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Following Distance No. MD Gap between trucks

Maryland Truck Following Distance

No fixed feet. Maryland's truck rule is a convoy gap: outside a business or residential district, behind another truck or a vehicle towing another, leave room for a passing car to merge (Md. Transp. 21-310(b)). No number, and it never stops you passing. Tailgating tickets ride on the general reasonable-and-prudent rule (21-310(a)): a payable citation with a modest preset fine, 2 points - 3 if it causes a crash - up to $500 in court.

Truck ruleGap between trucks
Required gapEnough space for a passing car to merge - no fixed feet; outside a business or residential district, behind another truck or a towing vehicle
FinePayable citation with a modest preset fine; up to $500 in court
StatuteMd. Transp. 21-310 - general (a), truck gap (b)-(c), platoon carve-out (f)

A detail here is flagged medium confidence — confirm with the state statute before you rely on it.

01 The rule

How much room Maryland makes you keep

No fixed feet. Maryland's truck rule is a convoy gap: outside a business or residential district, behind another truck or a vehicle towing another, leave room for a passing car to merge (Md. Transp. 21-310(b)). No number, and it never stops you passing. Tailgating tickets ride on the general reasonable-and-prudent rule (21-310(a)): a payable citation with a modest preset fine, 2 points - 3 if it causes a crash - up to $500 in court.

02 The gap

The required distance

Maryland Following Distance FAQ

How much following distance must a truck keep in Maryland?
Maryland requires a gap between trucks in a line: Enough space for a passing car to merge - no fixed feet; outside a business or residential district, behind another truck or a towing vehicle.. No fixed feet.
What is the required gap in Maryland?
Enough space for a passing car to merge - no fixed feet; outside a business or residential district, behind another truck or a towing vehicle.
What is the following-too-closely fine in Maryland?
Payable citation with a modest preset fine; up to $500 in court. 2 points; 3 if it causes a crash.

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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gtr&section=21-310&enactments=false. See our Terms & Disclaimer.

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