Ohio drivers may start their cars in the winter and leave them alone while they warm up, but in some cases, it’s against the law.

Ohio drivers may start their cars in the winter and then leave them alone while they warm up, but in some cases, this is against the law. Generally speaking, leaving a car unattended with the engine running is prohibited per Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.661. There are a few notable outliers, though. Cars parked on home property, like in a driveway, are exempt from the law. Additionally, it excludes emergency and public safety vehicles as well as locked vehicles, regardless of where they are parked.