It is legal to drink alcohol in a car in the state of California as long as the person drinking is of legal age and not the driver. There are no open container laws in California that prohibit a passenger from consuming alcohol in a vehicle. However it is important to note that while drinking alcohol in a car is not illegal it can still be dangerous.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “open containers” of alcohol should not be within reach of the driver or any of the passengers. This means that the driver should not have easy access to the alcohol and that passengers should not be able to pass the alcohol to the driver. If a police officer pulls over a driver and sees an open container of alcohol in the car the driver can be cited for violating California’s open container law.
While drinking alcohol in a car is not illegal it is important to be aware of the potential risks. Drinking alcohol can impair a person’s judgment coordination and reaction time. This can make it difficult for a driver to operate a vehicle safely. If you are going to drink alcohol in a car it is important to have a designated driver who will not be drinking.
For more information on drinking and driving in California you can visit the California Department of Motor Vehicles website.
Can passengers drink alcohol in a car in California?
No it is illegal for passengers to drink alcohol in a car in California.
Can the driver drink alcohol in a car in California?
No it is illegal for the driver to drink alcohol in a car in California.
Can you have an open container of alcohol in the car in California?
No it is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in the car in California.
Where can you keep alcohol in the car in California?
Alcohol must be kept in the trunk of the car or in a locked glove compartment in California.
What are the penalties for having an open container of alcohol in the car in California?
Penalties for having an open container of alcohol in the car in California can include a fine of up to $1000 and up to six months in jail.
Can you drink alcohol in a car if the car is not moving in California?
No it is illegal to drink alcohol in a car even if the car is not moving in California.
Can you drink alcohol in a car if the car is parked in California?
No it is illegal to drink alcohol in a car even if the car is parked in California.
Can you drink alcohol in a car if the car is on private property in California?
No it is illegal to drink alcohol in a car even if the car is on private property in California.
What are the penalties for drinking alcohol in a car in California?
Penalties for drinking alcohol in a car in California can include a fine of up to $1000 and up to six months in jail.
Can you drink alcohol in a car if you are not the driver in California?
No it is illegal to drink alcohol in a car even if you are not the driver in California.
Can you drink alcohol in a car if the driver is not drinking in California?
No it is illegal to drink alcohol in a car even if the driver is not drinking in California.
Is it legal to have an open container of alcohol in the car in California?
No it is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in the car in California.
What happens if you are caught with an open container of alcohol in the car in California?
If you are caught with an open container of alcohol in the car in California you may be fined up to $1000 and may be sentenced to up to six months in jail.
Where can you keep alcohol in the car in California if you are not the driver?
Alcohol must be kept in the trunk of the car or in a locked glove compartment in California if you are not the driver.
What are the penalties for drinking alcohol in a car in California if you are not the driver?
Penalties for drinking alcohol in a car in California if you are not the driver can include a fine of up to $1000 and up to six months in jail.
