Michigan Truck Following Distance
500 feet. Outside city or village limits, if your vehicle grosses over 5,000 pounds you stay 500 feet back from a like heavy vehicle moving your way (MCL 257.643(2)), except when passing and not in a platoon. On the open road you also leave room for a car to pass and merge (MCL 257.643a). In town and in traffic the reasonable-and-prudent standard governs (257.643(1)): a civil infraction, about $125 with costs and 2 points.
How much room Michigan makes you keep
500 feet. Outside city or village limits, if your vehicle grosses over 5,000 pounds you stay 500 feet back from a like heavy vehicle moving your way (MCL 257.643(2)), except when passing and not in a platoon. On the open road you also leave room for a car to pass and merge (MCL 257.643a). In town and in traffic the reasonable-and-prudent standard governs (257.643(1)): a civil infraction, about $125 with costs and 2 points.
The required distance
- Rule: Fixed truck gap
- Gap: 500 feet behind a like vehicle over 5,000 lbs gross weight, outside the corporate limits of a city or village, except when passing; plus a separate 'leave room for a passing car to merge' convoy gap for trucks on the open road (257.643a)
- Fine: Civil infraction: about $125 base fine plus court costs and 2 points (doubled in a work, school, or emergency zone).
Michigan Following Distance FAQ
How much following distance must a truck keep in Michigan?
What is the required gap in Michigan?
What is the following-too-closely fine in Michigan?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-257-643. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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