Idle Reduction Requirement
A vehicle may not idle for more than five minutes from April through October in cities and counties where the local government has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Exemptions apply for the following: vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 14,000 pounds (lbs.) or less; traffic conditions; emergency or law enforcement; to perform needed work; maintenance or diagnostics; defrost windshield; airport ground support; rented/leased vehicles; and hours of service compliance. Vehicles may idle for up to 30 minutes for bus passenger comfort or transit operations. Fines vary by jurisdiction.
CEQ may not prohibit or limit the idling of any vehicle with a GVWR greater than 8,500 lbs., provided that the vehicle is equipped with a 2008 or subsequent model year heavy-duty diesel or natural gas engine that is certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or another state agency to emit no more than 30 grams of nitrogen oxides per hour when idling.
(Reference Senate Bill 493, 2011; Texas Statutes, Health and Safety Code 382.0191; and Texas Administrative Code 30.114.510-30.114.517)