California Car / Permit practice question · Alcohol & Drugs
In California, it is illegal to have an open container of alcohol:
Answer choices
- Only if the driver is drinking from it
- In the passenger area of the vehicle— Correct answer
- Only for drivers under 21
- Only after 10 p.m.
Why this is the answer
It is illegal to keep an open container of alcohol where passengers sit, and that includes the glove box. A sealed, unopened container is fine. If a container is open, it must go in the trunk or somewhere passengers do not sit. It does not matter whether the driver is drinking from it.
Source: California Driver Handbook — Open Container Law
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
More Alcohol & Drugs questions
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- If you refuse a lawfully requested chemical test after being arrested for DUI, DMV will:
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