Walk It Through: The Road Trip

Sixteen and older in every seat, no open container for anyone, and a license known to be suspended.

A teenage nephew and an adult friend climb into the back seat and leave their belts off.

Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.

One trip with a car full of friends. Child seat rules by age, buses chartered for hire, and driving with no license at all are not worked through here.

A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.

Words this turns on

Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.

Open containerAn open container of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle on a public highway, which no driver or passenger may have. A traffic infraction.
Traffic infractionA category of offense of its own, separate from violations and crimes.
Aggravated unlicensed operationDriving while knowing, or having reason to know, the license is suspended or revoked. In the third degree, a misdemeanor with a fine of $200 to $500, up to thirty days, or both.
Class A misdemeanorThe higher misdemeanor class, carrying up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.