An Open Container
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-21.1 — no unsealed alcohol in the passenger section while driving on a public highway
No person may drive on a public highway with any unsealed alcoholic beverage container in the passenger section of the vehicle.
| Violation | Fine | License |
|---|---|---|
| ViolationFirst | FineNot more than $200 | LicenseUp to six months |
| ViolationEach one after | FineNot more than $500 | LicenseUp to one year |
The driver of a rented limousine or bus is outside the section, so long as neither the driver nor any passenger under the age of twenty-one has an unsealed container. The traffic tribunal hears these cases.
A particular ticket is a question for a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-21.1 — Presence of alcoholic beverages while operating or riding in a motor vehicle
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Rhode Island attorney.