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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 11Ch. 3Art. 2§ 21712 Passenger Area Riding Restrictions

§ 21712 Passenger Area Riding Restrictions

Vehicle Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 21712 Passenger Area Riding Restrictions

This law says you can't ride in parts of a car that aren't made for passengers, like the trunk or the back of a truck. It also says you can't tow people on bikes, skates, or other small vehicles.

Key Takeaways

  • •Don't let people ride in the trunk of a car—it's illegal and dangerous.
  • •You can't ride in parts of a vehicle not meant for passengers, like the bed of a truck or the roof.
  • •Towing someone on a bike, skateboard, or sled behind a car is not allowed.
  • •Workers doing their job (like delivery drivers) are allowed to ride in the back of a truck if needed.
  • •Fines start at $100 for the first offense and go up to $250 if you keep breaking the law within a year.

Example

A group of friends tries to fit everyone in a car by having two people sit in the trunk.

This is against the law. The driver and the people in the trunk could get fined.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21712 Passenger Area Riding Restrictions

(a) A person driving a motor vehicle shall not knowingly permit a person to ride on a vehicle or upon a portion of a vehicle that is not designed or intended for the use of passengers. (b) A person shall not ride on a vehicle or upon a portion of a vehicle that is not designed or intended for the use of passengers. (c) A person driving a motor vehicle shall not knowingly permit a person to ride in the trunk of that motor vehicle. (d) A person shall not ride in the trunk of a motor vehicle. (e) A person violating subdivision (c) or (d) shall be punished as follows: (1) By a fine of one hundred dollars ($100). (2) For a second violation occurring within one year of a prior violation that resulted in a conviction, a fine of two hundred dollars ($200). (3) For a third or a subsequent violation occurring within one year of two or more prior violations that resulted in convictions, a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250). (f) Subdivisions (a) and (b) do not apply to an employee engaged in the necessary discharge of his or her duty or in the case of persons riding completely within or upon vehicle bodies in the space intended for a load on the vehicle. (g) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle that is towing a trailer coach, camp trailer, or trailer carrying a vessel, containing a passenger, except when a trailer carrying or designed to carry a vessel is engaged in the launching or recovery of the vessel. (h) A person shall not knowingly drive a motor vehicle that is towing a person riding upon a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, skis, or toy vehicle. (i) Subdivision (g) does not apply to a trailer coach that is towed with a fifth-wheel device if the trailer coach is equipped with safety glazing materials wherever glazing materials are used in windows or doors, with an audible or visual signaling device that a passenger inside the trailer coach can use to gain the attention of the motor vehicle driver, and with at least one unobstructed exit capable of being opened from both the interior and exterior of the trailer coach. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 900, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

motor vehiclenot designed or intended for the use of passengerstrunkfinetowing a trailer coachfifth-wheel device

Related Statutes

  • § 16457 Financial Responsibility Vehicle Coverage
  • § 21704 Slow Vehicle Following Distance
  • § 21710 Downhill Coasting Prohibition
  • § 21713 Armored Car Licensing Requirements
  • § 21721 Pocket Bike Seizure Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21712.
View Official Source