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.