Truck Idling Laws By StateList of Truck Idling Laws by State for diesel trucks Truck Idling Laws By State is a compilation of information for diesel truck drivers. This information is intended to be a general overview and may not be complete. It should not be relied upon as a complete source of state, county and local restrictions as they are always changing. Trucks idle with good reason: for air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter. Truck drivers spend most of their lives in a truck and this idling predicament has become a costly problem. The primary technology for idling your semi truck is, APUs or generators. Generators use a small diesel engine to generate electric power. Once you have electricity, you can use it to power an electric air conditioner or any of the devices you use for comfort and convenience. APUs are multifunctional devices. Besides driving either a generator, an alternator or both, they may power an air conditioner or an air compressor mechanically. <<<<< Please subscribe to my free newsletter just fill in the block to the left. APUs can also power an inverter, a device that changes 12-volt direct current to 120-volt alternating current, to provide 120-volt household current. Using household current gives you more options for heat and air conditioning for truckers. Many inverters also have circuitry to charge batteries without overcharging or damaging them. Cabs can also be warmed by heat pumps. Like air conditioners that absorb heat from one location, inside a cab or home, and transfer it to the atmosphere, heat pumps can also draw heat from air and release it into a cab. Heat pumps can be driven electrically, by generators or battery power, or mechanically by the APU’s engine.
With many idle-reduction devices driven electrically, truck stop electrification is the most effective and economical power source. It is not just for truck stops, but for anywhere trucks might stop, including shippers’ and receivers’ yards and public rest areas. For a nominal fee, you get to plug into a post near your semi truck. Once your extension cord is connected between the post and your internal wiring, you have the power to provide all your electric needs and keep your starting batteries topped up. Truckers have common concerns regarding drivers safety and liability, which include getting enough sleep in a comfortable environment, staying within idling laws that vary in each state and community and a lack of information concerning the law. Not following the stipulated idling limits or breaking community ordinances may draw fines. Here are the Truck idling laws by state. ARIZONA Maricopa County Time limit• 5 minutes Fines• $100 first violation• $300 second violation Exemptions• Traffic or adverse weather conditions• Emergency or law enforcement purposes• Power takeoff involving cargo or work functions• Conform to manufacturer’s specifications• Maintenance or diagnostics• HOS compliance* Applies to engine warm up and cool down. CALIFORNIA Statewide Truck idling laws Time limit• 5 minutes Fines• Minimum $300. Subsequent penalties can range from $1,000 to $10,000. Exemptions• Traffic conditions• Queuing beyond 100 feet of residential units• Adverse weather conditions or mechanical difficulties• Vehicle safety inspection• Service or repair• Power takeoff involving cargo or work functions• Prevent safety or health emergency• Emergency vehicles City of Sacramento Truck idling laws Time limit• 5 minutes• Prohibits reefer operation within 100 feet of residential or school areas unless loading or unloading Fines• Not less than $100 and not more than $25,000 per violation Exemptions• Traffic conditions/control• Vehicle safety inspection• Service or repair• Conform to manufacturer’s specifications*• Power takeoffs involving cargo or work functions• Prevent safety or health emergency• HOS compliance at truck/rest stop* To recharge hybird electric vehicles* Applies to engine warm up and cool down. Placer County (NE of Sacramento) Time limit• 5 minutes• Prohibits semi truck reefer operation within 100 feet of residential or school areas unless loading or unloading Fines• $50 minimum Exemptions• Traffic conditions/control• Vehicle safety inspection• Service or repair• Conform to manufacturer’s specifications*• Power takeoffs involving cargo or work functions• Prevent safety or health emergency• HOS compliance at truck/rest stop• Operate intermittent equipment• Alternatively fueled vehicles• Attainment areas where air meets EPA quality standards* Applies to engine warm up and cool down. Truck idling laws COLORADO City of Aspen Time limit• 5 minutes in any 1-hour period Fines• $1,000 maximum and/or 1 year of imprisonment Exemptions• Safety reasons• To achieve an engine temperature of 120 degrees and an air pressure of 100 pounds per square inch Denver: City and County Time limit• 10 minutes in any 1-hour period Fines• Not more than $999 and/or 1 year of imprisonment Exemptions• Less than 20 degrees for previous 24-hour period• Less than 10 degrees• Emergency vehicles• Traffic conditions• Being serviced• Auxiliary equipment CONNECTICUT Statewide Truck idling laws Time limit• 3 minutes Fines• Not more than $5,000 per week Exemptions• Traffic conditions or mechanical difficulties• Ensure safety or health of driver/passengers• Auxiliary equipment• Conform to manufacturer’s specifications*• Less than 20 degrees• Maintenance• Queuing to access military installation* Applies to engine warm up and cool down. DELAWARE Statewide Truck Idling Laws Time limit• 3 minutes• 15 minutes if 32 degrees to minus 10 degrees• No limit if less than minus 10 degrees 
Fines• $50 to $500 per offenseExemptions• Traffic conditions or mechanical difficulties• Conform to manufacturer’s specs*• Repair• Emergency vehicles• Using auxiliary equipment/power takeoff• Power during sleeping or resting beyond 25 miles of truck stop with available electrified equipment• Vehicle safety inspections* Applies to engine warm up and cool down. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Time limit• 3 minutes• 5 minutes if less than 32 degrees Fines• $500, doubles for each subsequent violation Exemptions• Power takeoff FLORIDA Time limit• 5 minutes * Fines To be determined Exemptions• While driver is sleeping/resting in sleeper berth (expires September 2013)• While stopped for traffic conditions beyond driver’s control• To operate heat, A/C to prevent health/safety emergency• To operate auxiliary equipment, lift, cement mixer, etc. GEORGIA City of Atlanta Truck Idling Laws Time limit• 15 minutes• 25 minutes if below 32 degrees for passenger comfort/safety Fines• $500 minimum Exemptions• To perform needed work• Traffic conditions• Natural gas or electric vehicles HAWAII Statewide Time limit• No person shall cause, suffer, or allow any engine to be in operation while the motor vehicle is stationary at a loading zone, parking or servicing area, route terminal or other off stree area. (3 minutes for start up/cool down) Fines• $25 to $2,500 per day Exemptions• Adjustment or repair• Auxiliary equipment or power takeoff ILLINOIS Truck Idling Laws Cities: Aux Sable, Goose Lake,and OswegoCounties: Cook, DuPage, Lake,Kane, McHenry, Will, Madison,St. Clair, Monroe Time limit• 10 minutes within any 60-minute period • 30 minutes within any 60-minute period: waiting to weigh, load or unload freight • No limit when less than 32 degrees or more than 80 degrees Fines• $50 first conviction• $150 for second and subsequent convictions in a 12-month period Exemptions* Less than 8,000 lbs. GVWR• Traffic conditions/controls• Prevent a safety or health emergency• Emergency or law enforcement purposes• Service or repair• Government inspection• Power takeoffs involving cargo or work functions• Resting in a sleeper berth• Mechanical difficulties• Queuing MAINE Statewide Truck Idling Laws Time limit • 5 minutes in any one hour period* No limit: if less than 0 degrees • Additional 15 minutes per hour if temperature is between zero and 32 degrees Fines• $25 to $500 for first offense• $150 to $500 fines for each subsequent offense Exemptions• Zero degrees or colder• Traffic conditions• Operation of defrosters, heaters or A/C to prevent safety or health emergency• Operation of heaters or A/C while waiting to load/unload• Maintenance, servicing, repair or diagnostics• State or federal inspections• Emergency vehicles• Power work-related operations• Sleeper berth A/C or heat during rest or sleep periods• Mechanical difficulties if receipt of repair is submitted within 30 days MARYLAND Statewide Truck Idling Laws Time limit • 5 minutes Fines• Not less than $500 Exemptions• Traffic conditions or mechanical difficulties• Heating, cooling and auxiliary equipment• Conform to manufacturer’s specifications*• Accomplish intended use* Applies to engine warm up and cool down. MASSACHUSETTS Statewide Truck Idling Laws Time limit• 5 minutes Fines• Not less than $100 for first offense• Not more than $500 for each subsequent offense Exemptions• Being serviced• Delivery for which power is needed and alternatives unavailable• Associate power needed and alternatives unavailable MINNESOTA Truck Idling Laws City of Minneapolis Time limit• None in residential areas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., including reefers Fines• $700 maximum and/or 90 days of imprisonment Exemptions• Permitted construction equipment• Compliance with traffic signals or signs• Emergency or law enforcement purposes City of Owatonna Truck Idling Laws Time limit• 15 minutes each 5 hours in residential areas Fines• $1,000 maximum and/or 90 days of imprisonment Exemptions• None City of St. Cloud Time limit• 5 minutes, West Germain Street from 8th to 10th Avenues Fines• Not more than $200 Exemptions• None MISSOURI Truck Idling Laws Counties: Clay, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Platte, St. Charles,St. Louis Time Limit• 5 minutes in any hour• 30 minutes per hour when waiting to load or unload Fines• No data available – TBD Exemptions• Traffic conditions/controls• Prevent safety/health emergency• Emergency purposes• Maintenance/repair• State or federal inspections• Power work-related operations for your semi truck• During government-mandated rest periods• Mechanical difficulties• APUs City of St. Louis Time limit• 5 minutes in any hour• 10 minutes if less than 32 degrees Fines• Up to $100 Exemptions• Emergency vehicles• Power for auxiliary purposes• Traffic or adverse weather conditions• Repair or diagnostics• Engaged in the delivery of goods St. Louis County Truck Idling Laws Time limit• 3 consecutive minutes Fines• Maximum $1,000 and/or 1 year of imprisonment Exemptions• Operating a loading, unloading, or processing device for semi trucks• Emergency vehicles NEVADA Statewide Time limit• 15 minutes Fines• $100 to $500 for first offense• $500 to $1,000 for second offense• $1,000 to $1,500 for third offense• $1,500 to $2,500 for fourth and more offenses within a three-year period Exemptions• Variance has been issued• Emergency vehicles• Snow removal equipment• Repair or maintain other vehicles• Traffic congestion• Maintenance at repair facility• Emission contained and treated per commission• To perform specific task Clark County (including Las Vegas)
Time limit• 15 minutes Fines• Not more than $10,000 Exemptions• Variance has been issued• Emergency vehicles• Repair or maintain other vehicles• Traffic congestion• Emission contained and treated per control officer• To perform a specific task• Maintenance at repair facility Washoe County Time limit• 15 minutes Fines• Not more than $250 for first offense• Not less than $250 or more than $500 for subsequent offenses Exemptions• Emergency vehicles• Snow removal equipment• Repair or maintain other vehicles• Traveling on public rights-of-way• To perform specific task• Maintenance at repair facility NEW HAMPSHIRE Statewide Truck Idling Laws Time limit• 5 minutes if more than 32 degrees• 15 minutes if 32 degrees to minus 10 degrees Fines• To be determined Exemptions• Traffic conditions• Emergency vehicles• Power takeoff or heat/cool passengers• Maintenance or diagnostics• Defrost windshield• Less than 10 degrees NEW JERSEY Statewide Time limit• 3 minutes• 15 minutes if stopped for more than 3 hours and less than 25 degrees
Fines• $100 for first offense• $200 for second offense• $500 for third offense• $1,500 for subsequent offensesPenalties for commercial vehicle andproperty owner• $250 for first offense• $500 for second offense• $1000 for subsequent offenses Exemptions • Traffic conditions• Mechanical operations• Waiting or being inspected• Performing emergency services• Being repaired or serviced• Use of a sleeper-berth in non-residential areas before April 30, 2010• Auxiliary power unit/generator set, bunk heaters etc. NEW YORK Statewide Time limit• 5 minutes Fines• Not less than $375 or more than $15,000 for first offense• Not more than $22,500 for subsequent offenses Exemptions• Traffic conditions• Comply with passenger comfort laws• Auxiliary power or maintenance• Emergency vehicles• Within mines or quarries• Parked for more than 2 hours and less than 25 degrees• State inspections• Farm vehicles City of New Rochelle Time limit• 5 minutes Fines• Up to $50 and/or 15 days in jail for first offense• Up to $100 and/or 45 days in jail for second offense within 18 months• Up to $250 and/or 90 days in jail for subsequent offenses within 18 months Exemptions• Traffic conditions• Comply with passenger comfort laws• Auxiliary power or maintenance• Emergency vehicles• Within mines or quarries• Parked for more than 2 hours and less than 25 degrees• State inspections• Farm vehicles New York City Truck Idling Laws Time limit• 3 minutes• 1 minute if adjacent to a public school Fines• $50 to $500 and/or 20 days in jail on first offense• $100 to $1,000 and/or up to 30 days in jail on second offense• $400 to $5,000 and/or up to 4 months on subsequent offenses Exemptions• Emergency vehicles• Operate loading, unloading or processing device Rockland County Time limit• 3 consecutive minutes Fines• Not more than $250 and/or 15 days in jail on first offense• Nor more than $1,000 and/or 15 days in jail on second and subsequent offenses Exemptions• Traffic conditions• Comply with passenger comfort laws• Power for auxiliary purposes• Maintenance• Performing emergency services NORTH CAROLINA Five minute idle time. Idling beyond this limit is allowed for air conditioning or heating during federal mandated rest period. This exemption expires May 1, 2011. Also exempt include idling which meet the California low-NOx idling standard and when using an APU. PENNSYLVANIA StatewideTime limit• 5 minutes in any one hour period• 15 minutes an hour if sampling, weighing, or loading or unloading Fines• $150 to $300 per offense plus civil penalties up to $1000 Exemptions • Traffic conditions• Prevent safety or health emergencies• Comply with manufacturer’s specifications• Emergency or law enforcement purposes• Maintenance or repair• Government or security inspections• Power work-related operations• Mechanical difficulties• Within mines or quarries• Sleeper berth A/C or heat during rest or sleep periods when temperatures are less than 40 degrees or higher than 75 degrees and parked legally (exemption expires May 1, 2010)• Vehicles with CARB low-NOx idle labels Allegheny County Time limit• 5 minutes• 20 minutes per hour if less than 40 degrees or more than 75 degrees Fines• Warning for first offense• $100 for second offense• $500 for subsequent offenses Exemptions• Traffic conditions• Queuing (waiting in line)• Cool down/warm up per manufacturer’s recommendations• Sleeping/resting in truck• Safety inspections• Ensure safe operation• Emergency vehicles• Power accessory or service equipment• Repair or diagnostics City of Philadelphia Truck Idling Laws Time limit• 2 minutes, or 0 minutes for layovers• 5 minutes if less than 32 degrees• 20 minutes if less than 20 degrees Fines• $300 Exemptions• None RHODE ISLAND Statewide Time limit• 5 minutes in any 1-hour period• 15 minutes per hour when between zero and 32 degrees• No limit when below zero Fines• Not more than $100 for first offense• Not more than $500 for subsequent offenses Exemptions• Traffic conditions• Ensure health or safety of driver/passengers• Power work-related operations• Sleeper cabs during federally mandated rest periods (expires July 1, 2010)• Maintenance, serving, repairing or diagnostic purposes• State or federal inspections• Emergency or law enforcement purposes• Auxiliary power unit/generator set SOUTH CAROLINA Statewide Truck Idling Laws Time limit• 10 minutes in any 1-hour period Fines• $75 for each offense Exemptions• Traffic conditions• Prevent safety or health emergency• Emergency or law enforcement purposes• Maintenance, serving, repairing or diagnostic purposes• State or federal inspections• Power work-related operations• Sleeper berth A/C or heat during (a) rest or sleep periods; (b) less than 40 degrees or higher than 80 degrees; or (c) at rest areas, terminals, truck stops, or legal parking locations less than 500 ft from homes or schools• While waiting to load/unload TEXAS Truck Idling Laws Update As of Sept 1,2009, trucks are no longer allowed to idle during federally mandated rest periods. Cities and counties in Texas that enforce idling restrictions have agreed to sign a memorandum of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that limits idling to five minutes at a time. The memorandum exempted idling during government mandated rest periods, but that exemption ended on Sept. 1. Cities of Arlington, Austin, Bastrop, Benbrook, Celina, Colleyville, Dallas, Elgin, Euless, Georgetown, Hurst, Hutto, Keene, Lake Worth, Lancaster, Little Elm, Lockhart, Luling, Mabank, McKinney, Mesquite, North Richland Hills, Pecan Hill, Round Rock, San Marcos, University Park and Westlake Counties of Bastrop, Caldwell, Collin, Hays, Kaufman, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson Time limit• 5 minutes from April to October Fines• Varies by jurisdiction Exemptions• 14,000 pounds GVW or less• Traffic conditions• Emergency or law enforcement• To perform needed work• Maintenance or diagnostics• Defrost windshield• HOS compliance UTAH Statewide Time limit• Cannot leave running unattended Fines• Not more than $750 and/or not more than 90 days of imprisonment Exemptions• None City of Salt Lake Truck Idling Laws Time limit• 15 minutes Fines• Up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months in jail on first offense• Up to $2,500 and/or up to 1 year in jail on second and subsequent offenses within 2 years Exemptions• Reefer unit if more than 500 feet from any residence• To heat/cool sleeper-berth if more than 500 feet from any residence• Emergency vehicles VIRGINIA Statewide Truck Idling Laws Time limit• 10 minutes in commercial or residential urban areas Fines• Not more than $25,000 Exemptions• Auxiliary power West Virginia 15 minute idle limit. An exemption is provided for sleeping or resting in sleeper when temperature are less than 40 F or greater than 75 F. This exemption expires May 1, 2012. An Exemption is also provided for trucks displaying a CARB-issued low-NOx idle label. Return from Truck Idling Laws to Laws And Regulations Return from Truck Idling Laws to Smart Trucking Jobs Home Page  Custom Search |
