A person may legally ride in the back of a pickup truck when:
- The sides of the pickup bed are at least 24 inches high.
- The back of the pickup is covered with a camper shell.
- In a secured seat and while using an approved safety belt. ✓
Answer: C. In a secured seat and while using an approved safety belt.
A person may legally ride in the back of a pickup truck only when the truck has secure seats and safety belts, and the rider is secured in a seat with an approved belt.
Why this is the answer
The California Driver Handbook tells drivers they may not let anyone ride in the back of a pickup or other truck unless that vehicle has secure seats and seat belts. So the lawful situation is a rider sitting in a proper seat, belted in with an approved safety belt. The handbook does not give a pass based on how tall the bed sides are or on having a camper shell over the bed. The only condition it names is secure seating plus safety belts, which is what the correct choice describes.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. The sides of the pickup bed are at least 24 inches high. — Nothing in the handbook sets a required height for the sides of a pickup bed as a condition for carrying passengers back there.
- B. The back of the pickup is covered with a camper shell. — A camper shell over the bed is not mentioned as something that makes riding in the back of a pickup legal.
Remember it
Ask yourself whether there is a real seat with a real belt back there. If not, nobody rides in the bed.