Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Utah Code Title 41. Motor Vehicles § 41-6a-526. Drinking alcoholic beverage and open containers in motor vehicle prohibited--Definitions--Exceptions

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Alcoholic beverage” has the same meaning as defined in Section 32B-1-102.

(b) “Chartered bus” has the same meaning as defined in Section 32B-1-102.

(c) “Limousine” has the same meaning as defined in Section 32B-1-102.

(d)(i) “Passenger compartment” means the area of the vehicle normally occupied by the operator and passengers.

(ii) “Passenger compartment” includes areas accessible to the operator and passengers while traveling, including a utility or glove compartment.

(iii) “Passenger compartment” does not include a separate front or rear trunk compartment or other area of the vehicle not accessible to the operator or passengers while inside the vehicle.

(e) “Waters of the state” has the same meaning as defined in Section 73-18-2.

(2) A person may not drink an alcoholic beverage while operating a golf cart, a motor vehicle, a motor assisted scooter, or a class 2 electric assisted bicycle, or while a passenger in a motor vehicle, whether the vehicle is moving, stopped, or parked on any highway or waters of the state.

(3) A person may not keep, carry, possess, transport, or allow another to keep, carry, possess, or transport in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, on a golf cart, on a motor assisted scooter, or on a class 2 electric assisted bicycle, when the vehicle is on any highway or waters of the state, any container that contains an alcoholic beverage if the container has been opened, its seal broken, or the contents of the container partially consumed.

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to a passenger:

(a) in the living quarters of a motor home or camper;

(b) who has carried an alcoholic beverage onto a limousine or chartered bus that is in compliance with Subsections 32B-4-415(4)(b) and (c); or

(c) in a motorboat on the waters of the state.

(5) Subsection (3) does not apply to passengers traveling in any licensed taxicab or bus.

(6) A violation of Subsection (2) or (3) is a class C misdemeanor.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Utah Code Title 41. Motor Vehicles § 41-6a-526. Drinking alcoholic beverage and open containers in motor vehicle prohibited--Definitions--Exceptions - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ut/title-41-motor-vehicles/ut-code-sect-41-6a-526/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard