When can you transport people in the back of a pickup truck?

Transporting people in the back of a pickup truck is primarily governed by safety regulations, which aim to protect passengers from injuries in the event of an accident. When the back of a pickup truck has a roof, it typically suggests that there is more structural support and weather protection for passengers. This can help secure occupants better than in an open truck bed, potentially reducing the risk of falling out or being exposed to the elements during transportation.

Regulations may vary, but many jurisdictions either prohibit or severely restrict the transportation of people in an open truck bed. The presence of a roof can sometimes make it compliant with local laws that allow people to be transported safely. For this reason, having a roof may be seen as a requirement for transporting additional passengers in a truck bed, making this the correct response to the question.