Ration Card Gasoline rationing, administered by the Office of Price Administration, began in May 1942. Drivers holding this “B” card, such as industrial workers, were considered essential to the war effort and could purchase eight gallons a week. Nonessential drivers were allocated half that amount. By the end of July 1942, the government had issued more than 850,000 of these cards. Home Front Coupons, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University