Civil administrative penalty amounts for each violation, per vehicle or property owner
Citation
Class
First Offense
Second Offense
Third Offense
Fourth and Each Subsequent Offense
N.J.A.C. 7:27-14.3(a)
Passenger Vehicle Registration
$100
$200
$500
$1,500
School Bus Owner
$250
$500
$1,000
$1,000
School District, if the School District Does not Own the Bus
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,000
Commercial Vehicle Registration
$250
$500
$1,000
$1,000
Property Owner
$250
$500
$1,000
$1,000
Potential sites for DEP enforcement action include areas where complaints of idling trucks have been received, and areas where diesel engine trucks park such as warehouses, industrial parks, bus depots, transportation centers, along major highways and large parking lots. Property owners will also be issued a Field Notice of Violation if a truck operator is cited on their property.
Making You Aware of Incentives, Compliance Assistance, and Rule Changes DEP Revises Idling Regulations Who is affected by this initiative?
All diesel vehicles that are used in New Jersey are subject to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations at N.J.A.C. 7:27-14. These regulations prohibit diesel-powered vehicles from idling for more than three consecutive minutes if the vehicle is not in motion.
What has changed?
The following revisions to the Idling Regulations become effective on July 25, 2007: Exemptions to 3 minute idling limit REMOVED:
Diesel vehicles are no longer allowed to idle for up to 30 minutes at an operator’s place of business.
Diesel vehicles are no longer allowed to idle for 15 minutes when a vehicle has been stopped for three or more hours (however, an exemption remains allowing for 15 minutes idling when the ambient temperature is below 25 degrees Fahrenheit).
Overnight idling of diesel trucks with sleeper berths will not be allowed past May 1, 2010, as several alternatives to idling are now available in New Jersey.
Exemption to 3 minute idling limit ADDED/CLARIFIED:
Diesel buses may idle for 15 consecutive minutes in a 60-minute period while actively discharging or picking up passengers to allow for passenger comfort.
Why is DEP limiting idling?
As part of a statewide effort to reduce motor vehicle emissions in New Jersey and reach attainment with Air Quality standards, the DEP has revised these regulations to reflect improvements in engine technology. Modern diesel engines require no more than three minutes to “warm up”. The idling of vehicles produces a wide variety of air pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, greenhouse gases, formaldehyde and other toxic air pollutants. Some of these air pollutants are known carcinogens. Particulate matter can cause health problems ranging from difficulty in breathing to heart attacks. While the DEP has responded to citizen complaints about idling vehicles for many years now, it is especially important to reduce idling during the warmer months when poor air quality impacts vulnerable parts of the population, such as children, the elderly and people with respiratory or coronary disease. In addition to the environmental risks, idling wastes fuel and increases long-term engine maintenance costs. Idling is also an occupational hazard as it exposes drivers to dangerous levels of particulates and other toxins.
What should I do?
Ensure that vehicles do not idle for more than three consecutive minutes if the vehicle is not in motion.
Consider posting a sign on your property if trucks frequently idle at your location. No Idling signs are available from DEP by completing the order form available on www.StopTheSoot.org.
Adopt a no-idling policy for your fleet drivers and encourage them to do their part. It will save you money and protect their health.
Explore alternatives to idling, such as engine block heaters for cold weather starts or incabin heaters.
Whom should I contact with questions or complaints?
Hotline – for reporting suspected violations 1-877-WARN-DEP
DEP Diesel Risk Reduction Program -- for general questions 609-292-7953
Northern Field Office for complaints in: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties 973-656-4444
Central Field Office for complaints in: Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union counties 609-584-4100
Southern Field Office for complaints in: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties 856-614-3601
The following web sites can be accessed for additional information regarding this advisory:
Please note this advisory is intended to be a summary explanation of a department initiative. It does not include all potentially applicable requirements. If you have any questions related to compliance with this initiative, please contact the DEP numbers listed above.
Links from News Outlets: (better explanations than we can ever give...)
New Jersey Business and Industry (.pdf) New Idling Limitations from the NJ DEP What you need to know as a New Jersey Business Owner or Diesel Vehicle Operator
(excerpt) [DEP inspectors are targeting convenience stores, bus staging areas, public entertainment venues, retail centers, truck yards, rest stops, warehouse distribution centers and loading/unloading areas to ensure that diesel-powered vehicles are complying with all applicable regulations...]
(excerpt) [New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection made a 20-county idling sweep in August and found 101 trucks in violation of the state’s three-minute idling limit. “All 101 drivers will be fined $200 for the first violation,” says department spokeswoman Erin Phalon.]
Print out a handy Cab Card (.pdf) for the idling laws of each state.
Place your order with the State of NJ here.(link brings you to order page on NJ website)
Order your No-Idling Zone sign suitable for installing on buildings, parking lots or anywhere that idling is a problem. Signs are 12" wide by 18" high and also available in Spanish. Each sign is sold at a wholesale cost of $9.50 (no tax) plus $10.00 for shipping up to 10 signs and $20.00 for shipping 11 or more signs.
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