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Motor vehicle idling

Last updated January 12, 2021
Related to
  • Travel and Transportation
  • Air

Idling the engine of a motor vehicle that is not moving is prohibited in Montréal. Learn everything you need to know about motor vehicle idling.

To ensure continued air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, idling a motor vehicle is prohibited in all 19 boroughs.

Definition of “motor vehicle”

Motor vehicles include cars,  commercial vehicles, heavy vehicles, passenger vehicles, road vehicles, and tool vehicles.

Snowmobiles, motorized all-terrain vehicles and motorized vehicles designated to travel off a public road are also considered motor vehicles.

Maximum duration of a vehicle stop with the engine running

  • Gasoline engine: 3 minutes per period of 60 minutes
  • Heavy vehicle diesel engine: 5 minutes per period of 60 minutes
  • Heavy vehicle diesel engine when the outdoor temperature is below 0°C: 10 minutes per period of 60 minutes

Exceptions

Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension

Heavy vehicle diesel engine: 3 minutes per period of 60 minutes

L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève, Montréal-Nord and Pierrefonds-Roxboro

Heavy vehicle gasoline engine and heavy vehicle diesel engine: 5 minutes per period of 60 minutes;

Exceptions related to weather conditions

Exceptions apply under winter conditions:

  • All vehicles: when the outdoor temperature is below -10°C and the engine is used to heat the inside of the vehicle with a person on board.
  • All vehicles affected by frost or glazed frost: for the time it takes to make the vehicle safe to drive.
  • Taxis: when a person is inside the vehicle.

Vehicles exempt from the regulation

  • Emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire trucks, etc.)
  • Taxis
  • Vehicles with an engine used for work purposes, such as refrigerating meals or keeping meals hot
  • Vehicles immobilized by a traffic jam or heavy traffic, or vehicles stopped at a traffic light
  • Armoured motor vehicles
  • Electric or hybrid vehicles
  • Heavy vehicles, when the engine is checked prior to departure.

By-law compliance 

The Montréal police department (SPVM) is responsible for enforcing applicable by-laws.

Learn more about the topic

Tips and articles

  • Monitoring air quality in Montréal

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