Drinking in automobiles? (passengers)

[ski]

My friend rented a party bus - think a luxury shuttle - that has a kegerator in it, and the point of it is to drive a party around town stopping at different bars, clubs, sporting events, etc. and letting them drink while they ride.

You can drink in almost any limo I've been in too.

Is there some sort of license required for passengers to drink while riding in a car? (I googled "drinking passengers site:dot.gov" and only found studies of 15-20 year old drivers)

What I'm getting at is last year on a road trip from Palm Springs to Las Vegas, our driver and I stayed sober since we were in the front 2 seats, but the people in the backseat downed some beers along the way and I had always thought that was a no-no.

[Maarchk]

Umm in california, i'm pretty sure you can't have open containers in a vehicle...
But it might depend on your state. I can't see them renting you something if they know what it will be used for bad purposes.

[uncledaddy]

As far as I am aware drinking is only allowed on rented commercial vehicles with a hired commercially licensed driver, i.e. limos, limo buses, party vans. I believe these services have liquor licenses, not sure though. I do know that you are right about it being a no-no to have alcohol in the rear, It violates open container laws.

[zenbooty]

It varies from state to state. Some states ban all open containers outright, while others permit it when the driver is a hired commercial driver. Still others just require that there be some physical barrier between the driving space and wherever the alcohol is being taken, i.e. the backseat of a limo and many cabs, in the back living space of an RV, etc.

[ShawnLee]

I always understood it as having a commercial driver who wouldn't be drinking, but then I know nothing of the specifics.

[uncledaddy]

It varies from state to state. Some states ban all open containers outright, while others permit it when the driver is a hired commercial driver. Still others just require that there be some physical barrier between the driving space and wherever the alcohol is being taken, i.e. the backseat of a limo and many cabs, in the back living space of an RV, etc.

Hmm...forgot about the RV thing.

[BigJon]

Don't you also have to have a liquour license...like a bartender?

[ski]

I guess some of the drinking-in-RV's argument is that you can't really see into the back of them too well, so even if it was illegal, it'd be hard to spot.

[Jeffbx]

It varies from state to state. Some states ban all open containers outright, while others permit it when the driver is a hired commercial driver. Still others just require that there be some physical barrier between the driving space and wherever the alcohol is being taken, i.e. the backseat of a limo and many cabs, in the back living space of an RV, etc.

:stupid:

You'll have to check with your local DMV/SOS office to see what specific laws apply to your state.