Wisconsin Truck Following Distance
500 feet. If your truck or combination grosses over 10,000 pounds, you stay 500 feet back from ANY vehicle ahead out on the open road, not just behind other trucks (Wis. Stat. 346.14(2)). It switches off on truck-only lanes and never stops you from passing. In town or heavy traffic the rule that binds you, and the ticket a trooper writes, is the general reasonable-and-prudent standard (346.14(1m)): about $175 with costs and 3 demerit points.
How much room Wisconsin makes you keep
500 feet. If your truck or combination grosses over 10,000 pounds, you stay 500 feet back from ANY vehicle ahead out on the open road, not just behind other trucks (Wis. Stat. 346.14(2)). It switches off on truck-only lanes and never stops you from passing. In town or heavy traffic the rule that binds you, and the ticket a trooper writes, is the general reasonable-and-prudent standard (346.14(1m)): about $175 with costs and 3 demerit points.
The required distance
- Rule: Fixed truck gap
- Gap: 500 feet behind any vehicle ahead, outside a business or residence district, for a truck or combination over 10,000 lbs; not on truck-only lanes, not while passing, and not for platoon followers
- Fine: About $175 forfeiture with court costs, plus 3 demerit points (Wis. Stat. 346.14(1m)); the statutory forfeiture runs $30-$300 (Wis. Stat. 346.17(2)) depending on the court.
Wisconsin Following Distance FAQ
How much following distance must a truck keep in Wisconsin?
What is the required gap in Wisconsin?
What is the following-too-closely fine in Wisconsin?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/346/ii/14?view=section. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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