Maryland · MD · Vehicles
Maryland: Is it legal to pump your own gas?
Self-serve allowed
Maryland allows drivers to pump their own gas. Its fire code adopts NFPA 1 with added rules for unattended self-service stations.
Maryland's State Fire Prevention Code adopts the 2024 edition of NFPA 1, which covers self-service fuel stations. Maryland adds rules for unattended self-service stations: daily site visits, regular maintenance, posted contact information, and a 25-gallon or preset-card cap on each fill. Nothing in these rules bars or limits customers pumping their own gas at staffed stations.
What the law says
Regular equipment inspection and maintenance at the unattended self-service facility shall be conducted.
Sources
- COMAR 29.06.01.08 (NFPA 1 Fire Code amendments, effective 6/23/2025) Mirror of official text · law.cornell.edu
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal
- Phone
- 410-653-8980
- Website
- firemarshal.maryland.gov
How bordering states compare
- Delaware Self-serve allowedDelaware allows self-service gas; state law recognizes self-serve-only stations and requires them to help disabled and older drivers.
- Pennsylvania Self-serve allowedPennsylvania rules expressly allow attended self-service gas stations, with an attendant on duty at the controls.
- Virginia Self-serve allowedVirginia allows self-service gas; its Statewide Fire Prevention Code adopts the International Fire Code's self-service fueling rules with minor changes.
- West Virginia Self-serve allowedWest Virginia has no ban on self-service gas; its state fire code adopts the national code that covers self-service fueling.