As we face the frigid temperatures brought by polar vortexes in the US, the last thing anyone wants is to enter a freezing cold car. However, it is important to note that in many states, warming up your vehicle by letting it idle is actually illegal.

Regardless of the duration, idling is considered an automatic misdemeanor in most states. Surprisingly, even using the automatic start feature on your car can be against the law in some states. The penalties for idling vary depending on the jurisdiction. For example, in Washington D.C., you could face a $5,000 fine if your car idles for just three (3) minutes. However, some states are more lenient, like Pennsylvania, where idling is allowed for up to twenty (20) minutes when the temperature is below 40ºF (4ºC).

To determine the specific laws in your state, you can visit the EPA’s website. However, as a general rule, the following states do not permit idling: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

These laws are not meant to inconvenience drivers. They are primarily designed to protect the environment and people from toxic pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) as epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between NO₂ exposure and premature death, cardiopulmonary effects, decreased lung function growth in children, respiratory symptoms, emergency room visits for asthma, and many more.