Indiana Truck Following Distance
300 feet. Behind another truck or tractor-trailer, keep 300 feet back whenever you're outside a business or residence district, and anywhere on the interstate highway system (IC 9-21-8-15). It drops when you're passing or running in a platoon. Following a car, or in town, the rule is the general reasonable-and-prudent standard (IC 9-21-8-14): a Class C infraction up to $500. Troopers write the general statute for tailgating far more than the 300-foot line.
How much room Indiana makes you keep
300 feet. Behind another truck or tractor-trailer, keep 300 feet back whenever you're outside a business or residence district, and anywhere on the interstate highway system (IC 9-21-8-15). It drops when you're passing or running in a platoon. Following a car, or in town, the rule is the general reasonable-and-prudent standard (IC 9-21-8-14): a Class C infraction up to $500. Troopers write the general statute for tailgating far more than the 300-foot line.
The required distance
- Rule: Fixed truck gap
- Gap: 300 feet behind another motor truck or tractor-trailer, outside a business or residence district and anywhere on the interstate highway system; drops when passing or platooning
- Fine: Class C infraction, judgment up to $500 (IC 34-28-5-4), plus points on your license.
Indiana Following Distance FAQ
How much following distance must a truck keep in Indiana?
What is the required gap in Indiana?
What is the following-too-closely fine in Indiana?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-9-motor-vehicles/in-code-sect-9-21-8-15/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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