Vehicle Idling Restrictions

Information and documents on the vehicle idling restriction that applies to any local jurisdiction in Texas that has signed an agreement with the TCEQ.

This rule limits the idling of vehicles in any local jurisdiction that has signed an agreement with the TCEQ.

What's New

On August 8, 2012, the TCEQ adopted rule revision amending 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 114, Subchapter J, Division 2, the Motor Vehicle Idling Limitations. This rule revision added an exemption to the Vehicle Idling Limitations Rule for motor vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight greater than 14,000 pounds and are equipped with a 2008 or newer engine that has been certified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or a state environmental agency to emit no more than 30 grams of NOx per hour when idling.

On July 20, 2011, the TCEQ adopted rule revision amending the Vehicle Idling Limitations. The rule revision expanded the enforcement period from April 1 - October 31 to allow for year round enforcement, and removed the expired prohibition for drivers using sleeper berths to idle in residential zones, school zones, and near hospitals. The rule revision also added an exemption for armored vehicles.

Background

Description:

This rule, which was first established in December 2004, places idling limits on gasoline and diesel-powered engines of heavy-duty motor vehicles in any local jurisdiction that has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the TCEQ. This rule prohibits any person in the affected local jurisdiction from permitting the primary propulsion engine of a heavy-duty motor vehicle to idle for more than five consecutive minutes when the vehicle is not in motion. The aim of this program is to lower NOxand other emissions from fuel combustion.

Areas affected:

Statewide, in any local jurisdiction that has signed an MOA with the TCEQ to implement and enforce the Motor Vehicle Idling Rule

Start date:

December 9, 2004

End date:

None

Source type:

On-road mobile source

Emissions targeted:

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x)

Rule/Citation:

30 TAC 114, Subchapter J, Division 2

Participants that have signed an MOA with the TCEQ

North Central Texas Area
City of Arlington
City of Benbrook
City of Cedar Hill
City of Celina
City of Colleyville
City of Dallas
City of Duncanville
City of Euless
City of Fort Worth
City of Hurst
City of Keene
City of Lake Worth
City of Lancaster
City of Mabank
City of McKinney
City of Mesquite
City of North Richland Hills
City of Pecan Hill
City of Richardson
City of Rowlett
City of University Park
City of Venus
Town of Little Elm
Town of Westlake
Collin County
Dallas County
Kaufman County
Tarrant County

Central Texas Area
City of Austin
City of Bastrop
City of Georgetown
City of Hutto
City of Lockhart
City of Luling
City of Round Rock
City of San Marcos
Bastrop County
Caldwell County
Hays County
Travis County
Williamson County