Maine Idle Reduction Laws and Incentives
State Laws and Regulations
Idle Reduction Requirement
A commercial vehicle or gasoline powered vehicle is not permitted to idle for more than five minutes during any 60-minute period. Exemptions are allowed for the following: 1) a vehicle stopped in traffic or at the direction of a law enforcement official; 2) a vehicle needing auxiliary power for equipment or for climate control, including during driver rest periods; 3) a vehicle being inspected by a state or federal motor vehicle inspector; 4) an emergency vehicle being used in the course of official business; and 5) when the ambient outside air temperature is less than zero degrees Fahrenheit. When the outside ambient air temperature is between zero and 32 degrees Fahrenheit, vehicles may idle for up to 15 minutes during a 60-minute period. Any owner of a location that is used for loading and unloading of commercial vehicles may not require that vehicles idle for periods longer than 30 minutes while waiting to load or unload at the location. Violators are subject to fines. (Reference Maine Revised Statutes Title 38, Section 585-L)
Idle Reduction Weight Exemption
Any vehicle equipped with idle reduction technology may exceed the state's gross vehicle and axle weight limits by up to 400 pounds to compensate for the additional weight of the added idle reduction technology. (Reference Legislative Document 37, 2009, and Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A, Section 2360)
