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Texas Transportation Code - TRANSP § 545.414. Riding in Open Beds; Offense

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(a) A person commits an offense if the person operates an open-bed pickup truck or an open flatbed truck or draws an open flatbed trailer when a child younger than 18 years of age is occupying the bed of the truck or trailer.

(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $25 or more than $200.

(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was:

(1) operating or towing the vehicle in a parade or in an emergency;

(2) operating the vehicle to transport farmworkers from one field to another field on a farm-to-market road, ranch-to-market road, or county road outside a municipality;

(3) operating the vehicle on a beach;

(4) operating a vehicle that is the only vehicle owned or operated by the members of a household; or

(5) operating the vehicle in a hayride permitted by the governing body of or a law enforcement agency of each county or municipality in which the hayride will occur.

(d) Compliance or noncompliance with Subsection (a) is not admissible evidence in a civil trial.

(e) In this section, “household” has the meaning assigned by Section 71.005, Family Code.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Texas Transportation Code - TRANSP § 545.414. Riding in Open Beds; Offense - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/transportation-code/transp-sect-545-414.html

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