Hawaii Truck Following Distance
No fixed feet. Hawaii's truck rule is a convoy rule: outside a business or residence district, when a truck (or a vehicle in tow) follows another, leave room for a passing car to merge (HRS 291C-50(b)). It never stops passing. Tailgating a car, or anywhere in town, is the general 'reasonable and prudent' standard (HRS 291C-50(a)) - a traffic infraction, up to $200 first offense, $300 second, $500 third (HRS 291C-161). Run the CDL seconds rule.
How much room Hawaii makes you keep
No fixed feet. Hawaii's truck rule is a convoy rule: outside a business or residence district, when a truck (or a vehicle in tow) follows another, leave room for a passing car to merge (HRS 291C-50(b)). It never stops passing. Tailgating a car, or anywhere in town, is the general 'reasonable and prudent' standard (HRS 291C-50(a)) - a traffic infraction, up to $200 first offense, $300 second, $500 third (HRS 291C-161). Run the CDL seconds rule.
The required distance
- Rule: Gap between trucks
- Gap: Sufficient space for a passing car to merge, outside a business or residence district and behind another motor truck (or vehicle in tow) - no fixed feet.
- Fine: Traffic infraction: up to $200 for a first violation, $300 for a second within a year, $500 for a third (HRS 291C-50; HRS 291C-161).
Hawaii Following Distance FAQ
How much following distance must a truck keep in Hawaii?
What is the required gap in Hawaii?
What is the following-too-closely fine in Hawaii?
Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/title-17/chapter-291c/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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