Is Riding in the Trunk Illegal in Pennsylvania? Yes—And Dangerous

Yes. Riding in the trunk of a car in Pennsylvania is explicitly illegal under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3718(b) of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.

The Law

"No person shall ride or drive upon any vehicle without the consent of the driver, nor shall any person ride in any space which is not designed or intended for carrying passengers and which is not partitioned off from the driver."

What This Means

• Trunk = not a passenger space. No seats, no seatbelts, no crash protection, no airbags, no escape hatch.
• Applies to all vehicles: Sedans, SUVs (cargo area behind 3rd row if no seats), hatchbacks (cargo area), truck beds (separate statute: § 3718.1 — also illegal for passengers <18, restricted for adults).
• Driver responsibility: The driver can be cited for allowing a passenger in the trunk.

Penalties

• Summary offense: Fine $25–$100 + court costs (~$150+ total)
• If crash occurs: Criminal charges possible — reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, homicide by vehicle
• Insurance: Claim denied for trunk passenger injuries; driver policy may be cancelled

Why It's Lethal

• Crush zone: Trunk is the rear crumple zone — rear-end collision = catastrophic injury/death
• Carbon monoxide: Exhaust seeps in — odorless, fatal in minutes
• No egress: Fire, submersion, rollover = trapped
• Projectile: In crash, unrestrained body becomes 2,000+ lb force at 30 mph

Exceptions (Extremely Narrow)

• Parades: Permitted with PennDOT permit, speed <15 mph, safety plan
• Emergency: Life-threatening situation, no alternative — defense, not permission

Related: Truck Beds

75 Pa.C.S. § 3718.1 prohibits passengers <18 in open truck beds. Adults allowed only if seated on floor, tailgate closed, no highway driving. Still dangerous.

Bottom line: Never ride in a trunk. It's illegal, uninsurable, and potentially fatal. Call a rideshare, wait for the next car, or take two vehicles.