Open Container Laws in Wyoming
It’s against Wyoming state law to consume, transport, or possess any alcoholic beverage in a vehicle that’s in motion on a public street or highway.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
It’s against Wyoming state law to consume, transport, or possess any alcoholic beverage in a vehicle that’s in motion on a public street or highway. Violators of Wyoming’s open container law may be fined up to $200 for a first offense.
Open containers laws aren’t the same in every state—in fact, some states don’t even have them. This is why you should get to know how the open container law works in your home state—plus any state you’re visiting.
To guide you through the open container law is
car insurance
comparison and licensed broker extraordinaire Jerry
. Here, we’ll discuss how the law works in Wyoming, what exceptions exist, and the penalties for breaking it. (We'll even drop some tips for saving on your Wyoming car insurance costs
.)What is the open container law in Wyoming?
Section 31.5.235 of the Wyoming Statutes prohibits drivers and passengers of a moving motor vehicle to drink or possess an alcoholic beverage unless:
- The beverage is in its original, unopened container whose seal remains intact
- The beverage is located in the trunk, in the unoccupied back of a pickup truck, or secured in a compartment of the vehicle that is not accessible to the driver or passengers.
- The beverage—such as a bottle of wine—was purchased at a restaurant, resealed,and placed in a tamper-proof bag containing a dated receipt.
What counts as an open container?
You may envision an “open container” as being an uncapped bottle of beer nestled in the front seat cupholder—and while you’re right about that, there’s more to Wyoming’s open container law than you might think.
For instance, a half-emptied liquor bottle that you’re taking home from a holiday party cannot be inside the passenger area of your car by law. The to-go cocktail you were sipping on at the parade downtown—that’s not allowed in your car either.
Exceptions to Wyoming’s open container law
Wyoming’s open container law does have a small handful of exceptions. You’re permitted to consume alcohol or have an open container in a vehicle if:
- You’re a passenger of a vehicle that transports people for compensation such as a limo, as long as you’re sitting in the backseat.
- The alcoholic beverage is stored within a cabinet of a recreational vehicle (RV) and not within reach of passengers or the driver.
Key Takeaway Wyoming state law prohibits the presence of open containers of alcohol in your vehicle, and you may be fined up to $200 if you’re caught breaking the open container law.
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Penalties for violating Wyoming’s open container law
First-time violators of Wyoming’s open container law will likely face a ticket fine of up to $200. Subsequent convictions for violating the open container law will cause fines to go even higher.
If you’re ticketed for having an open container and the officer suspects you’ve been drinking and driving, you could be at risk of getting a
DUI
—which stands for driving under the influence. In Wyoming, a first-time DUI conviction will cost you up to $750 in fines and a jail sentence of up to 6 months. You should also anticipate having your license suspended for 90 days.
Traffic citations like open container and DUI will cause your insurance premium to skyrocket—a DUI on your record can sometimes
increase your rate
by 80%. How to save money on car insurance in Wyoming
If you’ve been convicted of violating Wyoming’s open container law, finding car insurance at a fair price is still possible. When it comes to locating big-time savings, the insurance comparison super app
Jerry
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Who gets the ticket for an open container in Wyoming
Depending on the circumstances, you and your passengers can all receive tickets at the same time if a police officer finds an open container in your vehicle.
What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer test in Wyoming?
If you refuse a breathalyzer test in Wyoming, you will receive a temporary license and need to request a hearing in order to retain your driving privileges. Otherwise, you could lose your license.
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