Abstract: A latch for securing a ladder to a ladder rack mounted on a vehicle having a cross brace is formed by a latch body rigidly secured in depending relation to the cross brace. A sleeve pivotally mounted in the ladder latch body slidably receives the rod shaft portion of a J-shaped hook gripping a rung of the ladder when in a first position and releasing the ladder rung when pivoted to a second position. A lever and handle, pivotally supported by the latch body is pivotally connected with the rod shaft of the hook for manually positioning the hook in its first and second positions. The latch body receives the shackle of a lock for preventing unauthorized manual movement of the handle and releasing the rung of a ladder mounted on the rack.