North Dakota Truck Following Distance
No fixed number for you. Out on the open road behind another truck or a combination, leave enough room for a passing car to slip in — 'sufficient space,' not a set distance (N.D.C.C. § 39-10-18(2)). Behind a car or anywhere in town it's reasonable and prudent (§ 39-10-18(1)), and that's the tailgating ticket, a $20 noncriminal fee. The separate 500-foot rule is only for trailing an emergency vehicle (§ 39-10-57), not a general limit.
How much room North Dakota makes you keep
No fixed number for you. Out on the open road behind another truck or a combination, leave enough room for a passing car to slip in — 'sufficient space,' not a set distance (N.D.C.C. § 39-10-18(2)). Behind a car or anywhere in town it's reasonable and prudent (§ 39-10-18(1)), and that's the tailgating ticket, a $20 noncriminal fee. The separate 500-foot rule is only for trailing an emergency vehicle (§ 39-10-57), not a general limit.
The required distance
- Rule: Gap between trucks
- Gap: Sufficient space for a passing car to merge — behind another truck outside a business or residence district; no fixed feet. Everything else is reasonable and prudent.
- Fine: Following too close (§ 39-10-18(1)) is a noncriminal traffic violation — a $20 statutory fee, 0 points on the state fee schedule. A resulting crash can draw a separate careless- or reckless-driving charge.
North Dakota Following Distance FAQ
How much following distance must a truck keep in North Dakota?
What is the required gap in North Dakota?
What is the following-too-closely fine in North Dakota?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t39c10.pdf. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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