Idling

Engine idling is when a driver leaves their engine running when at a stop longer than 10 seconds.

It means that the car is releasing polluting fumes into the air from the exhaust pipe. These fumes contribute to poor air quality, producing unnecessary nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and particulate emissions which impact people’s health and the environment. It also wastes money and fuel. 

Idling happens most frequently outside schools, in car parks, in drive-through restaurants, at level crossings and when picking up from train stations, airports, clubs and events. It can cost up to 3p a minute so, in the long-term, it can be an expensive habit. 

In the UK, penalty notices of £20 can be issued to drivers of vehicles which are idling for long periods. The legislation covers all vehicles on public roads including private cars, taxis and buses.

Look out for our anti-idling advertising campaign which focuses on the dangers of poor air quality for children. They have smaller lungs so  take more breaths and their growing lungs are more likely to experience long term damage.  

Sitting in a car with the engine running is bad for those sitting in the car as well as for people outside. In fact, the air quality inside an idling car can be twice as bad as the air outside of the car. It can be even worse in winter as the heater can pull fumes into the vehicle and colder, drier air traps more pollution.  

Air pollution is linked to over 40,000 premature and avoidable deaths a year in the UK, and engine idling is contributing to this. Children, older people and those with health conditions are very susceptible to the impacts of air pollution.

  • It’s not true that by idling, you save money and fuel
  • It’s not true that you will ruin your car battery by switching the engine on and off. Modern car batteries are designed to be switched on and off regularly. 

  • If you are at a stop, turn your engine off.
  • In particular, avoid idling outside schools, homes and hospitals.
  • Turn on the ‘stop-start‘ function if your car has this.
  • Avoid warming up your engine or car by idling. The best way to warm up your car is to drive it. 
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