I hope this helps?
In Texas:
As of Sept. 1, 2001, it is illegal to possess an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. House Bill 5, passed by the 77th Texas Legislature, makes it a Class C misdemeanor to possess an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle which is on a public highway or the right-of-way adjacent to a public highway.
Under the new law, an open container is a bottle, can, or other receptacle that contains any amount of alcoholic beverage and that has been opened, that has a broken seal, or the contents of which are partially removed.
The passenger area is the area of a motor vehicle designed for the seating of the operator and passengers. It does not include a locked glove compartment or a similar storage container that is locked, the trunk of a vehicle, or the area behind the last upright seat of the vehicle if the vehicle does not have a trunk.
A public highway includes any public road, street, highway, interstate, or other publicly-maintained way if any part is open for public use for the purpose of motor vehicle travel.
The motor vehicle does not have to be moving for a violation to occur.
Under the law, a person commits an open container offense by possessing an open container in the passenger area of a motor vehicle regardless of whether the vehicle is being operated or is stopped or parked. There is an exception for people who are passengers in a bus, taxi, or limousine; or who are in the living quarters of a motorized house coach or motorized house trailer, including a self-contained camper, motor home, or recreational vehicle.
Now for my Public Service Announcement...
In the majority of alcohol-related crashes, an open container is always present. Please remember alcohol and cars dont mix.
http://www.texasdwi.org/
http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/DO...es/Associated Files/MobilizationCrackdown.pdf
**********ALWAYS REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY**********