Code of Federal Regulations Title 23. Highways § 23.1270.4 Compliance criteria

(1) The possession of any open alcoholic beverage container and the consumption of any alcoholic beverage;

(2) The passenger area of any motor vehicle;

(3) All alcoholic beverages;

(4) All occupants of a motor vehicle;  and

(5) All motor vehicles located on a public highway or the right-of-way of a public highway.

(1) If a State has in effect a law that makes unlawful the possession of any open alcoholic beverage container and the consumption of any alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of any motor vehicle, but permits the possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a locked container (such as a locked glove compartment), or, in a motor vehicle that is not equipped with a trunk, either behind the last upright seat or in an area not normally occupied by the driver or a passenger, the State will be deemed to have in effect a law that applies to the passenger area of any vehicle, as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(2) If a State has in effect a law that makes unlawful the possession of any open alcoholic beverage container and the consumption of any alcoholic beverage by the driver (but not by a passenger) in the passenger area of a motor vehicle designed, maintained, or used primarily for the transportation of persons for compensation, or in the living quarters of a house coach or house trailer, the State shall be deemed to have in effect a law that applies to all occupants of a motor vehicle with respect to such motor vehicles, as provided in paragraph (b)(4) of this section.