Four girls roller skate down a New York City sidewalk in front of a USO Club to promote gasoline conservation in the early days of World War II. Note the Empire State Building in the background. (Uncredited photo.)
Starting in 1942, the U.S. implemented mandatory gasoline rationing as it was deemed a precious commodity needed to support the war effort. Car owners were issued gasoline rationing cards that were used to regulate their gasoline consumption. These cards would come with windshield stickers that had specific letters. There were seven classifications:
A Drivers: allowed to purchase three gallons of gas each week. Most popular letter given to regular car owners.
B Drivers: allowed to purchase eight gallons of gas each week. Mostly given to factory workers that supported the war effort and traveling salesmen.
C Drivers: doctors, nurses, construction workers, and mail employees.
T Drivers: truckers.
X Drivers: members of Congress
C, T, and X were not subjected to any gasoline restrictions.
