It is not illegal for adults over the age of 18 to ride in the bed of a truck in Florida. However, there are important caveats to understand to ensure the driver remains compliant with the law and avoids a traffic citation.
While it may be legal to ride in the bed of a truck under many circumstances, it is not necessarily safe. If you are injured in an accident, it is smart to consult with a personal injury lawyer to understand your rights and options.
Our truck accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale have helped our firm recover more than $250 million for injured accident victims in Florida. Call today for your free, no-obligation consultation and find out how we can assist you when you are hurt in a car accident.
What Are Florida Laws Concerning Riding in the Bed of a Truck?
Florida law does not entirely prohibit riding in the bed of a truck, and there are no statewide requirements for seatbelts or restraints in the backs of trucks. Under Florida law, adults over 18 may ride in the back of trucks, but they may not ride on the sides of the vehicle.
For many people, such as farm workers or construction workers, a pickup truck provides easy transportation from site to site, so it wouldn’t make sense in Florida to outlaw riding in the back. However, the state does impose restrictions in some cases.
Minors under the age of 18 are generally prohibited from riding in the open bed of a pickup truck on limited-access highways, unless a statutory exception applies. There can be an exception if the truck bed is equipped with proper seating and restraints.
Can You Ride on the Side, Hood, or Fenders of a Truck in Florida?
No. Florida law makes it illegal for anyone to ride on the exterior of a moving vehicle. That includes fenders, hoods, bumpers, running boards, roofs, or any other areas not intended as a seating space. The law differentiates these areas from truck beds.
However, there are exceptions even to this rule. There may also be municipal and county regulations in certain areas that present additional variables.
What Are Exceptions and Special Circumstances to the Law?
For both adults and minors, there can be exceptions to safety regulations that sometimes make it legal to ride in the bed of a truck in Florida or on the exterior. These include:
- Parades
- Exhibitions
- Agricultural or work-related transportation
- Emergencies
Florida laws attempt to balance safety standards with practical applications.
Who Is Liable for People Riding in a Truck Bed?
Obviously, there are dangers to riding in the truck bed. Occupants may be injured on bumpy roads or fall out of the vehicle on sharp turns. There is little protection for passengers in the back of a pickup truck during an accident, and injuries can be very serious.
The driver may be cited for statutory violations, and civil liability depends on the specific facts of the accident. The driver can receive a citation for violations of Florida Statute § 316.2015. This is typically a fine, but it can result in harsher penalties where minors are involved.
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What Should You Do if You Are Injured While Riding in the Bed of a Truck?
If you were hurt while riding in the back of a truck, you may have a personal injury case against the driver, another motorist, or both. Important actions after your injury include:
- Get contact information for everyone involved in the accident
- Get medical attention and follow the doctor’s orders
- Hire a personal injury lawyer
- Keep track of medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses
- Report the accident to your auto insurer, even though you weren’t driving
- Keep a record of how the accident impacted you and your family
Our legal team can listen to your story and let you know if you can or should file a claim after your accident.
Should You Ride in a Truck Bed in Florida?
If you are an adult over the age of 18, it is not illegal to ride in the bed of a truck in Florida under most circumstances. The law allows this provision due to the needs of farmers, construction workers, and others who benefit from transporting personnel in their trucks.
You may not hang off the side or engage in other unsafe behaviors. Some cities or counties may have local ordinances that are stricter than Florida laws. Minors, for the most part, are prohibited from riding the back of pickups unless the truck is fitted with safety restraints.
For more than a decade, our legal team at Blakeley Law Firm has advocated for the rights of injured citizens in the state of Florida. When you are hurt in a car crash, we can help. Call now for your free consultation and tell us what happened.
