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Legal Open Container States 2024

Legal Open Container States 2024

Is It Legal To Walk Around With an Open Container of Alcohol?

There are a lot of people who enjoy drinking socially, particularly when they are hanging out with their friends and family members. Typically, it must be consumed on private property or in a restaurant with a valid license. Generally, it is illegal to walk around town with an open container of alcohol. Even though some try to conceal it, it can lead to a drinking ticket, which can ruin your day. It is important to look at the local area's regulations before deciding to walk around with an open container of alcohol. There are several locations where it is legal.

What States Have No Open Container Laws?

When driving a vehicle, all states and the District of Columbia do not allow the driver to have an open container. However, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Mississippi, Missouri, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Virginia all allow passengers to have an open container of alcohol.

Mississippi is the only state that has no penalty for having an open container. In all other states, the penalties can range from fines risible j ail time, to suspension of one’s driver’s license if the infraction happened while in a vehicle.

Can Cities Have Open Container Laws?

Some cities have laws against having an open container. Therefore, even if the state does not have an open container law, it is important to look closely at local regulations to see if the city prevents people from walking around with an open container. If you have questions about whether the city has an open container law, you should walk into a restaurant and talk to the bartender. They will be able to tell you if there is a law against it in the city.

What Cities Are Good Places To Walk Around With an Open Container?

People commonly like to walk around in several cities in open containers. One of the most common examples is Las Vegas. Las Vegas is one of the country’s biggest entertainment capitals, and many people enjoy walking around with a cocktail or a beer on a Friday night as they take in the lights. Some people even line up on the streets to sell alcohol.

New Orleans is another fun place to walk around with an open container. Many festivals in New Orleans take place throughout the year, and one of the biggest examples is Mardi Gras. New Orleans has one of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations in the world, and it is a common sight to see people walking around with an open container.

Many people also like to walk around Savannah, Georgia with an open container. Savannah is a beautiful city with a lot of history, and many people like to relax and watch the waves roll in on the beach.

Legal Open Container States 2024

51 Rows

State
Can Passengers Consume Alcohol?
Penalty
Notes
AlabamaNoFine
AlaskaYesFine
ArizonaNoFine and possible jail time
ArkansasNoFine and possible jail time
Consumption prohibited, but possession of open containers is allowed.
CaliforniaNoFine
ColoradoNoFine
ConnecticutYesFine and possible jail time
DelawareYesFine
District of ColumbiaNoFine and possible jail time
FloridaNoFine
GeorgiaNoFine
HawaiiNoFine and possible jail time
IdahoNoFine and possible jail time
IllinoisNoLicense suspension
IndianaNoFine
IowaNoFine
KansasNoFine and possible jail time
KentuckyNoFine and possible jail time
LouisianaNoFine
MaineNoFine
MarylandNoFine
MassachusettsNoFine
MichiganNoFine and possible jail time, license points
MinnesotaNoFine and possible jail time
MississippiYesN/A
MissouriYesFine
MontanaNoFine
NebraskaNoFine
NevadaNoFine and possible jail time
New HampshireNoFine and license suspension
New JerseyNoFine and possible community service
New MexicoNoFine and possible jail time, license suspension
New YorkNoFine
North CarolinaNoFine and possible jail time
North DakotaNoFine
OhioNoFine and possible jail time
OklahomaNoFine and possible jail time
OregonNoFine
PennsylvaniaNoFine and possible jail time
Rhode IslandYesFine and possible license suspension
South CarolinaNoFine and possible jail time
South DakotaNoFine and possible jail time
TennesseeYesFine
TexasNoFine
UtahNoFine and possible jail time
VermontNoFine
VirginiaYesFine and possible jail time
Open containers held by passengers can create a rebuttable presumption the driver was drinking.
WashingtonNoFine
West VirginiaNoFine and possible jail time
Consumption prohibited, but possession of open containers is allowed.
WisconsinNoFine
WyomingNoFine and possible jail time

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