Passengers are allowed to drink in Tennessee cars as long as they are of legal drinking age. The law applies to drivers and passengers when the car is turned on and standing. A violation of Tennessee`s Open Containers Act is a Class C offense. Sure, if you`re above the legal limit, you`ll still get a quote for driving under the influence (as in any other part of the country), but a new report released by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety notes that only 39 states and Washington, D.C., have open container laws. Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wyoming do not have open container laws that meet federal requirements. FIX: In an earlier version of this article, Arizona and Massachusetts were wrongly listed among the states without open container law. An older title also incorrectly stated that the 11 states without typical open container laws allow people to drink legally in their cars. Some of these states have not passed their own laws for open containers, and some of them have passed laws that deviate to varying degrees from the requirements prescribed by the federal government. Created by FindLaw`s team of legal writers and writers | Last updated 25 October 2018 In England and Wales, it is legal for people over the age of 18 to drink in public places, with the exception of areas where there is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). A PSPO is a local law that can be introduced by a council or other local authority to prohibit the consumption of alcohol in certain public places or to limit the hours when alcohol consumption is allowed.
In Tennessee, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess or consume alcohol. There are a few limited exceptions to this rule, such as when alcohol is consumed in the presence of a parent or guardian, or when it is consumed for educational purposes. §35-1-9.1: Illegal for persons who occupy a motor vehicle on a public highway or the right-of-way of a public highway in order to consume alcoholic beverages or to have a packaging or container containing an alcoholic beverage in the possession of that person, unless the seal of the original packaging does not remain broken or the alcoholic beverage is thus removed from the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, no occupant of the motor vehicle has access to it. Note: State laws can always change, usually by enacting new laws, but also by court orders and other means. Consult a lawyer or do your own legal research to review the state laws you`re looking for. Only in Mississippi is it legal to drive while drinking an alcoholic beverage, according to the aptly named website OpenContainerLaws.com. But the other 10 states without open container laws won`t stop you from driving with an open bottle of alcohol in your car`s cup holder until you consume the powerful drinking water while running the vehicle (though laws may vary from city to city). Vehicles and Traffic Act §1227: It is forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages or to possess an open container containing an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle located on public roads or highways.
Can passengers consume alcohol or have an open container in the vehicle? §8-1599: No one may transport an alcoholic beverage in a vehicle on a highway or road. §9-30-15-1ff.: A person in a motor vehicle who owns a container while driving the motor vehicle or while the motor vehicle is on the right-of-way of a public road: §49.031: A person commits a criminal offence if he knowingly possesses an open container in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle located on a public road, whether the vehicle is driven, stopped or parked. If you`ve been found with alcohol opened in your car and arrested for a DUI, you still have defense options available. Talking to an experienced DUI lawyer as soon as possible may be your best option. Call (310) 862-0199 to schedule your free consultation or contact newport Beach DUI`s attorney. (a) No person shall consume intoxicating alcohol while driving a motor vehicle or moped on a highway, highway or highway. (b) No person shall, when driving a motor vehicle or moped on a highway, highway or highway, possess a bottle, can or other container containing intoxicating alcohol, which has been opened or whose seal has been broken or the contents of which have been partially removed. § 53a-213: A person is guilty of drinking while driving a motor vehicle while drinking alcohol while driving a motor vehicle on a public highway When traveling to California from one of these states, it is important to note that you will face penalties if you do not respect the open container and do not drink in the Golden State`s vehicle laws. If you`re not sure what`s allowed, or if you have a question about a pending DUI in California, call us today at (310) 862-0199 to schedule your free consultation. California police officers look for signs of obvious alcohol if they suspect a DUI. Tracking down an open container or a passenger who drinks alcohol in addition to suspicious driving habits can result in arrest for drunk driving. After the arrest, you will have to undergo a breathalyzer test.
For underage drivers in the state, a blood alcohol level of 0.01 percent can result in drunk driving charges. Below is a country-specific guide to open container laws. You may want to talk to a lawyer to learn more about open liquor containers in a public place other than your car. Also keep in mind that despite state laws, some municipal ordinances or municipalities may have their own regulations for open containers. However, counties, cities or other municipalities may make their own decisions prohibiting passengers from consuming or possessing an alcoholic beverage or beer while the vehicle is in service. A violation of vehicle code 23222 is an offence that can result in a fine of up to $250. There are currently 11 dry counties in the state of Tennessee. These counties are Crockett County, Fentress County, Hancock County, Houston County, Lake County, Meigs County, Moore County, Stewart County, Unicoi County, Van Buren County, and Washington County. § 23220et seq: (a) No driver may drink alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle on a highway. (b) No passenger may drink alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle on a motorway. §189.530: A person is guilty of possession of an open container of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle if he or she has an open container of alcoholic beverages in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle on a public highway or on the right-of-way of a public highway. Ch.
90, § 24I: Any person who has an open container of alcoholic beverages in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle in any way or in a place to which the public has a right of access, or in any way or in a place to which members of the public have access as a guest or to which licence holders have access, is punished. §265-A:44: No driver may carry, carry, possess or have alcohol or beverages in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle in any manner whatsoever in that state.