Can you ride in a truck bed in Missouri? Here's what the law says
Picture this — you're out with your friends on a warm Missouri afternoon, and someone suggests hopping into the bed of their pickup truck for the ride home.
While the practice isn't uncommon, especially in more rural areas, is it actually legal?
Here's what to know about riding in a truck bed in Missouri, and what can get you in trouble.
A drone photo of the castle ruins at Ha Ha Tonka State Park on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Nathan Papes/Springfield News-Leader)Wildflowers grow on a slope at Ha Ha Tonka State Park on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Nathan Papes/Springfield News-Leader)The view of a spring from an overlook at Ha Ha Tonka State Park on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Nathan Papes/Springfield News-Leader)The Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area overlooking Branson, Mo. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The conservation area consist of 1,534 acres, with forest, glades, trails and a lookout tower. (Sara Karnes special to the Springfield News-Leader)The Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area overlooking Branson, Mo. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The conservation area consist of 1,534 acres, with forest, glades, trails and a lookout tower. (Sara Karnes special to the Springfield News-Leader)Offering 360-degree views of the Ozarks, Branson’s Inspiration Tower sits 230 feet in the air and was built in 1989 for $1.5 million. (Sara Karnes special to the Springfield News-Leader)The Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area overlooking Branson, Mo. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The conservation area consists of 1,534 acres, with forest, glades, trails and a lookout tower. (Sara Karnes special to the Springfield News-Leader)Offering 360-degree views of the Ozarks, Branson’s Inspiration Tower sits 230 feet in the air and was built in 1989 for $1.5 million. (Sara Karnes special to the Springfield News-Leader)The Missouri State Capitol overlooks the Missouri River in Jefferson City on April 20. (Guillermo Hernandez Martinez/Springfield News-Leader)Mill Creek Elementary School fourth-graders take a boat ride on the Missouri River during a field trip Thursday organized by Missouri River Relief at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area. [Timothy Tai/Tribune] (Timothy Tai/Columbia Daily Tribune)The Gateway Arch in St. Louis on March 28, 2026. (Michael Gulledge/Special to the News-Leader)The Gateway Arch in St. Louis on March 28, 2026. (Michael Gulledge/Special to the News-Leader)The Gateway Arch in St. Louis viewed from Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park in East St. Louis, Illinois, the evening of March 28, 2026. (Michael Gulledge/Special to the News-Leader)
Missouri law prohibits those under 18 from riding in the unenclosed bed of a pickup truck that weighs less than 12,000 pounds. This applies to any highway that is part of the state or federal highway system and within a city's limits.
However, there are several exceptions, including:
It is a necessary part of your job
You're engaged in agricultural activities
You're in a parade, caravan or exhibition
The pickup bed has been modified to keep the passenger from being thrown from the vehicle
You're participating in a special event and there isn't enough seating in the cabin
You're assisting and/or ensuring the safety of someone engaged in a recreational activity
The truck is the only vehicle owned by your immediate family and there isn't enough space in the cabin
Anyone caught illegally riding in the bed of a pickup will be found guilty of a class C misdemeanor. Penalties include a fine of up to $750 and/or up to 15 days in jail.
There are no laws that prohibit animals from riding in the bed of a pickup truck in the state. However, there are safety concerns pet owners should consider.
Allowing dogs or other critters to ride loose in a truck bed can put them at risk for sudden stops, sharp turns, road debris and other hazards. Also, if an animal is injured or killed riding unsecured in a truck bed, the driver could face a citation under the state's animal cruelty laws.
The American Veterinary Medical Association advises securing pets safely, either in a kennel placed in the truck bed or with a harness inside the cabin.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Can you ride in a truck bed in Missouri? Here's what the law says