As temperatures plunge across the UK, thousands of motorists are being warned they could face an £80 fine for a common winter mistake, leaving their engines running to “warm up” their cars.
While it might seem harmless to start the car and let it idle while you scrape ice from the windscreen or finish your morning coffee, doing so could land you in hot water with the law. Under Regulation 98 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, it’s an offence to leave a vehicle’s engine running unnecessarily while parked on a public road.
That means even if you’re sitting inside your car or standing beside it while it idles, you could be fined if caught.
Local councils and police have the power to issue fixed penalties – and many already do, particularly in residential areas and near schools where idling contributes to air pollution.
Neil Hutchinson, founder of JLR Essex, says it’s one of the most frequent mistakes drivers make during winter. “Everyone’s guilty of it,” he said.
“You wake up, it’s freezing, and you start the car to warm it up while you finish your coffee. But if you’re parked on the road with the engine running, that’s technically breaking the law.
“It might seem harmless, but councils and police do issue fines for it, especially outside schools and busy streets.”
Many drivers believe idling helps protect the engine on frosty mornings, but experts say that’s simply not true.
“Engines actually warm up faster when you’re driving, not idling,” Hutchinson added.
“Leaving the car running just wastes fuel, adds wear to the engine, and risks a fine on top of it.”
Drivers are also being reminded of another growing problem known as ‘frost jacking’, when opportunistic thieves steal vehicles left unattended with the engine running.
Even a minute or two can be enough for criminals to strike, leaving owners stranded and insurance claims rejected.
Instead of idling, motorists are advised to use a windscreen scraper or de-icer spray, clear all windows fully before setting off, and drive gently for the first few minutes to allow the engine to warm up naturally.
“It’s a small change that can save you money, protect your car, and keep you on the right side of the law,” Hutchinson said.
“It’s just not worth risking an £80 fine – or worse – for a few minutes of warmth.”