No, riding in the back of an unenclosed truck is illegal in France under the Code de la route (Article R412-6), with exceptions for agricultural or emergency vehicles. Violations risk fines up to €135 and vehicle impoundment. Local authorities, including préfectures, enforce compliance under Décret n°2023-1212 (2026 amendments).
Key Regulations for Riding in the Back of a Truck in France
- Passenger Safety: Only enclosed or covered trucks meeting norme NF EN 12642 standards permit passenger transport. Open-bed transport is prohibited unless explicitly authorized (e.g., agricultural machinery transport).
- Speed Limits: Even when permitted, vehicles must not exceed 60 km/h in urban areas or 80 km/h on highways, per Arrêté du 29 septembre 2008.
- Liability: Drivers and employers face joint liability under Code du travail (Article L4131-1) for non-compliance, including worker safety violations enforced by DIRECCTE.
Local gendarmerie and police municipale conduct spot checks, particularly in regions like Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Île-de-France, where urban sprawl increases enforcement. Recent 2026 EU directives on road safety (Directive (UE) 2023/2465) further tighten exemptions, requiring mandatory seatbelts or restraint systems in all permitted cases. Employers transporting workers must document risk assessments under Décret n°2023-1212, aligning with INRS guidelines.