What is the law regarding riding in the open bed of a truck? I have heard 18 but my friend said you can ride if you have your license. I just told him you wont get a free ride unless I find out what the law is. I don't want a ticket. Especially during school going out for lunch.

 

No one under 18 can ride in an open bed. Its a class c misdemeanor. They do have some defense from prosecution expections like riding on a beach and others. But like we say you might beat the rap but you can't beat the ride. lol

 

§ 545.414. RIDING IN OPEN BEDS; OFFENSE. (a) A person
commits an offense if the person operates an open-bed pickup truck
or an open flatbed truck or draws an open flatbed trailer when a
child younger than 18 years of age is occupying the bed of the truck
or trailer.
(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of not less than $25 or more than $200.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that
the person was:
(1) operating or towing the vehicle in a parade or in
an emergency;
(2) operating the vehicle to transport farmworkers
from one field to another field on a farm-to-market road,
ranch-to-market road, or county road outside a municipality;
(3) operating the vehicle on a beach;
(4) operating a vehicle that is the only vehicle owned
or operated by the members of a household; or
(5) operating the vehicle in a hayride permitted by
the governing body of or a law enforcement agency of each county or
municipality in which the hayride will occur.
(d) Compliance or noncompliance with Subsection (a) is not
admissible evidence in a civil trial.
(e) In this section, "household" has the meaning assigned by
Section 71.005, Family Code.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended
by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 79, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

 

wow good info

 

thanks guys.