No, riding in the back of a truck in Mexico is prohibited under federal transit laws unless the vehicle is explicitly designed for passenger transport, such as a camión de pasajeros or a volteo with certified seating. The Ley Federal de Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre (LFTRT) and its 2024 amendments under the Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT) classify such practices as hazardous, imposing fines up to 1,000 UDMs (approx. $75,000 MXN) and vehicle impoundment. Exceptions exist for agricultural or construction zones with prior authorization from local transit authorities.
Key Regulations for Riding in the Back of a Truck in Mexico
- Federal Ban: Articles 36 and 37 of the LFTRT explicitly prohibit transporting persons in cargo areas unless the vehicle meets passenger transport standards (e.g., camiones de carga con asientos autorizados).
- State-Level Variations: Entities like Mexico City’s Secretaría de Movilidad (SEMOVI) and Jalisco’s Secretaría de Transporte enforce stricter local ordinances, often criminalizing the practice as mochilazo (hitchhiking in cargo areas).
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: The SICT’s Programa Nacional de Seguridad Vial 2026 mandates electronic monitoring of cargo vehicles, with AI-driven dashcams flagging violations for immediate sanctions.
Violations are adjudicated by municipal or state transit courts, with penalties escalating for repeat offenses. Employers or drivers facilitating such transport may face corporate liability under Ley Federal del Trabajo for endangering workers. Always verify local transit codes, as rural municipalities occasionally permit exceptions for short-distance agricultural transport.