Warming up your car in Massachusetts for too long could cost you

During the cold winter months, many Massachusetts drivers turn on their cars to let them warm up. Sometimes with a remote starter. If you are one of those drivers and let your vehicle idle for too long, however, it could cost you.

Drivers should be aware of a Massachusetts law that limits the amount of time a car engine can legally be idling. (Mass. General Laws, chapter 90 sec. 16A)

According to Stephanie Bold, Law Library Asst. at Massachusetts Trial Court, the law states that a car cannot be idling more than 5 minutes unless it is being serviced or it is being used to deliver or accept goods where engine assisted power is necessary.

If someone is caught, they can be levied with a $100 fine for the first offense and up to $500 for subsequent offenses.

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There are even more limitations when school grounds are concerned.

Section 16B of Chapter 90 of the Mass. General Laws prohibits extended idling on school grounds with the same penalties. The Registry of Motor Vehicles has issued regulations (540 CMR 27) that provide more information on limitations to idling on school grounds. These regulations provide that “No motor vehicle operator shall cause or allow the engine of any motor vehicle operated by him or her on school grounds to idle unnecessarily.”

Idling that is permissible is outlined in the same regulation, which includes very detailed provisions for idling in specific circumstances, such as: “If the exterior temperature is less than 35° F, then idling is allowed to heat the interior of any motor vehicle other than a school bus for a period or periods aggregating not more than one minute in any 15-minute period during which the motor vehicle is waiting to accept or discharge passengers.

So, feel free to make the inside of your vehicle warm and toasty while waiting inside during these cold winter months, but do so at your own risk.