Idling Reduction and Driver Behavior Playbook

Idling is a cost problem and a reliability problem.

This playbook installs a simple behavior system:

• define what is acceptable
• measure consistently
• coach early
• escalate repeat issues

What you will produce

1. Idling policy and thresholds
2. Driver coaching script and cadence
3. Scorecard template for behavior metrics
4. Escalation ladder for repeat issues

Step-by-step implementation

Step 1: Define a simple idling rule

Example: no idling beyond five minutes unless temperature or safety requires it.

Step 2: Pick the two metrics you will enforce

Keep it small:

• idling minutes per engine hour
• harsh events per 1,000 miles

Step 3: Install a weekly coaching cadence

Coaching should be fast and consistent.

Step 4: Escalate repeat issues

Escalation should be predictable, not emotional.

Templates

A) Idling policy (copy and paste)

Copyable template (TEXT)
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Idling Policy

Owner:
Effective date:

Rule:
- Do not idle more than ____ minutes when stopped.
Exceptions:
- Safety requirements
- Extreme temperature conditions
- Required PTO operations

Measurement:
- Telematics or vehicle logs are the source of truth.

Coaching:
- First issue: coaching conversation
- Second issue: written reminder
- Third issue: escalation to manager

Goal:
- Reduce average idling by ____ percent over ____ weeks.

B) Driver coaching script (copy and paste)

Copyable template (TEXT)
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Driver Coaching Script (10 minutes)

1) Share the metric:
- Your idling minutes per engine hour last week: __
- Team target: __

2) Ask for context:
- What situations caused the idling?

3) Agree on a change:
- One specific behavior to change this week

4) Confirm support:
- Any equipment or route issues we need to fix?

5) Set follow-up:
- We will review again next week.

C) Weekly driver scorecard (copy and paste)

Copyable template (TEXT)
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Weekly Driver Scorecard

| Driver | Miles | Idling minutes | Engine hours | Idling per engine hour | Harsh events | Notes | Action |
| ------ | ----: | -------------: | -----------: | ---------------------: | -----------: | ----- | ------ |

D) Escalation ladder (copy and paste)

Copyable template (TEXT)
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Behavior Escalation Ladder

- Coaching conversation
- Written reminder
- Manager escalation and ride-along
- Policy action (card restriction, schedule change, etc.)

Common failure modes

• metrics are tracked but not acted on
• coaching is inconsistent, so no one takes it seriously
• exceptions are abused because rules are unclear