NSW Environmental Protection Agency NSW Government
 

Vehicle idling

Find out how you can reduce vehicle idling to help save you money, reduce neighbourhood noise, improve air quality and your health.

Idling is when your vehicle’s engine is switched on while you are parked or not moving.

Some idling, for example when you are stopped at a red light or in traffic, is unavoidable. However, some drivers idle unnecessarily while parked at a business, home, or school or at railway drop off and pick up zones.

Drivers idling may be fined in some circumstances. In accordance with the Road Rules 2014 (NSW), you may be fined if you:

  • move more than 3 metres away from your vehicle while the engine is switched on (see rule 213)
  • start or drive your vehicle and create unnecessary noise or smoke (see rule 291)
  • don’t stop your vehicle’s engine when stationary to prevent noise (unless stopped in traffic) (see rule 291-1).

You may also be fined if your vehicle creates excessive smoke (see clause 21 of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2022), or excessive or offensive noise (see part 2 of the Protection of the Environment Operation (Noise Control) Regulation 2017).

What you can do instead of idling

You can:

  • turn off your engine when parked, especially when outside a school or near vulnerable people
  • park in the shade, open your car windows, or use a windscreen sunshield to cool your vehicle on a hot day instead of idling to use the air conditioner
  • avoid idling to warm up your engine – modern vehicles no longer require this
  • turn on ‘stop-start’ technology if your vehicle has it
  • avoid unnecessary driving during peak hour where you’re more likely to get stuck in traffic
  • park while picking up takeaway instead of using the drive-through.

We know that taking these actions might not be easy for everyone. However, any action you take that reduces idling will save you money, improve the quality of our air and the health of our communities, especially for young children and other vulnerable people.

Reducing vehicle idling can save you money

Reducing idling could save you money on fuel, maintenance costs and increase the lifespan of your vehicle.

Vehicles use fuel while they idle, the amount depends on the vehicle size, engine type, vehicle weight and age. Research shows that idling for more than 10 seconds burns more fuel than starting or turning off the engine.

Idling can also increase wear and tear on vehicles, increasing the frequency of oil changes and spark plug replacements and may reduce the life of your vehicle’s battery and engine.

Reducing vehicle idling improves local air quality

Air pollutants from vehicles exhaust include particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Air pollution can cause smog and impact your health.

In 2022, road vehicles were the second largest source of greenhouse gases in NSW, contributing to climate change.

A 2021 study by Transport Energy/Emission Research estimates that Australians spend up to 21% of their total driving time idling. Modelling indicates that carbon dioxide emissions due to idling may equal an additional 1.5 million vehicles on the road across Australia each year.

Vehicle idling can impact your health

Research has found that exposure to air pollution from vehicles can have significant impacts to your health, especially for young children and vulnerable people.

Short-term exposure to air pollution can lead to:

  • increased coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing
  • increased irritation to the eyes and throat
  • worsened asthma and other pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to:

  • increased risk of children developing asthma
  • increased risk of people developing heart disease and lung cancer
  • increased risk of miscarriage, early birth, and low birth weight
  • impaired development and function of the brain
  • shortened lifespan.

Research has found that exposure to very fine particles (PM) at any concentration increases the risk of you experiencing negative health effects.

It is particularly important to turn your vehicle off in areas where lots of drivers may idle, such as outside schools. Otherwise this could create an air pollution hotspot that increases the risk of health effects occurring. Young children and vulnerable people are most at risk.

See NSW Health and the Sydney Air Quality Study for more information on the health effects of air pollutants in NSW.

Other initiatives to reduce emissions from vehicles

The EPA and NSW Government have developed a range of initiatives that aim to reduce emissions from vehicles. See Reducing motor vehicle emissions and Transport for NSW for more information.