It’s a classic summer scene: a pickup truck filled with friends, tooling around town, the sound of laughter and music filling the air as the sun sets. But is it really legal to ride in the back of a pickup truck? The answer is complicated.
The legality of riding in a pickup truck bed varies from state to state. In some states, it’s perfectly legal while in others, it is either illegal or only permitted under certain conditions. Generally, states that allow pickups to be used as passenger vehicles also allow passengers to ride in the bed.
In California, for example, it is illegal for anyone over 18 to ride in the back of a pickup truck unless they are seated in an approved restraining device. It is also important to note that riding in or on any part of a vehicle on a highway is strictly prohibited.
In Florida, riding in the bed of a pickup truck is allowed if you are 18 or younger and wearing a seatbelt. If you are over 18, you must be seated in an approved restraining device.
In Texas, passengers over 18 can ride in the back of a pickup truck without any additional safety equipment as long as they are not on an expressway. On expressways, all passengers must be properly restrained with either seatbelts or approved restraining devices.
In New York, riding in the bed of a pickup truck is strictly prohibited for anyone over 18. There are no exceptions.
In Pennsylvania, only those under 12 years old may legally ride in the bed of a pickup truck on public roads; those who are over 12 must be properly restrained with seatbelts or other approved restraining devices.
In Michigan, all passengers must be properly restrained with seatbelts or other approved restraining devices regardless of age.
In Illinois, both adults and children may legally ride unrestrained in the back of pickups trucks provided they are traveling at speeds slower than 35 miles per hour and not on an expressway.
In Arizona, passengers over five years old may legally ride unrestrained at speeds lower than 35 miles per hour on roads other than interstate highways; however, all occupants must be properly restrained when traveling at higher speeds or on interstate highways.
In Colorado, it is illegal for anyone over 18 to ride unrestrained in the bed of a pickup truck regardless of speed; all occupants must wear seatbelts or use an approved restraining device.
Conclusion:
The legality of riding in the back of a pickup truck varies from state to state, so it’s important to check your local laws before attempting this activity. In most states, it is illegal for those over 18 years old to do so without using an appropriate restraint device such as seatbelts or specially designed restraining devices.
