Breathe easier, California! Turn off your engine.
Breathe easier, California! Turn off your engine.
What is idling?
Idling is running a vehicle’s engine while it is not moving. Unnecessary idling by diesel-fueled trucks, buses, and passenger vehicles near homes, schools, and shopping centers raises concern for many communities across California.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) enforces clean air rules for idling diesel trucks and buses throughout the state. Although CARB’s idling rules do not apply to passenger vehicles, it is important to reduce idling all the same to help protect our community’s health and our environment.
Why reduce idling? By turning off our engines, we can…
Community Health
Protect the health of our most at-risk community members, like children, the elderly, and those with health conditions such as asthma and heart related issues. Recent studies find nearly 3 times as many people die from air pollution-related deaths as from car accidents annually.
Environment
Improve the environment. Stopping all unnecessary idling in the U.S.
is about the same as removing the pollution from 5 million vehicles, or
planting 30 million acres of trees, every year.
is about the same as removing the pollution from 5 million vehicles, or
planting 30 million acres of trees, every year.
Savings
Save money by reducing unnecessary (and costly) wear and tear. Researchers estimate that idling from trucks, buses, and cars in the U.S. wastes about 6 billion gallons of fuel annually.
Diesel truck and bus idling enforcement
CARB has rules that limit diesel truck and bus idling to 5 minutes everywhere. Trucks and buses with certified Clean Idle stickers can idle for more than 5 minutes in unrestricted areas, but are still not allowed to idle in restricted areas. This rule does not apply to cars
or pick-up trucks.
CARB has rules that limit diesel truck and bus idling to 5 minutes everywhere. Trucks and buses with certified Clean Idle stickers can idle for more than 5 minutes in unrestricted areas, but are still not allowed to idle in restricted areas. This rule does not apply to cars
or pick-up trucks.
Exceptions to these rules exist. Truck and bus idling is not allowed in places defined by
CARB as “restricted areas” such as schools, homes, hospitals, and senior and
childcare facilities within 100 feet of the property line. Many of California’s trucks and buses are already certified clean idle vehicles, which means that they can idle for more than 5 minutes in unrestricted areas.
CARB as “restricted areas” such as schools, homes, hospitals, and senior and
childcare facilities within 100 feet of the property line. Many of California’s trucks and buses are already certified clean idle vehicles, which means that they can idle for more than 5 minutes in unrestricted areas.
Last year, in CARB’s Community Air Protection Program selected communities in
Southern California, enforcement staff found over 98% of trucks and buses were
following the idling rules.
Southern California, enforcement staff found over 98% of trucks and buses were
following the idling rules.
What can you do to help?
1. Limit all idling time. Although CARB’s idling rules do not apply to passenger vehicles
(e.g., cars or pick-up trucks), idling of all vehicles causes damage to our health and our
environment. If possible, turn off your engine if you are waiting for more than 10 seconds.
1. Limit all idling time. Although CARB’s idling rules do not apply to passenger vehicles
(e.g., cars or pick-up trucks), idling of all vehicles causes damage to our health and our
environment. If possible, turn off your engine if you are waiting for more than 10 seconds.
2. Keep your car well-maintained. A poorly maintained vehicle pollutes the air more than
a well-maintained vehicle, and may also burn more fuel. These vehicles break down more often leading to a damaged engine and costly repairs.
a well-maintained vehicle, and may also burn more fuel. These vehicles break down more often leading to a damaged engine and costly repairs.
3. Report diesel trucks and buses idling in your community by calling 1-800-END-SMOG
(1-800-363-7664) or visiting calepa.ca.gov/enforcement/complaints. Remember, trucks and
buses with certified Clean Idle stickers can idle for more than 5 minutes in unrestricted areas.
(1-800-363-7664) or visiting calepa.ca.gov/enforcement/complaints. Remember, trucks and
buses with certified Clean Idle stickers can idle for more than 5 minutes in unrestricted areas.
Include the following information when reporting an idling vehicle of concern:
• Where did the idling occur?
• When did it occur? Is it ongoing?
• Who or what was the cause?
• Photos, videos, and front and rear license plate numbers, if possible.
• When did it occur? Is it ongoing?
• Who or what was the cause?
• Photos, videos, and front and rear license plate numbers, if possible.
Contact us
COES@arb.ca.gov | arb.ca.gov/truckstop