The laws for taking a ride in the bed of a pickup truck vary greatly across the states in the U.S. These 21 states have no laws related to riding in the back of a pickup truck: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The other 29 states in the USA do have laws related to taking a ride in the bed of a pickup truck.
In Texas, for instance, there are specific regulations that permit this practice under certain conditions. According to Texas law, passengers under the age of 18 are prohibited from taking a ride in the bed of a pickup truck unless participating in a parade, in case of an emergency, or if the truck is the only vehicle owned by the family. However, for adults and under certain conditions, it is permissible.
In other states, the laws range from complete prohibition to conditional allowances to ride in the bed of a pickup truck. For example, California strictly prohibits passengers from taking a ride in the bed of a pickup truck unless the truck is equipped with federally approved restraints. Meanwhile, states like Florida allow it provided the passengers are over a certain age or if the vehicle is being driven at a low speed.
Due to the variability in laws, it is crucial for individuals to familiarize themselves with the specific regulations in their state and any state they may be traveling through to ensure compliance and safety.
Below is a breakdown of the laws for every state in the United States related to taking a ride in the bed of a pickup truck.
State | Summary of State Laws | Associated Links |
Alabama | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Alaska | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Arizona | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Arkansas | No person shall ride on any vehicle upon any portion of the vehicle not designed or intended for the use of passengers. | AR Code § 27-35-104 |
California | It is legal to ride in the cargo area or back of a truck as long as it’s not on the highway and there is a federally approved restraint system that restrains you while in the back of the truck. See link for some exceptions. | VEH § 23116 |
Colorado | It is legal for a seated passenger who is at least 16 years old to ride in the bed of a truck, as long as the tailgate is closed, or the area they’re sitting in is enclosed on all sides. | CO-18-4-502 |
Connecticut | Passengers under 16 years of age cannot ride in the open bed of a truck-type vehicle or other vehicle. However, such passengers are allowed to ride in such open spaces if they are properly restrained in a safety belt that complies with federal regulations. | Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-272a, 14-296 |
Delaware | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
District of Columbia | Only on-duty employees are allowed to ride in the bed of a truck. | DC Traffic Laws |
Florida | 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. | Florida Code 316.2015-2B |
Georgia | It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 to ride as a passenger in the uncovered bed of a pickup truck on any interstate highway in this state. | Code 1981, § 40-8-79 |
Hawaii | It is legal to ride in the bed of a pickup truck as long as there’s no more seats available in the cab, the side racks and tailgate is secured, everyone is seated on the floor, and the passengers in the truck bed are 12 or older. | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291-14 |
Idaho | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Illinois | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Indiana | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Iowa | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Kansas | Persons under age 14 are prohibited from riding in any portion of the vehicle not intended for passengers; this includes riding in the back of pickup trucks. | Article 15-8-1578a |
Kentucky | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Louisiana | No person or persons under the age of 12 years old shall be permitted to be a passenger in the open bed of a pickup truck. | La. Tit. 32, § 284 |
Maine | A passenger must be 19 years of age to ride in the bed of a pickup truck. | Title 29-A, §2088 |
Maryland | A child under 16 years of age may not ride in the unenclosed cargo bed of a pickup truck. | Maryland § 21-1121 |
Massachusetts | A child under 12 years of age cannot ride in the bed of a pickup truck. | Mass Chapter 90-13A |
Michigan | A person under 18 years of age cannot ride in the bed of a pickup truck on a highway, road, or street in a city, village, or township at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour. | MCL-Section 257.682b |
Minnesota | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Mississippi | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Missouri | No person under 18 years of age shall ride in the unenclosed bed of such truck when the truck is in operation. | Mo Section 304.665 |
Montana | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Nebraska | No person under 18 years of age can ride in the bed of a pickup truck unless riding in a parade. | Nebraska DOT Law |
Nevada | Any such passenger must be 18 years or older, or the trust must be being used for farming or ranching. | NV 484B.160 |
New Hampshire | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
New Jersey | It is illegal for anyone to ride in the bed of a pickup truck or any part of a motor vehicle not intended for passenger use. | Section 3 4-69: |
New Mexico | Passengers over the age of 18 can ride in the bed of a pickup truck. | HBO116 |
New York | Riding in the back of a pickup truck is illegal on all New York State roads and highways, except for vehicles specifically designed to transport passengers in the back with safety features that meet federal standards. | NY Section 1222 |
North Carolina | Children under the age of 16 cannot ride in the bed of a pickup truck without permanent overhead restraining construction. | NC 20-135.2B |
North Dakota | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Ohio | No truck, trailer, or semitrailer driver may allow anyone under 16 to ride in the open cargo area if the vehicle exceeds 25 mph, unless: 1) the area has a properly secured seat with a compliant seatbelt, and the passenger is seated and buckled; or 2) an emergency threatens the life of the driver or passenger. | Section 4511.51-E |
Oklahoma | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Oregon | Oregon law prohibits anyone under 18 years of age from riding on the hood, fender, running board, or other external part of a vehicle, including a pickup bed. | ORS 811.205 |
Pennsylvania | An open-bed pickup truck or open flatbed truck may not be driven at a speed of more than 35 miles per hour if any person is occupying the bed of the truck. Such a truck may not be driven at any speed if a child less than 18 years of age is occupying the bed of the truck or trailer | PA Title 75-§ 3719.a.b. |
Rhode Island | The law prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from taking a ride in the bed of a pickup truck. | RI Gen. Law 31-22-22 |
South Carolina | It is unlawful to transport a person under 15 years of age in the open bed or open cargo area of a pickup truck or trailer. | SC Title § 55-8-189 |
South Dakota | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Tennessee | Children as young as 6 can ride in the bed of a pickup truck within city limits but a passenger must be over 12 years of age to ride in the bed when traveling on an interstate. | Title 55-8-189 |
Texas | Texas law permits adults 18 years and older to ride in the open bed of a pickup truck or open trailer. | TRANSP. Code Section 545.414-a. |
Utah | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Vermont | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Virginia | Passengers over the age of 16 can ride in the bed of a pickup truck. | Code Section 46.2-1156.1 |
Washington | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
West Virginia | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Wisconsin | Passengers over the age of 16 can ride in the bed of a pickup truck and can do so only if they are seated in the box. | Section Code 346.922 |
Wyoming | No state law prohibiting someone of any age from riding in the bed of a truck. | No State Law |
Riding in the bed of a pickup truck presents significant dangers that cannot be overlooked. Firstly, there are no safety restraints to protect passengers in the event of a sudden stop or collision, which can result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Additionally, passengers are exposed to the elements and road debris, increasing the risk of harm. The lack of stability and protection in the truck bed also means that passengers can be easily thrown from the vehicle during sharp turns or if the truck hits a bump.
Consequently, it is essential to recognize these risks and ensure that all passengers are seated safely inside the cabin. Especially children, in fact, only 17 states actually have laws keeping children out of the beds of pickups while traveling. According to the statistics from the National Library of Medicine. Seventy-one percent of the states with pickup truck regulations include only the preschool-age child.
A review of medical records for a 40-month period revealed 40 patients whose injuries were a direct result of being a passenger in the bed of a pickup truck.
Victims of accidents who are seated in the bed of a pickup truck can suffer a range of severe injuries due to the lack of protection and safety restraints. Common injuries from riding in the bed of a pickup truck include:
The absence of seat belts and proper seating drastically increases the likelihood of being thrown from the truck, which can result in further injuries. Given these risks, it is imperative to stress the importance of sitting inside the vehicle where proper safety measures can be utilized.
Young males represent the majority of people who ride in the bed of a pickup truck. In fact, 69-75% of passengers in the beds of trucks are males. One of the primary reasons why young men are often seen riding in the bed of a pickup truck is the sense of adventure and freedom it provides. The open air, unencumbered by the confines of a vehicle cab, offers a thrilling experience that is particularly appealing to younger individuals seeking excitement.
Additionally, riding in the bed of a truck can be a social activity, allowing friends to engage more easily with each other during trips, making it a popular choice among young men looking for camaraderie and shared experiences. Another factor is the portrayal of this practice in popular culture, from movies to music videos, which often glamorize the notion of riding in a truck bed, associating it with a rugged, carefree lifestyle. While this mode of travel has its allure, it is crucial to remember the safety risks and legal issues involved.
Riding in the bed of a truck can be dangerous and is illegal in many places. If you find yourself needing to transport passengers this way, here are some essential safety tips to consider:
Remember, the safest place for passengers is always inside the vehicle’s cab where they are protected by seatbelts and airbags.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence while taking a ride in the bed of a pickup truck, our Texas personal injury lawyers can help you understand your options and your rights. Call us at today for a FREE CONSULTATION. There’s never a fee unless we win your case.
Thompson Law charges NO FEES unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We have put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements into our clients’ pockets.
Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get answers to your questions, and understand your legal options. State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.