Open Container
Ala. Code § 32-5A-330 — no open alcohol in the passenger area, and a fine of no more than $25
No one has an alcoholic beverage in an open container, one no longer in the manufacturer's sealed condition, in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on a public highway or its right of way.
Who handles this in Alabama: Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Alabama directory.
- Passengers in a vehicle for hire or a bus with a commercially licensed driver, and in a camper or motor home, are not covered.
- A trunk, a luggage compartment or a truck bed is not the passenger area, nor is a locked case behind the front seat of a pickup with no trunk.
- A driver who does not know about the open container and cannot reach it is not covered.
- A vehicle parked or idle without the engine running is not covered, except on a highway's right of way.
Having an open container is a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of no more than $25, and no court costs are assessed. It is not a moving violation and puts no points on the license.
Sources for this section (1)
- Ala. Code § 32-5A-330 — Definitions; Applicability; Violations
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Alabama attorney.