Is It Legal To Warm Your Car Up In The Driveway In Texas?

Who hasn't started their car and waited for it to warm up or de-ice while going back inside?

It seems perfectly logical that many people go start their cars and trucks and wait for their heaters to warm up, or for ice and snow to melt off. I mean, are you supposed to freeze while you wait in the car for it to warm up?

Well, I hate to tell you this, but you are a lawbreaker. That's right, It is illegal to leave your car unattended with the key in the ignition (hold on, things are going to get weird in a minute). Technically you could get a ticket for walking away while you wait.  This is expressly prohibited in the Texas Transportation Code.

Now, remember when I said, "things are about to get weird"? Well, if you have a remote starter, then it's perfectly fine to start your vehicle and let it warm up (this is also expressly stated in the Texas Transportation Code).

Now, none of this is about wanting to see you freeze, or drive with ice on your windshield. All of this is actually about anti-theft measures.  Unfortunately, your comfort gets sacrificed so that can thieves can't take advantage of your wait.

This might be the perfect excuse to get a remote starter for your vehicle. Think about it, you don't even have to run outside and then run back inside, all the time knowing that you are a horrible scofflaw! You just hit the button and wait.