Need Help With Your Traffic Ticket?

Get your FREE attorney consultation from Rosenblum Law.
888-883-5529
Call now for a free consultation
Home » New York » Criminal Charges » New York Open Container Law - NYS VTL 1227-1

New York Open Container Law - NYS VTL 1227-1

Trusted Content

Editorial Standards

Rosenblum Law is committed to delivering informative content of the highest quality. All content is subject to our rigorous editorial standards for relevance, accuracy, sourcing, and objectivity. Everything is fact-checked by an editor and reviewed for legal soundness by one of our practicing attorneys prior to being published.

Read our full editorial policy here

Written By 
Last updated 
December 7, 2022

Last Updated: 12/28/18 | Reviewed By: Adam H. Rosenblum Esq.

Throughout New York State, it is illegal to drink from or having an open container of alcohol in public. A similar statewide provision applies to drivers and passengers in vehicles on public roadways. Under VTL 1227-1, anyone caught with an open container of alcohol in a car can be ticketed and face numerous consequences, including jail time.

What Are the Penalties for NY’s Open Container Law?

Fine: Drivers convicted of violating NY’s open container law face a maximum fine of $150 for a first offense. A second offense in 18 months carries a fine of up to $300 while a third offense can mean a fine of up to $450.  

Surcharge: New York State adds a mandatory surcharge of $88 or $93 to every traffic violation. This is addition to the fine and any other fees.

Auto insurance increase: Any traffic ticket has the potential to impact a driver’s auto insurance rates. There are no studies specific to the insurance impact of New York’s open container law. However, it is common for tickets to cause anywhere between a 5% to 20% increase, depending on the risks the insurance company associates with the ticket.

Crime victim assistance fee: New York also requires anyone convicted of VTL 1227-1 to pay a crime victim assistance fee (P.L.§60.35(1)(a)(i)-iii)) of $20.

Points: There are 0 points assessed for violating VTL 1227-1.

Jail time: While no points are assessed for having open containers of alcohol, it is possible for a judge to impose a jail sentence of up to 15 days for violating the statute.

Sobriety check: In addition to getting a ticket, having an open container of alcohol is grounds for police to conduct a sobriety check to determine if the driver has been drinking. While a fully sober individual has nothing to worry about, blowing even a 0.02 on a breathalyzer can result in a charge of driving while ability impaired (DWAI).

What Is New York’s Open Container Law?

Almost all throughout the United States, open container laws exist to prohibit drinking alcoholic beverages in public places such as public parks or streets and semi-private areas such as automobiles. Each open container law is enforced and regulated by each individual state, however the federal government pushed each to state to legislate on the issue by passing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (or TEA-21).

TEA-21 outlines the suggestions that each state should adopt with respect to open container laws and it is incentivized with federal grant money. States that adopt the guidelines are granted federal funds for state roadways. As such, 39 states have adopted the terms of the Act and implement their own open container laws.

New York is one of the 39 states that have its own open container law. In New York, the open container laws prohibit consuming or possessing open alcoholic containers in public areas and any open alcohol containers in the passenger area or inside an unlocked glove box or armrest where it can easily be reached by anyone sitting inside the vehicle. The law includes all alcoholic beverages within any type of container. It should be noted that the law applies whether the vehicle is actually being driven or is parked outside.

How an Open Container Can Lead to a DWI Charge in NY

NYC Admin Code § 10-125 states that possession of an open container containing an alcoholic beverage by any person shall create a rebuttable presumption that such person did intend to consume the contents thereof in violation of this section. Think of it this way, if a police officer finds an open bottle either on a person in public or in his/her vehicle while he/she was driving, the officer most likely will conclude that the driver was drinking and further investigate the matter. As such, open container violations in New York are considered by many as a gateway offense that can lead to other violations or crimes. This means if driver has consumed any of the alcohol at all, it is possible to be charged with DWI—even if the vehicle was not in motion!

Defenses to NY Open Container Law Tickets

The exact defense will depend heavily on the circumstances of each case. Aside from not carrying open containers of alcohol in the passenger area of the car, the best thing to do is to say as little as possible when the officer issues the ticket. Any accidental admissions can be used to convict the accused in court.

Common Questions About Open Container Law Tickets in New York

  • What if the containers are empty?

    If the containers are completely empty and dry, it is possible to argue that the driver did not violate the statute. However, even a person planning to take empty beer cans or bottles to be recycled shoIf the containers are completely empty and dry, it is possible to argue that the driver did not violate the statute. However, even a person planning to take empty beer cans or bottles to be recycled should keep them in the trunk to avoid any issues with police.

  • Is it illegal to drink alcohol in a limousine?

    Limousine and bus companies can apply for permits to allow passengers to consume alcohol in the vehicle.

  • Is it illegal to have a container of alcohol that is not opened yet?

    A person who buys alcohol from the store can have the container in the passenger area provided the seal has not been broken for consumption. Still, it is always safer to transport booze of any kind in the trunk to avoid having to explain things to the police.

  • Are there any exceptions to NY’s open container law?

    There are two exceptions:

    1. Drivers are permitted to carry wine if it is “resealed in accordance with the provisions of subdivision four of section eighty-one of the alcoholic beverage control law.”
    2. If the containers are transported in the vehicle’s trunk or, if the vehicle does not have a trunk, behind the last upright seat or any other area not normally occupied by the driver.
  • Can I be ticketed for VTL 1227-1 if I am parked in my driveway?

    No. A driveway is considered a private space.

  • Can I be ticketed for VTL 1227-1 if I am in a store parking lot?

    Yes. A store parking lot is considered public space. Even if the car is parked, having open containers of alcohol anywhere other than the trunk violates the statute.

  • Can I be ticketed for VTL 1227-1 if I am parked on the side of the road?

    Yes. The side of the road is considered public space.

Author Bio

Adam H. Rosenblum

Founding Attorney Of Rosenblum Law

Adam H. Rosenblum is an experienced and skilled traffic violations and criminal defense attorney. Mr. Rosenblum provides expert and aggressive representation to those facing points on their drivers’ licenses and the associated fines and surcharges.

Read Full Bio

Free Consultation

Call us now for a quick, free, and no obligation consultation.
888-883-5529

Featured Experts

Kent Ng

NYPD (Ret.)
Read More

Mike Gheller

NYPD Officer
Read More

Travis Hall

NY State Police
Read More

News & Updates

Learn more about traffic tickets and criminal matters in New York and New Jersey.
When I Let a Driver Off With a Warning and Why

Every driver who gets pulled over hopes to avoid getting a traffic ticket. As police officers, we understand there is...

Learn More
NY DWI Crackdown in Effect Through Labor Day Weekend

Drivers looking to kick back and enjoy some beers this Labor Day weekend should be careful before getting behind the...

Learn More
What NOT to Do When Pulled Over by Police

Nearly everyone is pulled over by police at some point in their life. The flashing red-and-blue lights are hardwired into...

Learn More

We've Fought Over 50,000 Traffic Ticket Cases

Call us now for a quick, free, and no-obligation consultation.
888-883-5529
crosschevron-down Free Consult Call Now linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram