New Bill Pushes NJ Drivers To Pump Own Gas

New Jersey is the only state where it is illegal to pump your own gas. The first offense is even punishable by a $250 fine. But soon, NJ drivers may be pumping their own gas thanks to a new proposal of an old bill to allow for self-service options as gas prices surge due to inflation and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The bill, A3105 or the Motorist Fueling Choice and Convenience Act, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, would allow NJ residents the option to pump their own gas or continue with the normal full service from an attendant.

Post-introduction, members of the New Jersey Gasoline, Convenience Store, Automotive Association (NJGCA), which includes nearly a thousand small businesses, came out in support of the bill.

"The current law that does not allow for self-serve is crippling my small business," said NJGCA President and gas station owner Joe Ocello. "When I got into the business years ago, it was a great way to make a living, a pathway to the American dream. But increasing prices and labor shortages are making it more and more difficult to run a gas station."

The bill offers gas stations across NJ the option of self-serve, however, stations with more than four pumps would be required to continue offering full service.

"Everyone's in a rush, so if you can pump your own gas, save 15 cents or more per gallon, why not?" said Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro. "If you don't want to, it's your option."

"I can guarantee that allowing for a self-serve option will save motorists, who exercise their right to choose, money at the gas pump," said Kashmir Gill, NJGCA member and owner of multiple gas stations in Central Jersey. "As a station owner, I know that the self-serve option will bring my businesses significant cost savings that I can pass along to my customers."

In 1949, Congress passed a statute entitled the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act that banned self-serve gas, citing safety concerns like fire hazards. New Jersey is currently the only state that upholds this law.

Many gas station owners have cited labor shortages as a major struggle in keeping their small businesses afloat. The bill would allow for gas stations to function with fewer employees.

"I am finding it increasingly difficult to keep my gas stations open due to the labor shortages, significantly impacting my business," said Levent Sertbas, NJGCA member and gas station owner. "There have been multiple instances where I have had to close midday because I cannot find attendants to work the gas pumps."

However, not everyone loves the idea, and some don’t even know how to pump their own gas.

"I'd rather someone pump my gas for me, because I've lived in Jersey my whole life," said motorist Justine Myack. "I don't know how to pump gas."

"New Jersey law requires that an attendant pump must pump the customer's gas," said Sal Risalvato, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline and Convenience Store Association. "So if we don't have an attendant, we can't pump any gas."

There are roughly 2,200 gas stations in the state of New Jersey. Members of the NJGCA see this proposed bill as a way to keep many of these stations in business amid staffing shortages and inflation.

If passed and once signed by Governor Murphy, the law would take effect 90 days later.

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