Buses are not to idle longer than 3 minutes in accordance with the law. All buses are to turn off their engines upon arriving for dismissal lineup and when waiting for pupils to board for field trips or athletic events.
*Summary of N.J. Idling Requirements for Motor Vehicles
N.J.A.C. 7:27-14,15*
All vehicles may idle for up to three minutes with the following exceptions:
• DIESEL only may idle for up to 15 consecutive minutes when the vehicle has been
stopped for 3 or more hours and ONLY if the outside temperature is <25 degrees F
• Buses may idle while actively discharging or picking up passengers for 15 consecutive
minutes in a 60-minute period
• No idling is allowed in a parking space with available and functioning electrification
technology
Three-minute idling limit does NOT apply to:
• Motor vehicles stopped in traffic
• Motor vehicles whose primary power source is utilized in whole or in part for necessary
and prescribed mechanical operations such as refrigeration units for perishable loads,
hydraulic lifts, “cherry pickers”, or similar equipment
• Motor vehicles waiting to be examined by state or federal motor vehicle inspectors or
motor vehicles while being repaired
• Vehicles that are actively performing emergency services, such as fire, police, snow
removal, and utility vehicles
• Operation of auxiliary or alternate power systems for cabin comfort
• A motor vehicle with a sleeper berth, equipped with a 2007 or newer engine, or that
has been retrofitted with a diesel particulate filter while the driver is resting or sleeping
in the sleeper berth. Other idling is still prohibited.
PENALTIES: For commercial vehicle and property owner, $250 for first violation, $500 for
second violation, $1000 for third and each subsequent violation.
For further questions, call NJDEP’s Bureau of Mobile Sources at (609) 292-7953