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Idling Reduction:
State and Local Laws

EPA releases a model for a state idling law

Approximately 15 states and dozens of local counties have promulgated laws that restrict the amount of time that a vehicle can idle its main engine. In April 2006, EPA compiled a list of state and local anti-idling laws (PDF) (102 pp, 506K) (EPA420-B-06-004, April 2006). Since the publication of this document, new state and local anti-idling laws may have been passed, and existing laws may have been modified. For a continually updated list of state and local laws, see the American Transportation Research Institute's (ATRI's) current list of state and local laws (PDF) (7 pp, 74K) Exit EPA disclaimer

At the 2004 National Idle-Reduction Planning Conference hosted by the Federal government, the trucking industry expressed concern about the inconsistent pattern and impractical design among existing state and local idling restriction laws. According to the trucking industry, truck drivers and owners lack the knowledge and understanding of these laws, which decreases their ability to comply with these laws. In response to these concerns, EPA hosted a series of five public workshops.

The goal of the workshops was twofold: (1) to develop a model for a state idling law that would foster greater compliance through common understanding of requirements and ease of implementation; and (2) to raise awareness among the trucking industry, states, and environmental groups about each other's needs. For example, states and environmental groups want to reduce diesel emissions, and truck drivers need to rest comfortably and avoid fatigue-related vehicle accidents.

EPA organized and facilitated the five public workshops. Below is a summary of each of the workshops.

For the states, reducing idling translates into substantial reductions of air pollutants. For the trucking industry, reducing idling results in considerable fuel savings. According to EPA studies, long duration truck idling annually consumes more than one billion gallons of diesel fuel at considerable costs to the trucking industry. As a result, truck idling annually emits more than 11 million tons of carbon dioxide and more than 180,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, as well as fine particulate matter and other harmful air toxics.

On May 4, 2006, EPA released the product of these public workshops in the form of a model for a state idling law (PDF) (15 pp, 312K) (EPA420-S-06-001, April 2006) for states to consider adopting. EPA is not promulgating any type of regulation regarding vehicle idling. EPA's role is limited to that of a facilitator to help create more consistent idling laws around the country which will achieve greater fuel savings, emission reductions, and compliance with such laws.

SmartWay Transport is maintained by EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ).

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