Drivers in the UK are being warned that trying to stay cool in their cars during the current heatwave could result in fines of up to £80. The warning comes as temperatures are forecast to reach 40C in parts of England and Wales, prompting a rare red weather warning from the Met Office.
Idling Fines Explained
Under emissions laws, motorists who sit in stationary vehicles with the engine running—for example, while using air conditioning—can be fined. The standard penalty is £40 if issued by a police officer, or £80 from a civil enforcement officer. Both fines are halved if paid promptly. However, some local authorities impose larger penalties; for instance, Islington Council in London issues £110 fines to drivers who refuse to switch off an idling engine after being asked.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Air conditioning is a gamechanger in modern vehicles, making otherwise uncomfortable journeys by road a genuinely pleasant experience. We even advise those driving vehicles without air-con to consider delaying any non-essential trips this week until the heatwave passes. But while we’re all desperate to stay cool, just sitting in the car with the engine and air-conditioning running and going nowhere isn’t advisable. Due to the air pollution this causes, you risk a fine from a police or civil enforcement officer.”
Government Plans Never Materialised
In 2019, the Conservative government announced plans to introduce higher fines for idling drivers, but these were never implemented. Then-transport secretary Lord Chris Grayling described combating idling as “an easy way to drive down dangerously high levels of pollution.”
Extreme Heat Warnings
The UK has been sweltering under high temperatures this week, with many areas under a rare red weather warning. Forecasters predict the mercury could climb to 40C on Wednesday and Thursday in parts of England and Wales as a “heat-dome” over western Europe brings extreme conditions. The Met Office issued a red warning from 9am Wednesday to 9pm Thursday covering an area from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham. Temperatures could approach the UK record of 40.3C, set in Lincolnshire in July 2022.
The North East is under an amber alert from Wednesday, June 24, to Thursday, June 25. The Met Office warned that a combination of extreme heat and humidity could impact public health, infrastructure, power and water supplies, and cause heat-related issues for transport, energy and water sectors.
Travel Disruption
Many train services were cancelled on Wednesday, with passengers urged to avoid non-essential travel in areas under the red warning. Network Rail warned of “significant disruption” across England and Wales as speed restrictions are imposed to reduce risks from buckled rails and sagging overhead wires.
