Really, you can't pump your own gas in NJ and OR?

[DallasCowpoke]

Maybe this is common knowledge, but this really dumbfounded me.

I picked-up a high school friend and his wife who moved to upstate NJ back in 86, at DFW airport earlier today. On the way home, I stopped to fill-up and his wife SHOT out of the backseat exclaiming, "Oh cool, self-serve. I wanna do it!"

I looked at her husband puzzled, and he explained that other than a few times on vacation or when she happened to be in NY or PA, she hadn't pumped her own gas since they moved, then explained why.

Love the gal to death, but I couldn't resist sliding out of the driver's seat and ambling back to the rear of the truck, pretending to check the "latch security" of the tailgate and whatnot, All the time, giving her the skunk-eye, wondering if the NJ Supreme Court knew something I didn't. :D

Man, talk about a Union strong arm! You're trying to tell me some 16 yr old snot-nose making minimum wage, is going to take more caution sticking a gas nozzle into MY vehicle than I am? Ridiculous!

[joseephuss]

I have been to the one place in Oregon where it is self service. Mazama Village near Crater Lake has a gas station with self-service pumps. Everywhere else, there are people paid to pump the gas for you. A lot of people would lose their jobs if they did away with it. By the way, I recommend visiting Crater Lake. Quite beautiful.

[vta]

Yeah pretty silly. I like the self-service of other states. I do finish it off if the guy is wondering around somewhere when it's done filling, because I don't feel like waiting.

[Faerluna]

Yes, and it's awesome. Whenever I have to go to NY for work, I always try to have enough gas to get to NJ to fill up. Not only are they full serve but their prices are always significantly lower.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Oregon has "mini serve" and full serve. Mini serve, they pretty much don't much other than fill tank.

We have a municipality here that does the same, no self-serve.

[Shadowy329]

I always find it funny when I see a car with jersey plates at any of my local gas stations they always take forever figuring out what to do or the even more fun of watching them ask the person inside or someone around them how to work the pump.

We have 2 or 3 full serves around which is a nice convenience when the weather is crap but I never fully trust the barely old enough to drive kid with securing my gas cap its a 50/50 chance of the light on my dash coming on later in the day when I go to one.

[StanleySpadowski]

The other part of the no self-serve in NJ is they also have very few 24 hour stations. God forbid there's an accident on the GW Bridge after a late Yankee game or road construction on 80 (NJ does it at night, 4 lanes down to 1) if you're trying to get to PA. Coasted on fumes through the Delaware Water Gap on more that a few occasions.

[WPBCowboysFan]

I have been to the one place in Oregon where it is self service. Mazama Village near Crater Lake has a gas station with self-service pumps. Everywhere else, there are people paid to pump the gas for you. A lot of people would lose their jobs if they did away with it. By the way, I recommend visiting Crater Lake. Quite beautiful.

Crater Lake is awesome. Much more impressive than you would imagine. Its a must see.

[67CowboysFan]

I always find it funny when I see a car with jersey plates at any of my local gas stations they always take forever figuring out what to do or the even more fun of watching them ask the person inside or someone around them how to work the pump.

We have 2 or 3 full serves around which is a nice convenience when the weather is crap but I never fully trust the barely old enough to drive kid with securing my gas cap its a 50/50 chance of the light on my dash coming on later in the day when I go to one.
Buy a car without a gas cap. I'm not kidding, my 2012 Ford Focus does not have a gas cap.

[TheCount]

Not a lot of snot nosed 16 year olds pumping gas in NJ.

As far as NJ gas stations not being open 24 hours, I'm there all the time and can't remember not being able to find an open gas station regardless of the time of day.

As Faerluna said, not only are they all full serve but the gas is much cheaper than in NY. I enjoy my NJ fillups. :)

[Jammer]

Last year I was in OR and I drove about 50 miles in a rental car. I stopped by a gas station to fill my car and the guy pumped in $1.25 and that was it. He wouldn't pump any more because that's where the nozzle shut off. I had to turn the car in at the airport and I was afraid I would have to pay the high gas price if the tank didn't register full at the rental drop off, so I wanted to top off the tank to give me some play room. He wouldn't budge.

Of course when I got to the airport the fuel level was below "F" so I had to pay double what I should have. I felt like I got ripped off needlesly. I got all kind of grief at work about pumping only $1.25 the day before, when the next day I had to pay about $7 extra at the airport when I shouldn't have.

[Yeagermeister]

Buy a car without a gas cap. I'm not kidding, my 2012 Ford Focus does not have a gas cap.

My 2009 Escape doesn't have one

[Vtwin]

I've had some interesting experiences gassing up my bike in NJ. I'm not letting some kid near my tank with a nozzle.

[TheCount]

I've had some interesting experiences gassing up my bike in NJ. I'm not letting some kid near my tank with a nozzle.

Gassing a bike up can be a real adventure. I don't let strangers do it for me either.

[Phoenix]

First time I went to NJ...had a rental car for the week. End of week I stopped at a gas station, got out, started to gas up before driving to turn in my rental car.

Me: pumping gas

Attendant: walks up, says "You can't do that"

M: Do what?

A: Pump gas

M: What? (not understanding)

A: Pump gas. It's illegal.

M: WHAT?!

A: Yep, We have to do it for you.

M: *dazed, not really believing*...Uh okay, fine, but I'm not going to tip you.

A: ...

M: So what's the deal, did you go to school and get special training for pumping gas?

A: ...

M: So what happens when people here go to another state? Do they know how to pump their own gas?

A: ...

I was just dumbfounded.

[TheCount]

First time I went to NJ...had a rental car for the week. End of week I stopped at a gas station, got out, started to gas up before driving to turn in my rental car.

Me: pumping gas

Attendant: walks up, says "You can't do that"

M: Do what?

A: Pump gas

M: What? (not understanding)

A: Pump gas. It's illegal.

M: WHAT?!

A: Yep, We have to do it for you.

M: *dazed, not really believing*...Uh okay, fine, but I'm not going to tip you.

A: ...

M: So what's the deal, did you go to school and get special training for pumping gas?

A: ...

M: So what happens when people here go to another state? Do they know how to pump their own gas?

A: ...

I was just dumbfounded.

I like the part where you belittle the guy for wanting to help you out and do his job, like he wrote NJ law. :rolleyes:

[ShiningStar]

this is true and it keeps people employed, and its defintely wonderful during the winter.

[a_minimalist]

There is no law that says you can't pump your own gas in NJ. People work there and will pump it for you but you can get out and beat them to it.

[Phoenix]

I like the part where you belittle the guy for wanting to help you out and do his job, like he wrote NJ law. :rolleyes:


I wasn't belittling him. I was joking with him.

[phildominator]

I wasn't belittling him. I was joking with him.

So those were tears from laughter that the boy had. Got it.

[vta]

There is no law that says you can't pump your own gas in NJ. People work there and will pump it for you but you can get out and beat them to it.

It is illegal, it's called the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act. It might be a 'blue law' kind of like jay-walking, but it is on the books carrying as much as a $500.000 fine for doing it. Corzine tried to overturn it in 2006 but was shot down.

[Rynie]

I like the part where you belittle the guy for wanting to help you out and do his job, like he wrote NJ law. :rolleyes:
Wow. Lighten up.

I would have said something similar. It's "illegal" to pump your own gas? What the hell kind of law is that?

I can't even remember the last time I've seen a full-serve gas station. Honestly, I didn't think they even still existed..anywhere.

[Phoenix]

So those were tears from laughter that the boy had. Got it.



THANK you SO much for your input.


:post:

:rolleyes:

[TheCount]

I wasn't belittling him. I was joking with him.

Well hey, if he was laughing then it's all gravy. You didn't really make it sound that way though. The way you told it, you accused him of angling for a tip, mocked his job and questioned the basic common sense of his state while he stood there quietly after he made the mistake of letting you know you were breaking state law and wanting to do his job.

[ShiningStar]

It is illegal, it's called the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act. It might be a 'blue law' kind of like jay-walking, but it is on the books carrying as much as a $500.000 fine for doing it. Corzine tried to overturn it in 2006 but was shot down.

you are correct even when i get out of the suv people come running up when they can so the station does not get fined, they take that serious. i always give them the "whoa" no need to rush, but they have to do it and i always put it back for them so they can get to the enxt customer.

but it is illegal in jersey to pump your own gas.

[Dodger]

...it's called the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act.So what's the point of this law, anyway?

[vta]

So what's the point of this law, anyway?

Insurance premium rates, fire hazards, the inability to enforce certain safety procedures, and to keep pregnant women from inhaling fumes, among others.

There's a List (http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lsse/laws/Retail_Gasoline_Act_and_Regs.html#19611)

Also part of the law it's illegal to pump gas while the car is running and the fine goes to the gas station itself I think. I can tell you, not many people shut their cars when filling. There's a sign that say's 'turn off your engine', but no one does.

I prefer to do it myself and not wait, but it's not as big a problem as it appears. Like I'd said earlier, I get out and finish it off because the attendant is usually busy with other people.

[Vtwin]

So what's the point of this law, anyway?


The Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act (http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lsse/laws/Retail_Gasoline_Act_and_Regs.html) (N.J.S.A. 34:3A-4 et seq.) and Regulations (http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lsse/laws/Retail_Gasoline_Act_and_Regs.html) (N.J.A.C. 12:196) mandates that no person dispense fuel at a gasoline station, unless that person is an attendant who has received fuel dispensing instructions. The Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act also ensures compliance with appropriate safety procedures, the prohibition of the self service of gasoline and other inflammable liquids, and the installation of safety signs and equipment to enhance safety at retail gasoline stations. For more information, please call (609) 292-2096 or e-mail us at osc@dol.state.nj.us (osc@dol.state.nj.us).


Who knew it was so difficult? :rolleyes:

[joseephuss]

Purpose

The Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act, part of the New Jersey Administrative Code, states that only trained gas station attendants may pump gas. The purpose of this law is to prevent accidents associated with untrained drivers pumping their own gas, and to increase the overall safety of gas stations. Safety concerns include not exposing customers, and especially pregnant women, to harmful toxic gasoline fumes they may inhale while pumping their own gas.


Read more: State of New Jersey Gas Laws | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7240441_state-new-jersey-gas-laws.html#ixzz253YMpbHZ

[vta]

Purpose

The Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act, part of the New Jersey Administrative Code, states that only trained gas station attendants may pump gas. The purpose of this law is to prevent accidents associated with untrained drivers pumping their own gas, and to increase the overall safety of gas stations. Safety concerns include not exposing customers, and especially pregnant women, to harmful toxic gasoline fumes they may inhale while pumping their own gas.


Read more: State of New Jersey Gas Laws | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7240441_state-new-jersey-gas-laws.html#ixzz253YMpbHZ

It's kind of funny: 'trained gas station attendants'. I didn't get much training when I was pumping gas out of high school and I doubt they get any now. :laugh2:

[joseephuss]

It's kind of funny: 'trained gas station attendants'. I didn't get much training when I was pumping gas out of high school and I doubt they get any now. :laugh2:

What? You mean there isn't a 6 week training course? :laugh1:

[a_minimalist]

It is illegal, it's called the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act. It might be a 'blue law' kind of like jay-walking, but it is on the books carrying as much as a $500.000 fine for doing it. Corzine tried to overturn it in 2006 but was shot down.

Wow, I didn't know that. It's something I see done all of the time.

[burmafrd]

interesting that 49 other states do not see the need to worry about this.

[joseephuss]

interesting that 49 other states do not see the need to worry about this.

Correction, 48. It is the same in Oregon. The impression I get at this point, is that there are too many jobs that would be lost if they got rid of the law.

[Phoenix]

Well hey, if he was laughing then it's all gravy. You didn't really make it sound that way though. The way you told it, you accused him of angling for a tip, mocked his job and questioned the basic common sense of his state while he stood there quietly after he made the mistake of letting you know you were breaking state law and wanting to do his job.


You really need to lighten up.

[vta]

What? You mean there isn't a 6 week training course? :laugh1:

There was some grease monkey gesturing to the cars with a wrench and grunting.

[vta]

Wow, I didn't know that. It's something I see done all of the time.

I'll occasionally do it too, if they're swamped. Normally the guy seems thankful.

[Dodger]

Insurance premium rates, fire hazards, the inability to enforce certain safety procedures, and to keep pregnant women from inhaling fumes, among others.

There's a List (http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lsse/laws/Retail_Gasoline_Act_and_Regs.html#19611)

Also part of the law it's illegal to pump gas while the car is running and the fine goes to the gas station itself I think. I can tell you, not many people shut their cars when filling. There's a sign that say's 'turn off your engine', but no one does.

I prefer to do it myself and not wait, but it's not as big a problem as it appears. Like I'd said earlier, I get out and finish it off because the attendant is usually busy with other people.

The Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act (http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lsse/laws/Retail_Gasoline_Act_and_Regs.html) (N.J.S.A. 34:3A-4 et seq.) and Regulations (http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lsse/laws/Retail_Gasoline_Act_and_Regs.html) (N.J.A.C. 12:196) mandates that no person dispense fuel at a gasoline station, unless that person is an attendant who has received fuel dispensing instructions. The Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act also ensures compliance with appropriate safety procedures, the prohibition of the self service of gasoline and other inflammable liquids, and the installation of safety signs and equipment to enhance safety at retail gasoline stations. For more information, please call (609) 292-2096 or e-mail us at osc@dol.state.nj.us (osc@dol.state.nj.us).


Who knew it was so difficult? :rolleyes:Hmm...okay. Thanks for the info, though yeah...I didn't think dispensing gas was all that "unsafe" to the point where we need laws to regulate it.

[Denim Chicken]

So do you tip?

[joseephuss]

Hmm...okay. Thanks for the info, though yeah...I didn't think dispensing gas was all that "unsafe" to the point where we need laws to regulate it.

I never really thought about it before since everything here is self-service. I found a few stats. Don't really know if they mean anything or not.

http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=305&URL=Safety%20Information/For%20consumers/Vehicles/Service%20station%20safety&cookie_test=1

Facts & figures

An estimated 5,020 fires and explosions occurred at public service stations per year from 2004-2008. That means that, on average, one in every 13 service stations experienced a fire. These 7,400 fires caused an annual average of two civilian deaths, 48 civilian injuries and $20 million in property damage.

Of those 5,020 fires, almost two-thirds (61%) involved vehicles. Structure fires accounted for 12% of total incidents but 59% of the direct property damage.

Twelve percent of fire incidents at service stations were outside trash or rubbish fires

[vta]

So do you tip?

:laugh2: No way.

[burmafrd]

I never really thought about it before since everything here is self-service. I found a few stats. Don't really know if they mean anything or not.

http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=305&URL=Safety%20Information/For%20consumers/Vehicles/Service%20station%20safety&cookie_test=1

Facts & figures

An estimated 5,020 fires and explosions occurred at public service stations per year from 2004-2008. That means that, on average, one in every 13 service stations experienced a fire. These 7,400 fires caused an annual average of two civilian deaths, 48 civilian injuries and $20 million in property damage.

Of those 5,020 fires, almost two-thirds (61%) involved vehicles. Structure fires accounted for 12% of total incidents but 59% of the direct property damage.

Twelve percent of fire incidents at service stations were outside trash or rubbish fires

out of how many hundreds of millions of fill ups? Perhaps even a billion or more?

really no justification. Since I bet there have been fires and accidents in NJ as well

[dogberry]

Are fire safety stats for NJ and Oregon better?