NJ Contractors: A Reminder Before You Leave That Truck Running

A message from Eric DeGesero, NJIEC Government Affairs

While New Jersey’s anti-idling regulations may seem like more of a wintertime concern, a recent incident serves as a good reminder for electrical contractors and other businesses operating commercial vehicles throughout the state.

New Jersey prohibits gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles from idling for longer than three minutes, with certain exceptions.

Recently, one of my clients stopped at a convenience store and left the company vehicle running. When the driver returned, an NJDEP inspector handed him a card reminding him of New Jersey’s anti-idling regulations.

The vehicle had been idling for 14 minutes.

For contractors with trucks and service vehicles on the road every day, it is a simple rule worth reminding your entire team about.

New Jersey’s Three-Minute Idling Limit

New Jersey has anti-idling regulations covering both gasoline and diesel-powered motor vehicles.

For gasoline-powered vehicles, N.J.A.C. 7:27-15.8(a) prohibits idling for longer than three minutes.

There are exceptions, including when a vehicle is stuck in traffic or when the engine is required for a definitively prescribed mechanical operation other than propulsion, such as powering a lift gate.

For diesel-powered vehicles, N.J.A.C. 7:27-14.3(a) also prohibits idling for longer than three minutes.

Exceptions include being stuck in traffic and situations where the engine is needed for a prescribed mechanical operation other than propulsion, such as operating a power take off (PTO).

A diesel vehicle that has been stopped for three hours or more may also idle for up to 15 minutes when the ambient temperature is below 25°F.

New Jersey Idling Fines

One important point for business owners: the penalty is assessed against the entity to which the vehicle is registered, not the driver.

Penalties under N.J.A.C. 7:27A-3.10 are:

Violation	Passenger Vehicle	Commercial Vehicle	Property Owner
1st Offense	$100	$250	$250
2nd Offense	$200	$500	$500
3rd Offense	$500	$1,000	$1,000
4th & Subsequent Offenses	$1,500	$1,000	$1,000

The penalty can also be assessed against the property owner where the vehicle is idling.

Additionally, municipalities and counties may have their own anti-idling ordinances on top of the state prohibition.

Why Contractors Should Remind Their Drivers

The regulations are enforceable against all vehicles in New Jersey. However, commercial vehicles idling in places such as convenience store and deli parking lots may attract more enforcement attention than private passenger vehicles.

For electrical contractors operating fleets of vans, pickups and other commercial vehicles, a quick reminder to employees could prevent an unnecessary fine.

Businesses may also want to consult with their counsel about establishing a written company policy prohibiting unnecessary idling and addressing responsibility for violations.

The larger takeaway is simple:

If the truck doesn’t need to be running, shut it off.

Three minutes can go by quickly when someone runs inside for coffee, lunch or supplies, and the fine is ultimately coming back to the company whose name is on the registration.

Additional Diesel Vehicle Exceptions

Certain diesel-powered vehicles are also exempt from the regulation.

A diesel-powered vehicle equipped with a sleeper berth may qualify for an exception when:

It has a model year 2007 or newer engine or has been retrofitted with a properly connected and functioning diesel particulate filter.

The operator is using the vehicle for sleeping or resting.

The vehicle is in an area not zoned as residential.

The vehicle is not equipped with a functional auxiliary power unit.

Technology designed to reduce engine idling, including auxiliary power units, generator sets and bunk heaters, may also operate provided the vehicle’s main engine is not running.

A Simple Reminder for Your Crew

For NJIEC contractors, this is an easy message to share at your next safety meeting or toolbox talk:

New Jersey’s idling limit is three minutes.

Make sure employees operating company vehicles understand the rule, know that there are limited exceptions, and recognize that an idling violation can result in a fine assessed against the company rather than the individual driver.

Sometimes the easiest compliance issue to prevent is the one that starts with turning a key.