Is It Illegal to Ride in the Bed of a Truck in WV?

Riding in the bed of a truck is a common practice across West Virginia, as it is in many other states as well. But is it actually legal to ride in the bed of a truck in West Virginia?

The answer is not as clear-cut as one might think.

While there are no laws that explicitly prohibit riding in the bed of a truck in West Virginia, there are several laws that could potentially be applied depending on the circumstances. For example, state law requires vehicle occupants to be properly restrained with seatbelts and children under 18 must wear seatbelts or be properly secured by an appropriate child restraint system.

Additionally, anyone under 18 must ride in the back seat if available.

There are also some city ordinances that can restrict riding in the bed of a truck. For example, some cities have ordinances prohibiting people from riding in open beds of pick-up trucks except for parades and similar events. Other cities have ordinances prohibiting anyone from riding on top of or inside any cargo space such as the bed of a truck.

In conclusion, while there are no laws that explicitly prohibit riding in the bed of a truck in West Virginia, there are various laws and city ordinances that could potentially be applied depending on the circumstances. Therefore, it is always best to check with local authorities before allowing anyone to ride in the bed of a truck.

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Karen Watkins