• Gas station attendants in New Jersey must pump gas for customers.New Jersey state contour against blurred USA flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
  
  New Jersey is only one of two states, Oregon being the other, that does not allow customers to pump their own gas at gas stations. This law first went into effect in 1949, and still stands today, despite the attempts of New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine who suggested the law should be overturned in 2006. He received 1,400 e-mails and phone calls from New Jersey residents who disagreed. New Jersey residents who support full-service gas stations feel they are more convenient and safer.
  
  

Purpose

• Customers are safer when attendants pump the gas according to New Jersey law.gas pump image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
  
  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.
  
  

Laws

• Attendants cannot smoke while pumping gas.no smoking image by hugy from Fotolia.com
  
  Under the regulations of the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act, gas station attendants in New Jersey are required to pump gas in a safe manner, and must obey proper procedure while doing so. Gas station attendants may not legally pump gas into an automobile if the vehicle's engine is still running. Attendants may not place fuel into a portable container for a customer unless that container has the ability to be sealed and contains a spout, or some other device, that would prevent the gasoline from spilling while it's being poured. Gas station attendants in New Jersey may not allow a customer to pump their own gas, regardless of how busy the station is, and all attendants must refrain from smoking while pumping a customer's gas.
  
  

Fines and Hearings

• Gas stations may be fined in New Jersey for breaking gas-pumping rules.dollars in cash image by Julia Britvich from Fotolia.com
  
  Gas stations in New Jersey that do not obey the rules and regulations outlined by the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act will be fined. Violators will be fined at least $50 for their first offense, but may be fined as much as $250 depending on the specific rule they have violated. Violators will be fined a maximum of $500 for each offense after the first. The amount of the fine is determined by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner, or someone acting on their behalf. Those found in violation may request a formal hearing within 10 days of receiving the Notice of Violation. However, if no request for a hearing is made within 10 days, then the Notice of Violation will act as a Final Order, and the violator will have to pay the fine.