Is It Legal to Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck? | Magnum Truck Racks (2024)

FAQs

Can passengers sit in the back of a pickup truck? ›

In California, it is legal to ride in the cargo area or back of a truck as long as one of the following is true: There is a federally approved restraint system that restrains you while in the back of the truck.

Some states only have regulations on the age requirements of passengers who ride in the back of a pickup truck. Others (like Arkansas, Utah, and New Jersey) prohibit passengers from riding in the back of a truck altogether.

Texas law permits adults 18 years and older to ride in the open bed of a truck or open trailer. Conversely, passengers under 18 years old are prohibited from doing so, and a driver that permits a minor to ride in the bed of a truck is subject to a $25 to $200 fine, except under certain exceptions.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Alabama has no state law or restrictions for riding in the back of a truck at any age. Although there is no law pertaining to riding in the back of a truck, there are plenty of child passenger restraint laws.

Texas law provides that answer. Texas law does not forbid anyone over the age of 18 from riding in the open bed of a truck or trailer. However, the same cannot be said for Texans younger than 18. Drivers caught with a minor in the bed of a truck or on a trailer can face a fine between $25 and $200.

You can legally ride in the bed of a pickup truck in Pa. under a few conditions. Pennsylvania vehicle code allows for passengers to travel in the open bed of a pickup truck under two main conditions: the truck isn't going faster than 35 mph and the passenger isn't under the age of 18.

Not allow a person to ride in the back of a pickup or other truck unless the vehicle has secure seats and seat (safety) belts. Not transport animals in the back of a pickup or other truck unless the animal is properly secured. This prevents the animal from falling, jumping, or being thrown from the vehicle.

Space limitations often lead passengers to ride in the cargo area. Ohio's Open Cargo Law restricts the transporting of passengers in the open cargo area of most vehicles. The law prohibits people under the age of 16 from riding in an unenclosed area of a vehicle traveling faster than 25 mph.

Tennessee -- On Tennessee's state highways, anybody over 12 years old can ride in a truck bed. Also, children as young as six can ride in truck beds within city limits.

According to Florida law, adults 18 and older can ride in the bed of a pickup truck without a seat belt as long as they are sitting flat on the bed, and not elevated on any surface like a cooler or cardboard box.

What is the seat belt law in Texas? ›

In Texas, the law requires everyone in a vehicle to buckle up or face fines and court costs up to $200. Children younger than eight years must be in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they're taller than four feet nine inches.

If all of the passenger seats were occupied, there is NOTHING that addresses riding in the trunk of a car being illegal in Texas.

A driver may permit a person to ride upon the bed of a flatbed truck or within the bed of a pickup truck if the person is: (a) Eighteen years of age or older; or (b) Under 18 years of age and the motor vehicle is: (1) Being used in the course of farming or ranching; or (2) Being driven in a parade authorized by a local ...

Violation of the seat belt law is a standard offense. Riding in the cargo area of a pickup truck bed is permitted.

There is no limit on how many people can ride in the bed of a truck in North Carolina. However, state law prohibits drivers from operating vehicles that are crowded with passengers to the point where it obstructs their view of the road.

Not allow a person to ride in the back of a pickup or other truck unless the vehicle has secure seats and seat (safety) belts. Not transport animals in the back of a pickup or other truck unless the animal is properly secured. This prevents the animal from falling, jumping, or being thrown from the vehicle.

Can children ride in the back of pickup trucks in NC? According to North Carolina law, children under the age of 16 cannot be transported in the bed or cargo area of a vehicle “without permanent overhead restraining construction.”

Ohio's Open Cargo Law restricts the transporting of passengers in the open cargo area of most vehicles. The law prohibits people under the age of 16 from riding in an unenclosed area of a vehicle traveling faster than 25 mph.