Idle Reduction Laws and Incentives in South Carolina

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

State Incentives

Diesel Emissions Reduction Grants

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (DES) provides U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions in South Carolina. Funding for eligible project costs is available to universities, private organizations, businesses, and local government entities that reduce diesel emissions by retrofitting engines, installing idle reduction technologies, or replacing vehicles and equipment. Additional terms and conditions apply. For more information, including funding amounts and how to apply, see the DES DERA Grants website.

Idle Reduction and Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Weight Exemptions

Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with idle reduction technology is allowed to exceed the maximum gross vehicle and axle weight limits by up to 550 pounds (lbs) to compensate for the added weight of the idle reduction technology. The vehicle operator must provide documentation that the vehicle is equipped with fully functional idle reduction technology.

A vehicle powered primarily by natural gas may exceed the state’s gross, single axle, tandem axle, or bridge formula weight limits by an amount equal to the difference of the weight of the natural gas tank and fueling system and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system, up to 2,000 lbs. Upon request, the vehicle operator must provide documentation that verifies the weight of the natural gas fueling system.

(Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 56-5-4160(M) and South Carolina Code of Laws 56-5-4160(L)))

Laws and Regulations

Idle Reduction Requirement

Vehicle operators may not idle any commercial diesel vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds for more than 10 minutes in any one-hour period. Exemptions apply for the following: traffic conditions; prevention of safety or health emergencies; emergency or law enforcement; maintenance, service, repair, or diagnostic purposes; state or federal inspections; power work-related operations; loading or unloading; sleeper berth temperature control during 1) rest or sleep periods, 2) times when the ambient outside air temperature is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit or greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or 3) at rest areas, terminals, truck stops, or legal parking locations greater than 500 feet from homes, schools, hospitals, or daycare facilities. Violators are subject to a $75 fine for each offense. A portion of the fine will go towards the Diesel Idling Reduction Fund operated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to develop an idling awareness program.

(Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 56-35-10 through 56-35-80)

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