Wanderlust World Wanderlust World In Texas, it is illegal for a passenger in a vehicle to possess an open container of alcohol. This includes any alcoholic beverage, regardless of its alcohol content. If a passenger is caught with an open container of alcohol, they could face a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail.
Additional penalties may also apply if the passenger is under the age of 21.
*In addition, drivers who transport passengers with open containers of alcohol can also be punished. If a police officer observes a driver transporting passengers with open containers of alcohol, the driver may be pulled over and ticketed. The driver could face fines of up to $1,000, have their driver's license suspended, and even be required to serve jail time.*
To avoid these penalties, it is important for passengers to keep all alcohol containers closed while in a vehicle. If you are transporting alcohol in a vehicle, it is important to store it in a closed container, such as a trunk or glove compartment.