How does full-service gas work in Oregon?
I'm from a state in the US where all gas is self-service. When traveling to Oregon (where all gas stations are full-service), how does the process work? Do you just pull up to the pump and hand the attendant your credit card? Is tipping required or recommended?
And is it true that it is a crime to actually pump your own gas at a station in Oregon?
Best Answer
As a life long Oregonian, I can answer.
You pull up to the pump, the attendant comes to your window, and you give them your card or cash, and tell them how much you want (usually filled, but I've asked for $20 before, especially when I pay with cash). They fill the tank, give you the receipt, and off you go.
It is illegal to pump your own, and you can be fined for it, although there is nothing about the pump stopping you, although the attendant will usually notice and run over to stop you pretty quickly. I believe that they might be liable for allowing people to pump their own.
As for tipping, I have never seen somebody tip the attendant, unless that attendant truly went out of their way to give good service. I guess you could, but it's definitely not expected.
There are a couple of exceptions. You can pump your own diesel, or if you have access to a commercial filling station like Pacific Pride.
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Does Oregon require full service gas stations?
Self-serve gas has been legal in some rural Oregon counties for several years, but it's still off-limits in most of the state. Oregon is one of just two states that place limits on drivers pumping their own gasoline. The other state is New Jersey.Why does Oregon have full service gas stations?
They were designed primarily for emergencies or for after dark when gas stations were closed. People would pre-pay with coins to operate them. Full-service gas stations adamantly opposed self-service. They saw cheaper, self-service gas as a competitive threat to their business and wanted to limit its spread.What does it mean when a gas station is full service?
A full service gas station is a gas station where an attendant pumps the customer's gas. These stations are relatively uncommon in most places today, but in a few locations \u2014 including certain parts of the US, like Oregon or New Jersey \u2014 gas stations are legally required to be full service.Does Oregon make you pump your own gas?
Oregon remains only one of two states that doesn't allow drivers to pump their own fuel. Oregon could ditch its status as one of the last states to prohibit self-service gasoline under a new bill state lawmakers are considering.Oregonians react to new self-service gas pumping rules
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Answer 2
Since 2016, there is an exception: if you are in a county with population less than 40,000, and it is between 6pm and 6am, you can pump your own gas if the station has self-service pumps.
http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2016/jan/06/self-serve-gas-legal-rural-oregon/
As far as I can tell, pumping your own gas in general is not a crime, but is subject to a civil penalty of up to $500 under Section 480.385 of the Oregon Revised Statutes.
Answer 3
Here's a little fun fact about gas stations in Oregon. If you pull into a gas station and tell the attendant how much gas you want they are fully liable for any mistakes made whether they pump the wrong fuel into your vehicle or if they over pump the amount that you say so if you go in and ask for $15 of regular gas and they end up pumping $50 of regular gas they are liable for the other $35 that they over pumped and you only pay 15.
If they offer any insubordination or non-compliance eat with there mistake then they will be fired from the job and still have to pay for their mistake so if you are ever in Oregon and you get over pumps and gas and they tell you that you have to pay the difference that is not true completely false and the best thing to do is to call the head of the company and submit your complaint. Otherwise most attendant already know this and snivel a little bit but pay for their mistake.
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