People with disabilities may find it difficult or impossible to obtain gas for their vehicle 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.

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 —

1. 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.

Illustration 1

People with disabilities may require assistance to purchase fuel at self-service pumps.

1. 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.

Illustration 2

A pump may have a button to notify the attendant that assistance is needed.

1. 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.

Illustration 3

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 833-610-1264 (TTY) or visit the ADA Business Connection on archive.ada.gov.

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.

Guidance documents posted to this website are not intended to be a final agency action, have no legally binding effect, and have no force or effect of law. The documents may be rescinded or modified in the Departments’ complete discretion, in accordance with applicable laws. The Departments’ 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. For more information, see 1-19.000 – Principles for Issuance and Use of Guidance Documents, https://www.justice.gov/jm/1-19000-limitation-issuance-guidance-documents-1.