What are the laws about having your kids has passengers in a semi truck on short hauls?

There are no federal laws in the United States that specifically address the transportation of children as passengers in semi trucks on short hauls. However, some states have their own laws and regulations regarding this issue. For example, California requires that children under the age of 12 must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat when riding in a motor vehicle, including a semi truck. Other states may have similar laws, so it's important to check the laws in your state before transporting children in a semi truck.

In addition to state laws, there are also federal regulations that apply to the transportation of children in commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), which include semi trucks. These regulations are administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA regulations require that drivers of CMVs must ensure that all children under the age of 16 are properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat when riding in the CMV. The regulations also require that drivers of CMVs must not transport children under the age of 8 in the sleeper berth of a CMV.

It's important to note that these are just general guidelines, and the specific laws and regulations regarding the transportation of children in semi trucks may vary from state to state. Therefore, it's always best to check the laws in your state before transporting children in a semi truck.