A YOUNG man on a road trip with two mates has been forced to get out and complete his journey by train after police caught him riding in the boot of the car.

Police caught up with the three 18-year-old men at a roadhouse en route to Wagga Wagga about 9.40am (AEST) yesterday morning after receiving a complaint that one of them was travelling in the car boot.

After speaking with the youths, police learned one of them was riding in the boot because the driver was a red P-plate driver and didn't want to be penalised for carrying more than one passenger.

The youth in the boot is expected to be charged with not wearing a seatbelt and travelling in an area not designated for a passenger.

The driver and one passenger continued on to Wagga Wagga.

The third followed on a train.

Originally published as Roadtripping youth booted out of car