Idle Reduction Requirement

Motor vehicles may not idle unnecessarily for longer than five consecutive minutes during any 60-minute period. This includes heavy-duty diesel vehicles used to perform any state public works contracts. Unnecessary idling does not include circumstances exempted by regulations the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has adopted, such as when it is necessary to operate heating and cooling equipment to ensure the health or safety of drivers and passengers. Other vehicles exempt from these requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Emergency response, public safety, or military vehicles
• Armored vehicles being loaded or unloaded
• Non-road vehicles
• Vehicles making deliveries of fuel or energy products.

Violators of these regulations will be fined up to $100 for the first offense and up to $500 for each succeeding offense.

(Reference Rhode Island General Laws 23-23-29.2, 31-16.1 and 31-41.1-4)