Boonville Passengers in truck beds ordinance (§ 12-18)
Chapter 12: Motor Vehicles and Traffic · Article I. In General
In short: No one under 18 may ride in the open bed of a pickup truck under 12,000 pounds licensed weight, with exceptions such as work, farm use, parades, or when secured; fine up to $25.00 plus court costs.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) No person shall operate any truck, as defined in Section 301.010 RSMo., with a licensed gross weight of less than 12,000 pounds when such truck is operated within the corporate limits of this city when any person under 18 years of age is riding in the unenclosed bed of such truck when the truck is in operation. Any person who operates a truck with a licensed gross weight of less than 12,000 pounds in violation of this section shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $25.00 plus court costs. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
(1) An employee engaged in the necessary discharge of the employee's duties where it is necessary to ride in the unenclosed bed of the truck;
(2) Any person while engaged in agricultural activities where it is necessary to ride in the unenclosed bed of the truck;
(3) Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck while such truck is being operated in a parade, caravan or exhibition which is authorized by law;
(4) Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck has installed a means of preventing such person from being discharged or such person is secured to the truck in a manner which will prevent the person from being thrown, falling or jumping from the truck;
(5) Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck is being operated solely for the purposes of participating in a special event and it is necessary that the person ride in such unenclosed bed due to a lack of available seating. "Special event", for the purposes of this section, is a specific social activity of a definable duration which is participated in by the person riding in the unenclosed bed;
(6) Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck is being operated solely for the purposes of providing assistance to, or ensuring the safety of, other persons engaged in a recreational activity; or
(7) Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck is the only legally titled, licensed and insured vehicle owned by the family of the person riding in the unenclosed bed and there is insufficient room in the passenger cab of the truck to accommodate all passengers in such truck. For the purpose of this subdivision, the term "family" shall mean any persons related within the first degree of consanguinity.
Official source: City of Boonville official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 12-18
Text from Supplement 8 (December 2025), through Ordinance 4678 of December 16, 2024.
Last checked October 30, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.