Where You Can Idle and Where You Can’t- Part I
These days, engine idling is on most truckers minds. Some have taken it upon themselves to save fuel while others take offense to the idea that they can’t idle their trucks at their own discretion. Truckers these days have more options than they did in the old days. More and more trucks are equipped with idling reduction technology- Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) and Fuel Operated Heaters (FOHs), for example. And, though there are flaws in its implementation, there is also the option of using Idleaire technology at some truck stops. Idleaire provides climate control and power to trucks parked in designated truck stop parking spots. There are pros and cons to all these options.
In Part I of this series, we’ll explain the idling rules in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, and Georgia.
Arizona: Only Maricopa County in Arizona has idling restrictions (Maricopa County encompasses the metropolitan areas around Phoenix).
Maximum Idling Time: 5 minutes.
Exceptions: Traffic or adverse weather conditions, emergency or law enforcement reasons, use of a power take off for work purposes, conforming to manufacturer’s specifications, maintenance or diagnostics, hours of service compliance.
Fines: First offense- $100, second offense (or more)- $300.
California: California idling laws are added to by two the city of Sacramento and by Placer County (Lake Tahoe area). If the truck engine is a year 2007 or newer, FOH operation is not allowed. If the truck engine is 2006 or older, use of an APU or other certified idling reduction technology is allowed. California has many restrictions and requirements for APUs and other idling reduction technology.
Maximum Idling Time: 5 minutes for both the engine and any APU if parked within 100 feet of a restricted area (residential etc).
Exceptions: Traffic conditions, adverse weather conditions, mechanical problems, vehicle safety inspections (where idling the engine is necessary to check for safe operation of items), service or repair to equipment, power take off for work purposes, prevention of a safety or health emergency.
City of Sacramento Additional Exceptions: Conforming to manufacturer’s specifications, hours of service compliance if the truck is parked at a truck stop or rest area.
City of Sacramento Additional Restrictions: Refrigeration units (Thermoking, Carrier, etc) are not allowed to be run within 100 feet of residential areas or schools unless loading or unloading.
Placer County Additional Exceptions: Conforming to manufacturer’s specifications, operation of intermittent equipment, hours of service compliance if the truck is parked at a truck stop or rest area.
Placer County Additional Restrictions: Refrigeration units (Thermoking, Carrier, etc) are not allowed to be run within 1000 feet of residential areas or schools unless loading or unloading (30 minutes allowed for waiting).
Fines: Minimum fine of $300.
Additional Fine Info City of Sacramento: Fines will not be less than $100, nor more than $25,000 per violation.
Additional Fine Info Placer County: Minimum fine of $50.
Colorado: The city of Aspen, Colorado City and Denver County have idling restrictions.
Maximum Idling Time- City of Aspen: 5 minutes in any 1 hour period.
Maximum Idling Time- Colorado City/Denver County: 10 minutes in any 1 hour period.
Exceptions- City of Aspen: To achieve an engine temperature of 120 degrees and/or air pressure of 100 lbs. Buses are allowed to idle while loading or unloading passengers in addition to the 5 minute maximium.
Exceptions- Colorado City/Denver County: If the outside air temperature has been less than 20 degrees (F) for 24 hours or if the air temperature is less than 10 degrees (F), if traffic conditions warrant idling, if the vehicle is being serviced.
Fines- City of Aspen: Maximum of $1,000 and/or 1 year imprisonment
Fines- Colorado City/Denver County: Not less than $999 and/or 1 year imprisonment.
Connecticut:
Maximum Idling Time: 3 minutes
Exceptions: Traffic conditions, mechanical difficulties, conforming to manufacturer’s specifications, if the outside air temperature is less than 20 degrees (F), maintenance.
Fines: Not more than $5,000 per week.
Delaware:
Maximum Idling Time: 3 minutes, 15 minutes if outside air temperature is between 32 degrees (F) and -10 degrees (F), no limit if outside air temperature is less than -10 degrees (F).
Exceptions: Traffic conditions, mechanical difficulties, conforming to manufacturer’s specifications, repairs, using a power take off, to provide power while sleeping or resting if there is no truck stop with electrical power provided within 25 miles, safety inspections.
Fines: From $50 to $500 per offense.
District of Columbia:
Maximum Idling Time: 3 minutes, 5 minutes if outside air temperature is less than 32 degrees (F).
Exceptions: Using a power take off
Fines: Undetermined
Florida: Florida’s idling restrictions go into effect December 15, 2008.
Maximum Idling Time: 5 minutes
Exceptions: Traffic conditions, vehicle safety inspection (pre-trip), work related idling, to provide heat or air conditioning in order to prevent a safety or health related emergency (but not for the sole purpose of driver comfort), to provide power while sleeping or resting in the sleeper berth (this exemption is slated to expire in September of 2013).
Fines: Undetermined
Georgia: The state of Georgia is still determining their idling standards but the City of Atlanta does enforce idling restrictions. Georgia plans to adopt anti-idling legislation to be enforced starting May 2009.
Maximum Idling time- Atlanta: 15 minutes, 25 minutes if the outside air temperature is less than 32 degrees (F).
Proposed Exceptions: Repair, maintenance, using a power take of for work purposes.
Exceptions- Atlanta: To perform work-related duties, traffic conditions.
Fines: Minimum $500
This information was compiled from various sources including various state and local legal codes and the ATRI.
Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult enforcement officials and/or a lawyer if you want professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation.
