Idle Reduction Laws and Incentives in California
The list below contains summaries of all California laws and incentives related to idle reduction.
State Incentives
Emissions Reductions Grants
The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Program) provides incentives to cover the incremental cost of purchasing engines and equipment that are cleaner than required by law. Eligible projects include heavy-duty fleet modernization, light-duty vehicle replacements and retrofits, idle reduction technology, off-road vehicle and equipment purchases, and alternative fuel and electric vehicle infrastructure projects. The Program provides funds for significant near-term reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions, reactive organic gases, and particulate matter emissions. Funding is available until January 1, 2034. The California Air Resources Board, in consultation with local air districts, must convene working groups to evaluate the Program’s policies and goals.
Contact local air districts and see the program website for more information about grant funding availability and distribution.
(Reference California Health and Safety Code 44275-44299.2)
Point of Contact
Moyer Help
California Air Resources Board
MoyerHelp@arb.ca.gov
Laws and Regulations
Heavy-Duty Truck Idle Reduction Requirement
A driver of a diesel-fueled vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds may not idle the vehicle’s primary engine for more than five consecutive minutes at any location, and is not allowed to operate a diesel-fueled auxiliary power system (APS) on the vehicle for more than five minutes when located within 100 feet of a restricted area. Exceptions apply in certain situations and for certain vehicles. Any internal combustion APS used in California must comply with applicable state off-road and/or federal non-road emissions standards and test procedures for its fuel type and power category to ensure that emissions do not exceed the emissions of a truck engine operating at idle. Model Year 2008 and newer heavy-duty diesel engines must be equipped with non-programmable engine shutdown systems that automatically shut down the engine after five minutes of idling or optionally meet a stringent nitrogen oxide idling emissions standard. A heavy-duty diesel engine certified for optional idling emissions standards must have a “certified clean idle” label, issued by the engine manufacturer, affixed permanently on the driver’s side hood of the truck. Similarly, off-road diesel engine APSs fitted with a proper, verified level 3 diesel particulate filter must have a “verified clean APS” label, issued by the APS manufacturer, affixed permanently on the driver’s side hood of the truck.
Operators of trucks equipped with sleeper berths are required to shut down the engine manually when idling more than five minutes at any location within California and are subject to fines for violation. The California Department of Motor Vehicles will not register, renew, or transfer registration for any vehicle operator who has received a violation until the violation is cleared.
For more information, see the California Air Resources Board Heavy-Duty Vehicle Idling Emission Reduction Program website.
(Reference California Code of Regulations Title 13, Section 2485)
Idle Reduction Effort Support
The California Legislature urges motorists to not idle their vehicles in spaces where children congregate, such as schools and parks.
(Reference Assembly Concurrent Resolution 160, 2016)
Idle Reduction Requirement at Schools
A school bus driver must turn off the engine upon stopping at a school, or within 100 feet of a school, and may not turn the engine on more than 30 seconds before departing from the location. When the bus is at least 100 feet away from a school, the driver may not idle the engine for more than five consecutive minutes, or for periods totaling more than five minutes during any one hour period. Transit and commercial vehicle operators may not idle for more than five consecutive minutes at each stop within 100 feet of a school, or for periods totaling more than five minutes during any one hour period. Exemptions apply for necessary idling while stopped in traffic, at traffic signals, and at the direction of law enforcement personnel. For more information, see the California Air Resources Board School Bus Idling Airborne Toxic Control Measure website.
(Reference California Code of Regulations Title 13, Section 2480)
More Laws and Incentives
To find laws and incentives for other alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, search all laws and incentives.