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IdlingSwitzerland

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Switzerland

117. Idling

Idling means allowing a vehicle's engine to continue running while the vehicle is stationary and the engine is not being used to move the vehicle. This may occur while waiting, parking, loading or unloading or before beginning a journey.

Unnecessary idling consumes fuel and produces exhaust emissions, air pollution and noise. Many countries or local authorities restrict prolonged or unnecessary idling, although exceptions may apply when the engine is required for safety, technical equipment or another necessary purpose.

A stationary vehicle with its engine running is idling. (Volkswagen Golf)
Wikimedia.org • Spacekid • CC0
What is idling?

Idling means keeping a vehicle's engine running while the vehicle remains stationary and the engine is not being used to propel it.

Why should unnecessary idling be avoided?

Unnecessary idling uses fuel, produces exhaust emissions and creates noise without moving the vehicle.

Is idling illegal everywhere?

No. Rules differ between countries and local authorities. Some prohibit unnecessary idling generally, while others restrict it only in particular locations or circumstances.

Does an idling engine still produce exhaust emissions?

Yes. A combustion engine continues to produce exhaust gases while running even though the vehicle is not moving.

Does idling use fuel?

Yes. A combustion engine consumes fuel while it remains running, even when the vehicle is stationary.

Should you leave the engine running while waiting for someone?

Where it is safe and legal to switch the engine off, unnecessary prolonged idling should generally be avoided. Local rules may specifically require the engine to be switched off.

Is waiting at a red traffic light the same as parking with the engine idling?

No. A vehicle temporarily prevented from moving by traffic conditions is different from a vehicle voluntarily parked or waiting. The rules concerning engine shutdown may therefore differ.

Can an engine remain running when vehicle equipment needs power?

Some laws provide exceptions when the engine is genuinely required to operate refrigeration, hydraulic equipment, emergency equipment or another essential system. The precise exceptions depend on local law.

Should you rev the engine while stationary?

Unnecessary engine revving should be avoided because it increases noise, fuel consumption and emissions. It may also be specifically prohibited by local traffic or noise regulations.

Do electric vehicles idle?

Not in the conventional combustion-engine sense. An electric vehicle can remain stationary while switched on without an internal-combustion engine running, although electrical systems such as heating or air conditioning may still consume energy.

1 Switzerland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Tunnel 12 Pedestrian zone 13 Customs 14 One-way traffic 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Road narrowing 24 Priority over oncoming traffic 25 Give way to oncoming traffic 26 Pedestrian crossing 27 Railway crossing 28 Mandatory direction 29 Turn prohibition 30 School area 31 Overtaking 32 Crossing animals 33 Slippery road 34 Rockfall 35 Aircraft 36 Curve 37 Chevron 38 Wrong-way driving 39 Roadworks 40 Crosswind 41 Height limit 42 Width limit 43 Length limit 44 Weight limit 45 Intersection direction sign 46 Priority at the next junction 47 Traffic lights 48 Traffic lights warning 49 Pedestrian lights 50 Road markings 51 Junction layout 52 Driving licence 53 Location marker 54 Road number 55 Countdown markers 56 Traffic mirror 57 Emergency telephone 58 International border 59 Pedestrian underpass 60 Cycling route 61 End of restriction 62 Parking 63 No parking 64 No stopping 65 Parking disc 66 Reversing 67 U-turn 68 Traffic jam 69 Detour 70 Uncontrolled crossroad 71 Road surface 72 Exit 73 Information point 74 Horse riding 75 Emergency exit 76 Runaway truck ramp 77 Radio service 78 Oversize load 79 City limit 80 Hospital 81 Parking garage 82 Passing place 83 Pedestrian overpass 84 Axle weight limit 85 Licence plate 86 Charging station 87 Dangers 88 Weather 89 Turn on red 90 Pedestrian 91 Cyclist 92 Moped 93 Motorcycle 94 Car 95 Truck 96 Bus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Tailgating 100 European emission standard ... 101 Pothole 102 Public square 103 Path 104 Particulates 105 Air pollution 106 Rush hour 107 Road code 108 Two-way traffic 109 Street gutter 110 Cargo bike 111 Forestry vehicle 112 Construction vehicle 113 Semi-trailer truck 114 Trolleybus 115 Speed pedelec 116 Delivery vehicle 117 Idling 118 Tow truck 119 Four-wheel drive 120 No vehicles 121 Bicycle 122 Motorcycle equipment 123 Tram 124 Rail track 125 Caravan 126 Trailer 127 Tow hitch 128 Fire truck 129 Siren 130 Convoy 131 Emergency vehicle lighting 132 Agricultural machinery 133 Electric bicycle 134 Electric vehicle 135 Pedelec 136 Quadricycle 137 Microcar 138 All-terrain vehicle 139 Van 140 Recreational vehicle 141 Scooter 142 Trikke 143 Personal mobility device 144 Skateboard 145 Segway 146 Kick scooter 147 Roller skates 148 Mailman 149 Hitchhiker 150 Toddler 151 Child 152 Disability 153 Skier 154 Motorail 155 Parking violation 156 km/h 157 mph 158 Speedometer 159 National speed 160 Ride height 161 Dirt road 162 Driving 163 Start-stop system 164 Manual transmission 165 Automatic transmission 166 Throttle 167 Tachometer 168 Steering wheel 169 Power steering 170 Visual scanning 171 Mirror 172 Fuel 173 Fuel gauge 174 Petrol 175 Diesel 176 Diesel exhaust fluid 177 Car insurance 178 First aid kit 179 Fire extinguisher 180 High-visibility clothing 181 First aid 182 Concrete step barrier 183 Barriers 184 Vehicle lights 185 Street lights 186 Dipped beam 187 High beam 188 Fog lights 189 Front fog lights 190 Rear fog lights 191 Side lights 192 Turn signals 193 Hazard lights 194 Dashboard lights 195 Bicycle lighting 196 Bicycle bell 197 Headlight flashing 198 Seat belt 199 Child restraints 200 Head restraints 201 Airbag 202 ABS 203 Esp 204 Traction control system 205 Helmet 206 Bicycle helmet 207 Hands-free 208 Smartphone 209 GPS 210 Brake 211 Handbrake 212 Brake fluid 213 Tyres 214 Tyre code 215 Winter tyres 216 Tyre pressure 217 Snow chains 218 Bicycle tyre 219 Continuous track 220 Gross Vehicle Weight 221 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 222 Cargo 223 Car body 224 Trunk 225 Roof rack 226 Windscreen 227 Emergency hammer 228 Car battery 229 Traction battery 230 Suspension 231 Shock absorber 232 Spring 233 Exhaust 234 Exhaust gas 235 Soot 236 Catalytic converter 237 Engine 238 Petrol engine 239 Diesel engine 240 Electric motor 241 Timing belt 242 Glow plug 243 Cylinder 244 Engine oil 245 Coolant 246 Maintenance 247 Spare tyre 248 Flat tyre 249 Jack 250 Vehicle inspection 251 Key 252 Dashboard 253 Windscreen wiper 254 Doors 255 Glovebox 256 Visibility 257 Rain 258 Fog 259 Hail 260 Sunlight 261 Sunglasses 262 Salt 263 Air conditioning 264 Hydroplaning 265 Loose chippings 266 Distraction 267 Emotions 268 Road rage 269 Health 270 Epilepsy 271 Night blindness 272 Visual impairment 273 Fatigue 274 Defects 275 Traffic violation 276 Alcohol 277 Alcohol control 278 Ignition interlock device 279 Breath test 280 Breath analysis 281 Blood alcohol content 282 Blood test 283 Saliva test 284 Drugs 285 Medication 286 Penalties 287 Speeding 288 Smoking 289 Traffic enforcement camera 290 Double curve 291 Accident 292 Injuries 293 Nosebleed 294 Damage 295 Breakdown 296 Warning triangle 297 Traffic rules 298 Driving school 299 Traffic signs