---
kind: "section"
citation: "36 C.F.R. § 4.14"
title: "36"
number: "4.14"
heading: "Open container of alcoholic beverage."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/36/4.14"
---

# §4.14. Open container of alcoholic beverage.

- (a) Each person within a motor vehicle is responsible for complying with the provisions of this section that pertain to carrying an open container. The operator of a motor vehicle is the person responsible for complying with the provisions of this section that pertain to the storage of an open container.
- (b) Carrying or storing a bottle, can or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage that is open, or has been opened, or whose seal is broken or the contents of which have been partially removed, within a motor vehicle in a park area is prohibited.
- (c) **This section does not apply to—**
  - (1) An open container stored in the trunk of a motor vehicle or, if a motor vehicle is not equipped with a trunk, to an open container stored in some other portion of the motor vehicle designed for the storage of luggage and not normally occupied by or readily accessible to the operator or passengers; or
  - (2) An open container stored in the living quarters of a motor home or camper; or
  - (3) Unless otherwise prohibited, an open container carried or stored in a motor vehicle parked at an authorized campsite where the motor vehicle's occupant(s) are camping.
- (d) For the purpose of [paragraph (c)(1)](#c-1) of this section, a utility compartment or glove compartment is deemed to be readily accessible to the operator and passengers of a motor vehicle.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 54 U.S.C. 100101, 100751, 320102.

### Source

Source: 52 FR 10683, Apr. 2, 1987, unless otherwise noted.