Is it legal to leave your car running unattended on California streets or in a driveway?
California has several rules of the road for drivers to follow when on public roadways and along public streets — but what if the vehicle is running while parked?
What does California law say about leaving your car engine on when you’re not driving?
California Vehicle Code 22515 states, “No person driving, or in control of, or in charge of, a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand on any highway unattended without first effectively setting the brakes thereon and stopping the motor thereof.”
Here’s what law enforcement said on how this law applies to other public roadways and your own driveway:
Can you leave your car running while parked on California streets?
Officer Cody Tapley, a spokesperson for Sacramento Police Department, said vehicle code 22515 applies to all highways, as defined by California Vehicle Code 360.
Vehicle code 360 states that a “highway” is a publicly maintained place open to public use for vehicles.
“Highway includes street,” the code states.
In Sacramento, Tapley said City Code 10.36.090 states any registered vehicle owner or driver can be guilty of a misdemeanor for leaving the ignition key in while the vehicle is unattended in any public place, car lot, or private parking lot.
Can you leave your car running in your California driveway?
Tapley said these two laws are intended for highways, streets, roadways and off-street parking facilities.
“Based on our interpretation, these two codes would not apply to residential driveways,” Tapley wrote in an email to The Bee. “These codes are intended to prevent vehicle theft from occurring.”
Last year, California led the country in total vehicle thefts.
What are the penalties?
Violators of this law can be guilty of an infraction, which can result in a maximum fine of $250 dollars, according to California’s 2023 Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules.
If your municipality states that a violation of this law can result in a misdemeanor, violators can face imprisonment in county jail for about six months, by a fine of $1,000 or both.
This story was originally published November 7, 2023 at 10:46 AM with the headline "Is it legal to leave your car running unattended on California streets or in a driveway?."
