Iowa Truck Following Distance
No truck number anymore. Iowa's old 300-foot rule for trucks and towed vehicles (former § 321.308) was repealed in 2019, so you're on the general standard: don't follow more closely than is reasonable and prudent (Iowa Code § 321.307). That's the tailgating ticket, a scheduled $135 fine plus the 15% surcharge and court costs, and a simple misdemeanor if you fight it. Run the CDL 7-second gap.
How much room Iowa makes you keep
No truck number anymore. Iowa's old 300-foot rule for trucks and towed vehicles (former § 321.308) was repealed in 2019, so you're on the general standard: don't follow more closely than is reasonable and prudent (Iowa Code § 321.307). That's the tailgating ticket, a scheduled $135 fine plus the 15% surcharge and court costs, and a simple misdemeanor if you fight it. Run the CDL 7-second gap.
The required distance
- Rule: Reasonable & prudent
- Gap: No fixed distance — reasonable and prudent. The old 300-foot truck-and-towed-vehicle rule (former § 321.308) was repealed in 2019.
- Fine: Scheduled violation — a $135 fine (Iowa Code § 805.8A(7)(c)) plus the 15% state surcharge and court costs. Charged as a simple misdemeanor if contested.
Iowa Following Distance FAQ
How much following distance must a truck keep in Iowa?
What is the required gap in Iowa?
What is the following-too-closely fine in Iowa?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.307.pdf. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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