all hours in sparsely populated areas of eastern Oregon, where drivers could be stranded when there is no attendant on duty.
The COVID-19 pandemic labour shortage also contributed to a renewed push to allow self-service across the state. Gas station owners struggled to find employees, despite offering competitive pay and benefits. The Oregon Department of Energy reported that the gas station workforce had reduced by up to 50% due to illness, childcare issues, and safety concerns.
In August 2023, Oregon legalised self-service fuel statewide, with the option for gas station owners to offer self-service or full service. This change brings Oregon in line with most other U.S. states, giving motorists the choice to pump their own gas if they wish.
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In 2023, a bill was signed to legalise self-service
In 2023, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed House Bill 2426 into law, legalising self-service at gas stations across the state. The bill reverses a decades-old ban on self-serve gasoline, which was enacted in 1951 over safety and job concerns. With the new law, Oregon joins the rest of the country, except New Jersey, in allowing drivers to pump their own gas.
The bill gives gas station owners the choice to offer self-service, but they are not required to do so. It allows stations to designate up to half of their pumps as self-serve, while the remainder must be reserved for those who opt for attendant service, including the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Prices must be the same at both self-serve and staffed pumps, and signs must indicate the service level of the pumps.
The bill had bipartisan support and was backed by lawmakers, gas station owners, industry lobbyists, and individuals. Supporters argued that it would streamline Oregon's patchwork of regulations, reduce confusion, and give customers and owners a choice. It would also help struggling stations facing hiring challenges due to workforce shortages. Additionally, some Oregonians favoured self-service as it would save them time.
However, the bill also faced opposition. Concerns were raised about its potential adverse impact on vulnerable individuals who need assistance at the pump. Opponents also worried about job losses and the difficulty it may pose for people with disabilities. Despite these concerns, Governor Kotek ultimately decided to sign the bill into law, marking a significant change in Oregon's fuel industry.
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Gas station owners can now choose to offer self-service
Oregon has long been one of the few states that did not allow self-service at gas stations. However, in August 2023, Governor Tina Kotek signed a bill into law that legalised self-service at gas stations across the state. This change gives gas station owners the option to offer self-service, but it is not a requirement. In other words, while self-service is now legal in Oregon, individual gas stations can choose whether or not to offer it to their customers.
This means that Oregon drivers do not have a right to self-service if a particular station doesn't offer it. They must follow the station's rules. If a gas station chooses to offer a mix of self-service and attendant service, it must clearly label which pumps are for self-service and which are for attendant service. Additionally, the law prohibits stations from charging different prices for the two services.
The new law also stipulates that the number of self-service pumps at a gas station cannot exceed the number of pumps run by attendants. In more populous parts of the state, stations that choose to offer self-service will also need to offer attendant service on at least half of their pumps. This requirement aims to ensure that people who want or need assistance, such as elderly or disabled drivers, can still access it.
The polarising issue of self-service gas has been debated in Oregon for years. While some drivers pushed for the convenience and speed of self-service, others argued for the convenience of full-service stations and the preservation of attendant jobs. With the new law, Oregon joins most other states in allowing gas station owners to choose whether or not to offer self-service, providing Oregonians with options at the gas pump.
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Self-service stations must also offer attendant service
In Oregon, self-service at gas stations has been illegal for 70 years. However, in 2023, Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill into law that legalised self-service at gas stations statewide. This bill, House Bill 4151, allows gas stations to offer self-service pumps alongside those staffed by attendants. Importantly, this bill does not require gas stations to offer self-service, but rather gives them the option to do so.
The bill also stipulates that the number of self-service pumps cannot exceed the number of pumps run by attendants. In other words, self-service stations must also offer attendant service. This rule does not apply to rural counties, where gas stations can operate almost exclusively as self-service if they wish.
The bill was sponsored by legislators from both parties, who argued that it would help alleviate labour shortages at gas stations. Proponents of the bill also emphasised that it would preserve assistance for people with disabilities or others who require or prefer help from an attendant.
Oregon is one of only two states in the US that previously did not allow self-service gas pumps, the other being New Jersey.
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Frequently asked questions
Oregon is one of only two US states where drivers are not allowed to pump their own gas. This rule was first established in 1951 due to safety concerns.
Gas station pumps in 1951 did not have the same safety features they do today. Pumps were also more complicated than the average person was prepared to use. There were concerns about the dangers for seniors or those with disabilities, toxic fumes, and the potential for small children to be left alone at a self-service station.
Yes, a 2002 law allowed people in Oregon to pump their own diesel.
Yes, in 2023, Oregon legalised self-service at gas stations statewide. However, gas station owners are not required to offer self-service, and in more populous parts of the state, stations that do offer self-service must also offer attendant service.
