Assistance at Gas Stations

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
Americans with Disabilities Act
ADA Business BRIEF:
Assistance at Gas Stations
People with disabilities may find it difficult or impossible to
obtain gas for their vehicles because they are unable to use the
controls, hose, or nozzle of a self-serve gas pump. At stations
that offer only self service, they may be unable to purchase gas.
At stations that offer both self service and full service, people
with disabilities may have no choice but to purchase the more
expensive fuel from a full-service pump.
People with disabilities may
require assistance to purchase fuel
at self-service pumps.
The Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) requires
gas stations to provide equal
access for their customers with
disabilities. If necessary to
provide access, stations must--
Provide refueling assistance
upon the request of an
individual with a disability. A
service station or convenience
store is not required to provide
such service at any time that it
is operating on a remote control
basis with a single employee,
but is encouraged to do so, if
feasible.
Let customers know (e.g., using
signs or notification on or near
pumps) that individuals with
disabilities can obtain refueling
assistance by honking their horn
or otherwise signaling an
employee. Some stations
provide a call button.
A pump may have a button
to notify the attendant that
assistance is needed.
• 	Provide the refueling assistance
without any charge beyond the
self-serve price, if the customer
wants only fuel. The attendant
may provide assistance at a
self-service pump or at a full-
service pump. In either case,
the customer must be charged
the self-service price.
A sign located next to pumps
tells customers to honk their horns
for assistance.
If you have additional
questions concerning the ADA and
gas stations, please call the
Department of Justice’s ADA
Information Line at (800) 514-
0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383
(TTY) or visit the ADA Business
Connection on the ADA web site
at www.ada.gov.
Duplication is encouraged. 	June 2002

The Americans with Disabilities Act authorizes the Department of Justice (the Department) to
provide technical assistance to individuals and entities that have rights or responsibilities under the
Act. This document provides informal guidance to assist you in understanding the ADA and the
Department's regulations.
This guidance document is not intended to be a final agency action, has no legally binding effect,
and may be rescinded or modified in the Department’s complete discretion, in accordance with
applicable laws. The Department’s guidance documents, including this guidance, do not establish
legally enforceable responsibilities beyond what is required by the terms of the applicable statutes,
regulations, or binding judicial precedent.