Code of Alabama

Ala. Code § 32-5A-330 (2026)

Definitions; Applicability; Violations.

✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026

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(a) As used in this section, the following terms are defined:

(1) OPEN CONTAINER. A container which is other than in the manufacturer’s sealed condition.

(2) PUBLIC HIGHWAY or RIGHT-OF-WAY OF A PUBLIC HIGHWAY. The entire width between and immediately adjacent to the boundary lines of any public road, street, highway, interstate, or other publicly maintained way when any part is open to the use of the public for purposes of motor vehicle travel.

(b) It is unlawful for a person to have in his or her possession alcoholic beverages in an open container in the passenger area of a motor vehicle of any kind on a public highway or right-of-way of a public highway of this state.

(1) A passenger of a motor vehicle designed, maintained, or primarily used for the transportation of persons for compensation and the driver holds a valid commercial driver’s license.

(2) A passenger of a bus for which the driver holds a valid commercial driver’s license.

(3) A passenger of a motorized or non-motorized self-contained camper, motor home, house coach, or house trailer.

(4) A motor vehicle trunk, storage, or luggage compartment or a truck bed, storage, or cargo compartment.

(5) A locked case placed in an area that is not readily accessible behind the front seat of a pickup truck which has no trunk or separate enclosed area other than the cab of the truck.

(6) A driver who does not have knowledge of and cannot access alcoholic beverages in an open container in the passenger area of the vehicle.

(7) A motor vehicle which is parked or idle and does not have the engine running. This does not apply to the right-of-way of a public highway.

(d) This section shall not be construed to prohibit the transporting of alcoholic beverages in closed containers.

(e) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars ($25), and court costs shall not be assessed.

(f) The penalties provided for violation of this section shall not constitute a moving violation and shall not have any effect on the driver’s license points.

(Act 2000-670, p. 1336, §1.)

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 2005–2015 · leading case: Strickland v. City of Dothan, AL, 399 F. Supp. 2d 1275 (M.D. Ala. 2005).

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Strickland v. City of Dothan, AL, 399 F. Supp. 2d 1275 (M.D. Ala. 2005). “14 Summers then arrested Strickland for driving under the influence of alcohol (“DUI”), 1975 Alabama Code § 32-5A-191(a)(2), and issued citations for DUI as well as for driving without headlights, 1975 Alabama Code § 32-1-4, and for an ‘open container’ violation, 1975 Alabama…”

Hubbert v. City of Hamilton, 197 So. 3d 538 (Ala. Crim. App. 2015). · cites it 3× “Code 1975, and possessing an open container of alcohol while driving on a public roadway, see § 32-5A-330, Ala. Code 1975. Hubbert appealed his conviction to the Marion Circuit Court and requested a bench trial.”

Adams v. State, 907 So. 2d 1079 (Ala. Crim. App. 2005). “Section 32-5A-330(e), Ala.Code 1975, the “Open Container Law," provides that "[a] person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars ($25), and court costs shall not be…”

— Ala. Code § 32-5A-330(e) — 1 case

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