Idle Reduction Laws and Incentives in Maryland

The list below contains summaries of all Maryland laws and incentives related to idle reduction.

Laws and Regulations

Idle Reduction Requirement

A motor vehicle engine may not operate for more than five consecutive minutes when the vehicle is not in motion, with the following exceptions:

1. when traffic conditions or mechanical difficulties do not allow the vehicle to operate;
2. when it is necessary to operate heating, cooling or auxiliary equipment installed on the vehicle;
3. to bring vehicle to manufacturer’s recommended operating temperature; or
4. if idling is necessary to accomplish the intended use of the vehicle.

(Reference Maryland Statutes, Transportation Code 22-402)

State Incentives

Idle Reduction Weight Exemption

Any motor vehicle equipped with a qualified auxiliary power unit (APU) or idle reduction technology may exceed the state gross, axle, tandem, or bridge weight limits by up to 550 pounds to account for the weight of the technology. The additional weight may not exceed the actual weight of the idle reduction unit. The vehicle operator must be able to provide written certification of the weight of the APU or idle reduction technology and demonstrate that the technology is fully functional.

(Reference Maryland Statutes, Transportation Code 24-109)

select a state Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Federal