The minimum age to legally ride in the bed of a pickup truck varies by state in the U.S., with many states imposing specific age restrictions or conditions:

• Some states allow riding in the truck bed only if passengers are adults, typically 18 years or older (e.g., New Mexico, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Nevada)

• Other states set lower minimum ages, often between 12 and 16 years old, sometimes with additional requirements such as being seated, restrained, or only on certain roads (e.g., Tennessee allows 12 and older on highways, 6 and older on city streets; Virginia requires 16 and older; Colorado requires 16 and older seated with tailgate closed)

• Several states prohibit children under certain ages from riding in truck beds altogether, often under 16 years old, unless specific safety restraints or overhead protection are in place (e.g., North Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts)

• Some states have no explicit age restrictions or allow riding in truck beds without restrictions (e.g., Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia)

In summary, the legal minimum age ranges from as young as 6 (with restrictions) in Tennessee to 19 in Maine, but most states set the limit at 12, 15, 16, or 18 years old. It is important to check the specific laws of your state or locality, as rules and exceptions vary widely

. Riding in the bed of a truck is generally unsafe due to lack of protection in crashes, and even where legal, it is recommended to exercise caution and follow all safety regulations