Louisiana Truck Following Distance
400 feet — the widest fixed gap in the region. Behind another motor truck out on the highway, outside a business or residential area, you can't follow within 400 feet (R.S. 32:81(B)); passing is allowed. It's a truck-behind-truck convoy rule, nothing in town. Following a car or crawling in traffic, the reasonable-and-prudent standard applies (R.S. 32:81(A)), and that's the tailgating ticket, up to $175 on a first offense (R.S. 32:57).
How much room Louisiana makes you keep
400 feet — the widest fixed gap in the region. Behind another motor truck out on the highway, outside a business or residential area, you can't follow within 400 feet (R.S. 32:81(B)); passing is allowed. It's a truck-behind-truck convoy rule, nothing in town. Following a car or crawling in traffic, the reasonable-and-prudent standard applies (R.S. 32:81(A)), and that's the tailgating ticket, up to $175 on a first offense (R.S. 32:57).
The required distance
- Rule: Fixed truck gap
- Gap: 400 feet behind another motor truck, outside a business or residential area; does not prevent overtaking and passing. Truck-behind-truck only — no fixed gap behind a car.
- Fine: Misdemeanor; fine up to $175 on a first offense, up to $500 on a repeat, plus court costs (La. R.S. 32:57).
Louisiana Following Distance FAQ
How much following distance must a truck keep in Louisiana?
What is the required gap in Louisiana?
What is the following-too-closely fine in Louisiana?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=88594. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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