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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 Vermont, open container laws prohibit the possession of any open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on a public highway. This applies to both drivers and passengers. Vermont's open container laws are outlined in 23 V.S.A. § 1252, which makes it illegal to consume alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle on a public highway. Violation of this law is considered a traffic violation, which is typically less severe than a misdemeanor. Penalties for an open container violation in Vermont may include fines but do not involve jail time or driver's license suspension. It's important to note that Vermont's laws may differ from other states, where penalties could be more severe and might include misdemeanors, license suspension, or even jail time.

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Criminal charges

open container

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Criminal charges

open container

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