§17C-13A-3. Exceptions.

(a) The idling restrictions set forth in section two of this article do not apply to motor homes, commercial implements of husbandry, implements of husbandry or farm tractors.

(b) The idling restrictions set forth in section two of this article do not apply to construction equipment that cannot be licensed for on-road driving or construction equipment that is not designed primarily for on-road driving, notwithstanding that such equipment may be operated or driven on road from time to time and in the course of performing its primary functions: Provided, That idling is necessary to power work-related mechanical, safety or electrical operations related to construction operations other than propulsion.

(c) A diesel-powered motor vehicle with a gross weight of ten thousand one pounds or more may idle beyond the time allowed in subsection (a) for one or more of the following reasons:

(1) When a vehicle idles while forced to remain motionless because of on-highway traffic, an official traffic control device or signal or at the direction of a law-enforcement official.

(2) When a vehicle must idle to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners or cargo refrigeration equipment, or to install equipment, in order to prevent a safety or health emergency, and not for the purpose of a rest period, or as otherwise necessary to comply with manufacturers' operating requirements, specifications and warranties in accordance with federal or state motor carrier safety regulations or local requirements.

(3) When a police, fire, ambulance, public safety, military, utility service vehicle or other emergency or law-enforcement vehicle or any vehicle being used in an emergency or public safety capacity shall idle while in an emergency or training mode and not for the convenience of the driver.

(4) When the primary propulsion engine idles for maintenance, particulate matter trap regeneration, servicing or repair of the vehicle, or for vehicle diagnostic purposes, if idling is required for that activity.

(5) When a vehicle idles as part of a federal or state inspection to verify that all equipment is in good working order, if idling is required as part of the inspection.

(6) When idling of a primary propulsion engine is necessary to power work-related mechanical, safety or electrical operations other than propulsion. This exemption does not apply when idling is done for cabin comfort or to operate nonessential onboard equipment.

(7) When idling of a primary propulsion engine is necessary as part of a security inspection either entering or exiting a facility.

(8) When an armored vehicle must idle when a person remains inside the vehicle to guard contents or while the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded.

(9) When a vehicle must idle due to mechanical difficulties over which the driver has no control, if the vehicle owner submits the repair paperwork or product repair verifying that the mechanical problem has been fixed, by mail to the commission within thirty days of the repair.

(10) When a bus or school bus must idle to provide heating or air conditioning when nondriver passengers are onboard. For the purposes of this exemption, the bus or school bus may idle for no more than a total of fifteen minutes in a continuous sixty-minute period, except when idling is necessary to maintain a safe temperature for bus passengers.

(11) An occupied vehicle with a sleeper-berth compartment that idles for purposes of air conditioning or heating during a rest or sleep period and the outside temperature at the location of the vehicle is less than forty degrees or greater than seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit at any time during the rest or sleep period. This applies to a motor vehicle subject to this article parked in any place that the vehicle is legally permitted to park, including, but not limited to, a fleet trucking terminal, commercial truck stop or designed rest area. This exemption does not apply if the vehicle is parked at a location equipped with stationary idle reduction technology that is available for use at the start of the rest period.

(12) When idling is necessary for sampling, weighing, active loading or active unloading or for an attended motor vehicle waiting for sampling, weighing, loading or unloading. For the purposes of this exemption, the vehicle may idle for up to a total of fifteen minutes in any continuous sixty-minute period.

(13) When idling by a school bus off school grounds during queuing for the sequential discharge or pickup of students is necessary because the physical configuration of a school or the school's surrounding streets does not allow for stopping.

(14) When idling is necessary for maintaining safe operating conditions while waiting for a police escort when transporting a load that requires the issuance of a permit in accordance with section eleven, article seventeen of this chapter.

(15) When actively engaged in solid waste collection or the collection of source-separated recyclable materials. This exemption does not apply when a vehicle is not actively engaged in solid waste collection or the collection of source-separated recyclable materials.

(16) When a diesel-powered motor vehicle exhibits a label issued by the California Air Resources Board under 13 CCR §1956.8(a)(6)(C) (relating to exhaust emissions standards and test procedures - 1985 and subsequent model heavy-duty engines and vehicles) showing that the vehicle's engine meets the optional NOx idling emission standard.

(17) When a diesel-powered motor vehicle is powered by clean diesel technology or bio-diesel fuels.