Can a passenger drink in a car in Indiana?
Asked by: Carey Strosin | Last update: December 27, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (46 votes)
Are Vehicle Passengers Allowed to Have an Open Container? Passengers are allowed to be under the influence of alcohol in a moving car, but they are prohibited from having an open container in their possession.
What is the new alcohol law in Indiana?
Indiana is now the 25th state to pass a permanent cocktails-to-go law. The bill will be effective on July 1, 2024.
Can passengers drink alcohol in a car in DE?
However, the state of Delaware does not have an open alcohol container law. Passengers who have reached the age of 21 years old are permitted to consume alcohol in a moving motor vehicle according to state of Delaware law.
What states allow open containers in cars?
Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Mississippi, Missouri, Virginia, and West Virginia allow open alcohol containers in vehicles. Of these, Mississippi is the only state that allows the driver to drink – in the others, only passengers may drink.
What is the open container law in Indiana?
Indiana's open container law, explicitly prohibits anyone operating a motor vehicle, including boats, cars, trucks, and 18-wheelers, from having an open container of alcohol within reach of the driver. However, this law does not apply to individuals traveling in motor homes.
Can Uber/Lyft passengers drink alcohol in the car?
Can passengers in a car drink alcohol?
Drinking in a parked car in California is generally prohibited and can still result in legal consequences. According to California Vehicle Code 23220 and 23221, it indicates that a driver and a passenger cannot consume alcohol or smoke/ingest marijuana or any marijuana product while in a vehicle.
Can passengers drink alcohol in a car in Tennessee?
Tennessee law prohibits the consumption or possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage while operating a motor vehicle. Although some Tennessee municipal ordinances may be more restrictive, the Tennessee State Code accordingly does not prohibit passengers from consuming or possessing alcohol beverages.
Can passengers drink alcohol in a car in Virginia?
Virginia is somewhat unique in that it's one of only seven states that doesn't expressly prohibit passengers from having open containers of alcohol in a moving vehicle.
Can passengers drink alcohol in a car in CT?
Connecticut has unique laws regarding open containers in motor vehicles. 40 states totally ban the presence of any open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. In Connecticut, drivers may not drink alcohol while operating a motor vehicle, but the passengers, over the age of 21, can drink alcohol in a motor vehicle.
What is the drinking driving law in Indiana?
Legal Limits
This is why most states—including Indiana—measure a person's blood-alcohol concentration, or BAC, to determine the severity of inebriation. In Indiana, as in the rest of the nation, if you have a BAC of 0.08%, you are not permitted to drive.
Can an 18 year old drink alcohol with a parent in Indiana?
The legal drinking age in Indiana is 21. Anyone younger than that can be charged with a crime for drinking, holding, or even being in the same car as alcohol. If you're 21 or older, you can also be charged with a crime for selling, buying, or giving alcohol to a minor.
What is the happy hour law in Indiana?
Under the new law, bars can offer specials four hours a day, 15 hours a week, except between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Also, there are no two-for-one or bottomless drink specials. Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association has been working closely with businesses to make sure owners know all the guidelines.
Can passengers drink alcohol in a car in VT?
Subchapter 011 : MISCELLANEOUS RULES
(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a passenger in a motor vehicle shall not consume an alcoholic beverage or cannabis in the passenger area of any motor vehicle on a public highway.
Can you get in trouble for being in the car with a drink driver?
While you cannot be charged with DUI if you were a passenger, there are several charges you could face related to a DUI stop. For example, if the police find you in possession of an open container of alcohol, you could be cited under California Vehicle Code Sections 23221 and 23222(a).
Can passengers drink alcohol in a car in Massachusetts?
It is a violation of civil law in Massachusetts to have an open container in the passenger area of a motor vehicle that is on a public road, in a public area or in a place to which the public has access.
Is it legal to have a flask in your car?
Having a flask in your possession while driving violates open container laws. Depending on your state, you may be able to carry one as a passenger in a vehicle, but in California, this is illegal as well.
Can passengers drink alcohol in a car in North Carolina?
An open container of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited in the passenger area of any motor vehicle (commercial or non-commercial) located on the highway or highway right of way - even if the vehicle is parked except as listed below.
Which states can you drink as a passenger?
Currently, 39 states and the District of Columbia are in full compliance with federal government guidelines. However, passengers may either possess open containers or consume alcohol in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Missouri, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Can passengers drink in Kentucky?
It is also illegal to drink an alcoholic beverage in a public place, or in or upon any passenger coach, or other vehicle commonly used for the transportation of passengers, or in or about any depot, platform, or waiting room.
Can passengers drink alcohol in a car in Florida?
Passengers should refrain from consuming alcohol while in the vehicle, as prohibited under Florida law. Understanding how these laws apply can help you navigate your travels without legal pitfalls.
Can a passenger drink in a car in Illinois?
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) and in Sections 6-6.5 and 6-33 of the Liquor Control Act of 1934, no passenger may carry, possess or have any alcoholic liquor within any passenger area of any motor vehicle upon a highway in this State except in the original container and with the seal unbroken.
Can a passenger drink in Alabama?
Alabama law prohibits people from possessing open containers of alcohol in a vehicle's passenger area. Violating the state's open container law is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a $25 fine.
Can passengers drink alcohol in Missouri?
Missouri's law allows anyone who is 21 or older and a passenger in a vehicle to possess open containers of alcohol. Drivers are still not allowed to drink and drive or possess open containers. Since 2000, the state of Missouri has been paying fines as a result of its decision to allow passengers to drink in vehicles.
Can passengers drink in Mississippi?
(a) It is unlawful for a person to possess an open alcoholic beverage container within an area of a motor vehicle if the area of the motor vehicle is: (1) Designated to seat the driver or a passenger in the motor vehicle; or (2) Readily accessible to the driver or a passenger in the motor vehicle while in a seated ...