Browse regulations, laws and recommendations on school bus idling limits across the U.S. More information, research, recommendations and toolkits are available on the U.S. EPA’s National Clean School Bus web page (click on the “Idle Reduction” tab).
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Alabama: Alabama State Board of Education adopted a Resolution proclaiming the benefits of a No Idling Campaign for school buses. Alabama Department of Education, Pupil Transportation, No Idling Resolution.
Source: Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-3-.02
Alaska: None for school buses
Arizona: Voluntary participation in School Bus Idling Reduction Program. School bus drivers must turn off the bus upon reaching a school or other location and must not turn on the engine until necessary to depart from the school or other location. Driver must park the bus at least 100 feet away from known and active school air intake system unless the school district has determined that alternative locations block traffic, impair student safety, or are not cost-effective. Employer of the school bus driver must ensure the driver is informed of the requirements of this policy. School district will post limited idling and idle reduction zone signs and alert bus drivers, parents, administrators, and vendors that engines should be turned off when a vehicle is waiting or parked. School districts will identify an indoor waiting area for individuals to discourage waiting for students in an idling vehicle; school districts should include “limited idling” policy in contracts with vendors and other vehicles that will be in close proximity to students. Complaints of noncompliance are reviewed, and remedial action is taken as necessary.
Source: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Arkansas: None for school buses
California: All school bus drivers must turn off bus upon stopping at a school or within 100 feet of a school and must not turn the bus on more than 30 seconds before beginning to depart from a school or from within 100 feet of a school. No idling allowed at any location greater than 100 feet from a school for more than five consecutive minutes, or a period or periods aggregating more than 5 minutes in any one hour.
Source: California Department of Education, Final Regulations Order – Airborne Toxic Control
Colorado: Five-minute idle limit within a 60-minute period for all diesel-powered CMVs with a GVWR of more than 14,000 pounds, including school buses. Several local jurisdictions have idle limits ranging from 30 seconds to 15 for any diesel vehicle or certain vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds.
Connecticut: Three-minute idle limit for all school buses except when stuck in traffic, experiencing “mechanical difficulties” or in process of loading/unloading students. Limit can be surpassed to operate heating, cooling or auxiliary equipment when the outdoor temperature is less than 20 degrees, “maintain safe temperature for students with special needs” or repair bus.
Source: Public Act No. 02-56
Delaware: Five-minute idle limit for transit or school buses prior to passenger boarding or when passengers are on board. Idling for up to 15 consecutive minutes is allowed when the outside temperature is between -10 degrees and 32 degrees. No idling limit with the temperature is below -10 degrees.
Source: Delaware Administrative Code, Title 7, Natural Resources and Environmental Control, 1100 Air Quality Management, 1145 – Excessive Idling of Heavy Duty Vehicles
District of Columbia: Three-minute idle limit for all gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles, including school buses but exempting personal passenger vehicles. Idling can increase to five minutes when the temperature is 32 degrees or below.
Source: D.C. Municipal Register, Title 20, Chapter 20-9, Section 20-900 Engine Idling
Florida: No statewide regulation following 2011 repeal of law prohibiting idling of vehicles weighing 8,500 pounds or more. Tallahassee limits idling to five minutes for all city-owned or leased vehicles and equipment.
Source: Municipal Anti-Idling and Fuel Conservation Policy (E401)
Georgia: No idling zones at school campuses for morning drop off, afternoon pick up and at all destinations during field and athletic trips. Exceptions include loading or unloading a wheelchair, operating the air conditioning or heater for a medically fragile student. In cold weather situations, drivers may also congregate on one idling bus when waiting for students during afternoon pick up.
Source: Guidelines for the Elimination of Unnecessary School Bus Idling
Hawaii: All motor vehicles, school buses not specifically mentioned. Engine may not be in operation while the motor vehicle is stationary at a loading zone, parking or servicing area, route terminal, or other off-street area.
Source: Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 60.1 (penalties covered under Hawaii Revised Statutes, Haw. Rev. Stat. §342B-47)
Idaho: Voluntary program from Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to erect Clean Air Zones near schools. Encourages school bus drivers to not idle on school grounds as well as other motorists to turn off engine while waiting for students.
Source: Clean Air Zone Program for Citizens
Illinois: State has several local ordinances restricting idling in diesel and commercial vehicles, but school buses are not specified. However, Chicago limits idling to three minutes in a 60-minute period for all city fleet vehicles. No idling signs are posted at schools in several communities in and around Chicago, and other cities have experimented with idle restriction policies.
Source: Clean Air Counts, 625 Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) 5/11-1429, City of Chicago Vehicle Idling Management Policy
Indiana: “Schools shall adopt and enforce a written policy to address any idling vehicles on school grounds. This policy shall be modeled after the state department’s manual of best practices for managing IAQ [indoor air quality] in schools. This policy shall be available for the state inspector’s review.” The City of Fort Wayne restricts idling to five minutes per 60-minute period for all city-owned vehicles.
Source: 410 Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 33-4-3 Vehicle idling Authority: IC 16-19-3-5; IC 16-41-37.5 Affected: IC 16-41-37.5; City Energy Policy enacted by Mayor Graham Richard (1/18/07)
Iowa: No known restrictions.
Kansas: No statewide program, but the counties of Johnson and Wyandotte restrict idling to five minutes in a 60-minute period for all diesel-powered vehicles weighing more than 14,001 pounds that are designed primarily for transporting passengers on a public street or highway.
Source: Kansas Administrative Regulations, 28-19-712, Idle Reduction Rule
Kentucky: None for school buses
Louisiana: No statewide regulation, but New Orleans restricts all bus idling to 10 minutes in the French Quarter and the Garden District and to 20 minutes in the rest of the city.
Sources: New Orleans, Louisiana Code of Ordinances, Part II, Chapter 162, Vehicles for Hire, Article IX, Tour Vehicles and Buses, Section 162-941e; New Orleans, Louisiana Code of Ordinances, Part II, Chapter 162, Vehicles for Hire, Article IX, Tour Vehicles and Buses, Section 162-942; New Orleans, Louisiana Code of Ordinances, Part II, Chapter 122, Public Transit Vehicles, Section 122-52, Operating at Idle
Maine: “Passenger” buses may idle up to 15 minutes in a 60-minute period for a “to maintain passenger comfort while nondriver passengers are on board.”
Source: Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, §585-L
Maryland: All motor vehicles cannot idle for more than 5 consecutive limits, except Class L historic vehicles.
Source: Maryland Transportation Code, §22-402 (3)
Massachusetts: No “unnecessary” idling for all school buses and personal motor vehicles within 100 feet of school grounds. When outdoor temperature is less than 35 degrees or more than 80 degrees, school buses can idle for no more than three minutes in any 15-minute period to operate climate control when waiting to load or unload passengers. City-owned or leased vehicles in Boston must be inspected and certain models retrofitted with “effective emission-reduction equipment.”
Source: Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 90, Section 16B; Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 90 §16B; 540 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 27.00
Michigan: No statewide regulation, but an advisory practice published by the Pupil Transportation Advisory Committee recommends keeping idling “to the minimum possible” and to turn off bus engines when waiting to load or unload students, except when operating lifts, “other specialized equipment” and when needing to warm the bus.
Source: School Bus Emissions/Idling, http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/School_Bus_Emissions_325484_7.pdf
Minnesota: All school bus operators “must minimize to the extent practical” any engine idling and must park and load diesel buses “at sufficient distance from school air-intake systems.” Bus drivers must turn off diesel buses upon reaching a school or other destination and cannot turn the engine back on until it’s time to depart.
Source: Minnesota Statutes §123B.885
Mississippi: All school bus operators must minimize engine idling.
Source: Mississippi Code of 1972, Title 37 (Education), Chapter 11 (General Provisions Pertaining to Education), Miss. Code Ann. §37-11-71 (2014); Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Healthy Schools
Missouri: The Missouri Department of Natural Resources encourages school districts to adopt anti-idling policies for school buses. Several counties including St. Louis and the Kansas City Ozone Maintenance Area restrict bus idling to 15 minutes in any 60-minute period to maintain passenger comfort.
Source: Mo. Code. Regs. 10 §10-2.385; 10 CSR 10-2.385
Montana: The Montana Department of Environmental Quality encourages schools to establish guidelines to reduce or eliminate idling of buses and other vehicles and to park buses away from intake vents and children’s gathering places.
Source: http://deq.mt.gov/Recycle/CleanAirZone.mcpx
Nebraska: No program for school buses
Nevada: All diesel trucks and buses statewide cannot idle for more than 15 consecutive minutes.
Sources: Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 445B.576; Clark County Air Quality Regulations, Section 45; Washoe County, District Board of Health Regulations Governing Air Quality Management, Section 040.200
New Hampshire: All diesel and gasoline-powered motor vehicles statewide cannot idle for more than five consecutive minutes when the temperature is above 32 degrees or for more than 15 consecutive minutes when the temperature is between -10 and 32 degrees. There is no idling restriction when the temperature falls below -10 degrees.
Source: Department of Environmental Services, Administrative Rules Env-A 1101.05, 1101.06, and 1101.09
New Jersey: Idle restriction of three consecutive minutes for diesel- or gasoline-powered school buses, or 15 consecutive minutes in a 60-minute period when loading or unloading passengers, except when waiting in traffic or operating passenger compartment heaters or air conditioners.
Sources: New Jersey Administrative Code Title 7, Ch. 27-14.3; N.J.A.C. 7:27-14; New Jersey Administrative Code Title 7, Ch. 27-15.8; N.J.A.C. 7:27-15.8
New Mexico: No known restrictions.
New York: Diesel- or nondiesel-powered, heavy-duty vehicles “designed primarily to transport persons or property” can idle a maximum of five minutes statewide. New York City reduces that limit to three minutes or one minute if the vehicle is adjacent to a school. Several counties have their own local regulations.
Sources: New York Code of Rules & Regulations, Title 6, Ch. 3, Part 217-3.2, 6 NYCRR §217-3.2; NYC Administrative Code §24-163; also Rules of the City of New York, Title 34 Chapter 4, Section 4-08(p)
North Carolina: State law prohibits all unnecessary school bus idling on school grounds and prohibits the warming up of buses for more than five minutes.
Source: N.C. Gen Stat. §115C-12(34), Duty to protect the health of school age children from toxicants at school
North Dakota: West Fargo has only known regulation, a five-minute limit for all school district-owned or contracted school buses when the temperature is higher than 32 degrees. The limit is increased to 10 minutes if the temperatures is between freezing and 10 below and to 15 minutes if the temperature falls below -10.
Source: West Fargo School District 6 School Bus Anti-Idling Program
Ohio: No state regulation is found, but several cities limit or prohibit idling of city or municipal vehicles, however school buses are not specifically mentioned. Participating cities include Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus.
Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center
Oklahoma: No regulations, but the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments recommends school bus idling of no more than five minutes as well as the implementation of local driver training programs and written policies for exact idle times for ambient temperature ranges.
Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center
Oregon: Five-minute idle limit in any 60-minute period “on any premises open to the public.” Applies to commercial vehicles with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds. Idling allowed for up to 30 minutes when waiting to load or unload.
Sources: Chapter 349, Oregon Laws, 2011
Pennsylvania: School buses may not idle more than 15 minutes in a continuous 60-minute period, except to regulate onboard temperature for students with special needs. In Allegheny County, “heavy-duty, diesel-powered school buses” may be idle for more than 5 consecutive minutes. Idling is allowed for no more than 20 minutes to regulate onboard temperature if it is less than 40 degrees or more than 75 degrees outside. No restriction to operate heater or air conditioner for students with special needs. Phildelphia restricts idling to two minutes for all heavy-duty, diesel powered motor vehicles with GVWR of more than 8,500 pounds or with a passenger-carrying capacity of more than 12 persons. Engine may idle for five consecutive minutes with ambient temperature is less than 32 degrees. Idling maximum of 20 minutes when ambient temperature is less than 20 degrees or 75 degrees or higher.
Sources: Act 124 of 2008, 35 P.S.; Allegheny County Code of Ordinances §535; Air Management Regulation IX, Control of Emissions from Mobile Sources, Section III
Rhode Island: Five minutes in any 60-minute period for all diesel motor vehicles, excluding those with auxiliary power units. Allowable 15-minute idle per hour to provide heat when ambient temperature is between zero and 32 degrees. No restriction when temperature falls below zero.
Sources: Rhode Island General Laws § 31-16.1-3 and § 23-23-29; State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Department of Environmental Management Office of Air Resources Air Pollution Control Regulation, No. 45.
South Carolina: All 10,000-plus pound, commercial diesel buses designed to carry 16 or more passengers may idle no more than 15 minutes in any 60-minute period to operate heaters or air conditioners.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws 56-35
South Dakota: No known restrictions.
Tennessee: The City of Chattanooga restricts idling to five minutes for any vehicle powered by a diesel engine.
Source: Chattanooga Air Pollution Control Ordinance, Article II, Section 4-1, Rule 9.7
Texas: Vehicles with GVWR of more than 14,000 pounds operating in North Central or Central Texas and have signed a memorandum of agreement with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality must restrict idling to no more than five consecutive minutes, or 30 minutes for passenger comfort and safety “in vehicles intended for commercial or public passenger transportation.” A sample police to limit school bus idling for school districts and charter schools recommends no idling while parked at a school or school event, or waiting for students during field trips, extracurricular activities or other events where students are transported off school grounds. Exceptions include minimum idling to heat or cool the bus before departure; turbo-charged diesel engine cool down or warm up, based on manufacturer specifications; limited idling during emergency situations; use of heaters or air conditioners during loading, unloading and transport of students with special needs; and use of bus headlights and four-way flasher warning lights for visibility purposes.
Sources: Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, §114.512; Texas Clean School Bus Program
Utah: School bus drivers arriving at loading or unloading areas to drop off or pick up passengers shall turn off their buses as soon as possible to eliminate idling time and reduce harmful emissions. The school bus shall not be restarted until it is time to depart and there is a clear path to exit the pick-up area. At school bus depots, limit the idling time during early morning pre-trip and warm-up to what is recommended by the manufacturer (generally 3-5 minutes) in all but the coldest weather; buses shall not be idled while waiting for students during a field trip, extracurricular activities, or other events where students are transported off school grounds. In colder weather, schools are directed, where possible, to provide a space inside the school where bus drivers who arrive early can wait; in colder weather, if the warmth of the bus is an issue, idling is to be kept to the very minimum and occur outside the school zone. The “warmed” bus is to enter the school zone as close to pick-up time as possible to maintain warmth, and then shut down. Transportation Operations staff are directed to revise bus schedules so that school bus caravanning can be avoided and the cleanest buses are assigned to the longest routes. All drivers shall receive a copy of this standard at the beginning of every school year. The cool-down needed for the turbo must be addressed in a way that will protect the equipment from damage. Where possible, a slow, idled-down approach to the loading zone should be used to provide the cool-down needed for the turbo. Where sufficient idle-down is not obtained in the approach to the loading zone, a maximum of 3 minutes of idle-down is permissible. Each driver shall receive a minimum of 30 minutes of idling reduction instruction.
Source: Utah Code, Title 41, Motor Vehicles, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code, Section 1308, School Bus Idling Standards
Vermont: School buses on school grounds may idle no more than five minutes in a 60-minute period, except: to operate special equipment for disabled persons; to operate safety equipment other than lighting systems; and when the vehicle is being serviced and engine operation is essential to function being performed.
Source: Vermont Department of Education, State Board of Education Rule 6001-6005
Virginia: Propulsion engines of motor vehicles licensed for commercial or public service may idle no more than 3 minutes in commercial or residential area. Exceptions include: propulsion engines providing auxiliary power for purposes other than heating or air conditioning; tour buses may idle during hot weather for up to 10 minutes in order to maintain power to the air conditioning system; diesel-powered vehicles may idle for up to 10 minutes to minimize restart problems. The cities of Williamsburg and Richmond enforce five-minute idling restrictions for all city vehicles except under extreme weather conditions.
Sources: Virginia Administrative Code, Title 9, 5-40-5670; Personnel Manual of the City of Williamsburg, Section 602; Anti-Idling Policy: Vehicles and Equipment: A.R. 6.6, Issued by the Office of the Mayor
Washington: No application to school buses in state code, but the state’s School Bus Driver Handbook contains a section (page 21) on Diesel Emissions and Anti-Idling Policies. It recommends that bus drivers should turn off engines upon reaching the school or as soon as engine specifications permit. If severe climate conditions require idling, drivers should idle buses off school grounds and only as long as necessary. Drivers can complete most of their pre-trip inspection without the engine running. The pre-trip time with the engine running should take no more than five minutes and will allow drivers to complete the electrical portion of the inspection and any brake check. Air-brake equipped school buses need only be run long enough to build air pressure prior to departure from the bus garage (three to five minutes at most). School buses with hydraulic braking systems need no more than a 30-second warm-up. Time must be allowed for inspection of necessary items.
Source: Revised Code of Washington 46.61.600; www.k12.wa.us/Transportation/pubdocs/SBDhandbook.pdf
West Virginia: Fifteen-minute restriction per every 60 minutes for diesel-powered commercial motor vehicles with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more. Exceptions include “buses providing heating and air conditioning for nondriver passengers” and “School buses idling off school grounds queuing for discharge or pickup of students.”
Source: Code of West Virginia § 17C-13A; W. Va. Code § 17C-13A
Wisconsin: The City of Milwaukee requires school bus drivers to turn off engines while on Milwaukee Public School premises. Idling for early-morning warm up must be limited to manufacturers’ recommendations. The City of Madison restricts bus idling to 15 minutes except when outside temperature is below 40 degrees or above 80 degrees. Clean Air Wisconsin also recommends all school districts should enforce limits by posting signs and notifying contractor companies they work with; bus drivers should not idle for “lengthy times” in the morning and when waiting for students outside of schools, should arrive closer to the actual pick-up time or ask to wait in school lobby if it is too cold or hot to wait on the bus; and fleets should educate their drivers on best practices via training sessions.
Sources: Milwaukee Board of School Directors Busing Contract; City of Madison, Code of Ordinances 12.129(2); www.cleanairwisconsin.org/diesel.php
Wyoming: “No unattended standing” allowed for “vehicles on roads outside of business or residence districts.” No specific mention of school buses. But the Department of Education recommends school districts engage in no unnecessary idling.
Source: Wyoming Statutes, Title 31, Motor Vehicles, 31-5-505; Wyoming Department of Education, Traffic Safety/Pupil Transportation
