Examples of these exemptions include, but are not limited to, when a vehicle is operating:

• while stuck in traffic
• defrosting, heating and cooling equipment to ensure the safety and/or health of the driver and passengers
• auxiliary equipment such as refrigeration units, pumps or lifts
• while undergoing maintenance
• in order to reach the manufacturer's recommended operating temperature
• while the ambient temperature is less than 20 Degrees Fahrenheit

Additionally, Public Act No. 02-56 (An Act Concerning the Idling of School Buses) gives infraction (ticketing) authority to police who witness school buses idling for longer than 3 minutes. Ticketing authority is currently limited to police that observe school buses idling for longer than 3 minutes.

DEEP's goal is to achieve idling reduction through voluntary compliance. However, violations are subject to DEEP's Enforcement Response Policy and may result in administrative enforcement actions, such as Notices of Violation and Consent Orders. DEEP's Air Management field staff (DEEP field staff) does not have ticketing authority.

DEEP field staff work to ensure compliance with Connecticut's idling restriction by monitoring vehicle behavior at rest areas, schools, truck stops and at commercial delivery points, and pursuing enforcement actions when idling violations are observed.

DEEP Field staff investigate and respond to complaints of excessive idling regarding commercial vehicles and buses only; these complaints may be directed to DEEP's Air Quality Complaint Line or to your local or municipal authority.

Complaints regarding privately owned passenger vehicles should be directed to your local authority or municipality.

Please call DEEP's Air Quality Complaint Line to report idling: (860) 424-3436

DEEP continues to target excessive idling of motor vehicles with an ongoing enforcement initiative. An increased field inspection presence in locations where excessive idling is likely to occur has resulted in the issuance of numerous Notices of Violation.

In August 2008, a Consent Order was issued to a busing transportation company operating in Windsor Locks, which had repeated documented occurrences of excessive idling. The Order required the company to develop and implement an Anti-Idling Education and Training program for its staff and included a financial penalty.

Connecticut anti-idling regulations are federally enforceable and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated several enforcement actions against companies that violate state idling laws.

EPA also established the Smartways Transportation Partnership. The Partnership is a voluntary collaboration that EPA and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.

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Content Last Updated: January 23, 2020