No, riding unrestrained in a truck bed is illegal under Nebraska Revised Statute § 60-6,167(1), which prohibits transporting passengers in open cargo areas unless seated in approved seating. The Nebraska Department of Transportation enforces this via local law enforcement, with 2026 amendments tightening penalties for violations involving minors.
Key Regulations for Riding in the Back of a Truck in Nebraska
- Seating Requirement: Passengers must use factory-installed or aftermarket seats with seatbelts (NRS § 60-6,167(2)).
- Age Restrictions: Children under 18 are prohibited from riding in truck beds under Nebraska’s 2026 Child Passenger Safety Act updates.
- Speed & Distance Limits: Local ordinances in Omaha and Lincoln cap truck bed travel to speeds under 25 mph within city limits, per municipal traffic codes.
Violations incur fines up to $200 for first offenses, escalating to $500 for repeat infractions. The Nebraska State Patrol’s 2025 “Safe Roads” initiative targets commercial and recreational vehicles, requiring operators to certify compliance with passenger safety protocols during roadside inspections. Municipalities like Bellevue and Grand Island have additional ordinances banning truck bed riding entirely on public roads.