What is the penalty for riding in the trunk?
4 Answers
Riding in the trunk is considered illegal overloading. For driving a commercial passenger vehicle (excluding buses) or school bus with passengers exceeding the approved capacity by less than 20%, or driving other passenger vehicles with passengers exceeding the approved capacity by more than 20%, 6 demerit points will be recorded; for driving passenger vehicles other than commercial passenger vehicles (excluding buses) or school buses with passengers exceeding the approved capacity by less than 20%, 3 demerit points will be recorded. The following are the reasons why riding in the trunk is prohibited: 1. The trunk is only allowed for storing luggage, and it is extremely unsafe for people to stay inside. Due to poor air circulation in the trunk, there is a high risk of suffocation and other dangerous situations. Additionally, since the trunk is located at the rear of the vehicle, in the event of a rear-end collision, people inside the trunk are highly vulnerable to injury, making it even more dangerous. 2. It is strictly prohibited to carry passengers in the trunk. Drivers should ensure safe travel and strictly prevent accidents.
As a veteran driver with thirty years of experience, I saw someone asking about riding in the trunk and wanted to share my thoughts. Riding in the trunk is extremely dangerous—it's never designed as a seating area in car engineering. In cases of sudden braking or a rollover, people can be thrown out or suffocate to death, which is literally playing with lives. In China, the Road Traffic Safety Law categorizes this as overloading or illegal passenger transport. If caught, police will issue a ticket, typically fining 200 yuan plus deducting 2 points from the driver's license. In severe cases, such as causing an accident, the vehicle may be impounded or the driver detained. When I taught at driving schools, I always emphasized that riding in the trunk is irresponsible to oneself and others—airbags and seatbelts are designed for the cabin, while the trunk is cramped and poorly ventilated, posing higher risks in extreme weather. My advice: always ensure everyone sits in the back or passenger seat with seatbelts fastened. If friends joke about lying in the trunk for a ride, firmly refuse and suggest they take a taxi instead.
I personally learned this lesson the hard way last year when I helped a relative move. Thinking it would only take a few minutes, I let a child ride in the trunk for convenience. I was immediately pulled over by traffic police, fined 150 yuan, and had 1 point deducted from my license. The worst part was finding out afterward that the child almost passed out from lack of air. As a car owner, I still feel scared thinking about it now—the trunk is not a place for passengers. It has no seat belts and poor ventilation; the slightest mistake could lead to disaster. The traffic police explained that according to regulations, this is a traffic violation, typically punishable by a fine of 100-200 yuan and 1-3 points deducted, depending on the severity of the offense. To me, it's not about the money but about moral responsibility—if something had happened, I, as the owner, would have been held accountable. Now, I always check before driving to ensure everyone is seated properly in the car. I advise all car owners to make it a habit: use the trunk only for luggage, prioritize safety first, and never trade temporary convenience for lifelong regret.
Speaking as a young parent, never let anyone ride in the trunk. I've seen videos on social media where people show off playing in the trunk, thinking it looks cool, but just the thought of it makes me worry about the child's safety. The trunk is an enclosed space, and a child squeezed in there could easily suffer from lack of oxygen or bumps. If the car starts moving, the risks are even greater. If caught by the police, it would be punished according to traffic rules, such as a fine of around 150 yuan and points deducted, but more importantly, it poses a serious health threat. Parents should educate their children on the correct way to ride in a car and insist that everyone buckles up in their seats when using the car. Accidents can happen at any time, and protecting children is no joke. From my experience, spending a little more time arranging seats is always better than regretting it later.
