# Is it really illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 27, 2002, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-illegal-to-pump-your-own-gas-in-oregon/145095 "2002-12-27T03:59:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-illegal-to-pump-your-own-gas-in-oregon/145095/41 "2002-12-31T07:58:03Z")
> [@](#): > > ## \*Originally posted by JSexton \* \*\* Oregon has a fair number of unique (or nearly so) laws. We were the first to have deposits on returnable bottles. First in assisted suicide. … > > Justin \*\* That’s probably it. We don’t want people killing themselves by pouring gas all over them and setting themselves on fire. But, in all seriousness, I’m an Oregonian and I love not having to pump my own gas - especially in the rain. ---
**Author:** ![Tannim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Tannim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tannim)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-illegal-to-pump-your-own-gas-in-oregon/145095/42 "2002-12-31T14:10:14Z")
as an ex Oregonian pump jockey. While it was illegal for anyone to pump their own gas we would still let anyone with a classic/expensive car or motorcycle pump their own gas if they wanted. The big complaints came in the winter, people asking if they could keep their car running to keep themselves warm while we pumped their gas. They would talk about how sorry they felt for us out in the cold. ---
**Author:** ![WIGGUM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WIGGUM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WIGGUM)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-illegal-to-pump-your-own-gas-in-oregon/145095/43 "2002-12-31T14:20:04Z")
I spent about three months in Oregon this summer working on “The Biscuit Fire” (Oregonians will know what that is). I actually pumped my own gas several times with no repercussions. The station was pretty busy, and I got tired of waiting, and got out and pumped my own. I would think in that situation, the attendants would be appreciative as they were quite busy at the time. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-illegal-to-pump-your-own-gas-in-oregon/145095/44 "2002-12-31T18:57:38Z")
> [@](#): > > I would think in that situation, the attendants would be appreciative as they were quite busy at the time. Still illegal, even if appreciated. Thanks for your help with Biscuit. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-illegal-to-pump-your-own-gas-in-oregon/145095/45 "2002-12-31T19:57:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by EagleEye \* > \*\ ***raisinbread** : Heh, that’s kinda funny. > > As you can see and tell, I’m from Illinois and it’s mostly self service around here. > > Now a little bit off the path, but why would they make a law like that? I know it gives people work, and obviously avoids people blowing up the whole gas station. But does the reasoning for it go beyond that? \*\* I suspect the justification is safety. Although I’m not sure that gas station employees are given all that much training in safety procedures. And by the way, I got bawled out at the Seattle World’s Fair for carrying my own beer from the bar to the table. That was a no-no. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-illegal-to-pump-your-own-gas-in-oregon/145095.md?page=2)