In most states it is illegal to possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on a public roadway or on the shoulder of a public roadway. These open container laws vary from state to state and a few states allow a passenger to possess and consume an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.

Open container offenses are usually charged as a misdemeanor or as an infraction, and penalties may include a fine, driver’s license suspension, and jail time.

Open container laws are located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code, the transportation code, or the motor vehicle code.

In Connecticut, open container laws prohibit the possession of any open alcohol container in the passenger area of a vehicle on a public highway. According to Connecticut General Statutes Section 53a-213, it is an infraction to possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a motor vehicle that is on a public highway or on the shoulder of a public highway. The law applies to both drivers and passengers. The passenger area is defined as the area designed to seat the driver and passengers, including any area within reach of a seated passenger. Penalties for violating open container laws in Connecticut typically include fines. Unlike some states, Connecticut does not allow passengers to consume alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle. It's important to note that these laws can be strictly enforced, and the penalties may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the offense.