Idling

South Carolina’s idling limits apply to a commercial diesel vehicle licensed for use on a public roadway to transport property or passengers with a gross vehicle weight rating, gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight, or gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more.

Exceptions: There is an exception for an occupied vehicle with a sleeper berth for the purpose of heating or air conditioning:

• During a rest or sleep period;
• When the outside temperature is < 40°F or > 80°F; or
• While the vehicle is at a rest area, fleet trucking terminal, commercial truck stop, state designated location designed for the intended purpose of a driver’s rest area, or any location that a vehicle is legally permitted to park that is at least 500 ft. from residential housing, schools, daycare facilities, hospitals, or similar locations.

There are also exceptions for:

• Traffic conditions;
• Operation of defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, cargo refrigeration equipment, or to install equipment to prevent a health or safety emergency;
• Emergency and law enforcement vehicles;
• Maintenance, servicing, or diagnostic purposes;
• Federal and state inspections;
• Powering work-related mechanical or electrical operations;
• An armored vehicle when a person remains on vehicle to guard the vehicle’s contents or while loading and unloading; or
• An occupied vehicle while waiting in line or queuing to load or unload.