Is it Legal to Idle Your Vehicle in Arkansas on a Cold Morning?

It's tough waking up and getting into a cold vehicle in the morning. So you do what your mother always did. She would run outside and start the car. Then she'd turn on the heater to get the car all toasty warm, while she ran back to the house and finish getting the kids ready for school.

But is it legal to leave your car and let it idle, even if it's only for a few minutes to warm up the inside? What about in the summer? Vehicles can get super hot inside and there is just no way you can actually sit in there waiting for the air conditioner to start cooling everything down.

If you do either of these little hacks to make your ride more comfortable then you would be doing something ... Illegal!

That's right in the state of Arkansas it is illegal to leave your car running. Actually, the law even says that it is against the law to leave the keys in the ignition for any amount of time even if it's just to run real quick back into the house because you forgot to turn a light off.

According to codes.findlaw.com here is what the Arkansas Code § 27-51-1306 says;

No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, and removing the key, or, when standing upon any perceptible grade, without effectively setting the brake and turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway.

 

If you live in Texas it's illegal for you too.

Why Is Idling Your Car Illegal in Arkansas and Texas?

Why is it legal? Two reasons, the pollution it causes and those sneaky car thieves. Yes, cars can and do get stolen from this little maneuver of idling your car unattended. So, stop doing this asap!

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