Can I have beer, wine or weed in my WA car? Open container laws explained
Warmer weather means more chances to explore Washington state’s flourishing beer and wine scene.
Many locals and visitors explore breweries, distilleries and vineyards by car, driving from tasting rooms to bottle shops and back.
Some may add cannabis dispensaries to their list of stops.
What are the rules about open containers in Washington state? Where can you keep your purchases once you’ve found the perfect picks?
Here’s what to know:
What is considered an open container under state law?
In Washington state, it’s against the law to drink alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle when it’s on the road — even if you’re a passenger, McClatchy Media previously reported.
You’re also not allowed to have a “bottle, can or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage if the container has been opened,” the seal’s been broken or the contents have been partially removed, according to the Revised Code of Washington.
“Under the law, any receptacle that can hold liquids is a container,” Western Washington law firm Veitch Ault Defense said.
Even a “full water bottle with alcohol in it” could be considered an open container if the lid is off and the factory seal is broken, according to the law firm, which has offices in Bellevue and Lynnwood.
Some energy drinks, sparkling waters and non-alcoholic beers “mimic the look and feel of alcoholic products” with their packaging, which may cause confusion, according to Knauss Law Firm.
“Law enforcement officers may mistake these beverages for open containers during a traffic stop, leading to unnecessary searches, breathalyzer tests or even field sobriety tests,” the Kirkland law firm said.
Where can I legally keep alcohol in my car?
In Washington state, you’re only allowed to have an open container in your car if it’s kept somewhere the driver and their passengers can’t access.
The container must be “kept in the trunk of the vehicle or in some other area of the vehicle not normally occupied by the driver or passengers” if there’s no trunk, according to the Revised Code of Washington.
The glove or utility compartment doesn’t count, state law says.
Unopened alcoholic beverages are fine, so you don’t have to use your trunk to store bottles or cases when bringing them home from the brewery, winery or liquor store.
Can I have cannabis in my vehicle?
Open container rules aren’t limited to alcohol.
In Washington state, it’s illegal to have an open “package, container or receptacle” of cannabis in your car while driving.
If the seal’s been broken or the contents partially removed, you need to keep cannabis products in the trunk or another area that’s “not normally occupied or directly accessible by the driver or passengers,” the Revised Code of Washington says.
“A utility compartment or glove compartment is ... within the area occupied by the driver and passengers,” state law says.
According to Knauss Law Firm, “any form of marijuana,” including buds, edibles and tinctures, must be kept out of reach when you’re on the road.
Are there exceptions to open container rules?
In Washington state, open containers are allowed in public service vehicles that have been commercially chartered for group use, such as a party bus, and the living quarters of motor homes or campers.
Passengers can also have open containers in licensed for-hire vehicles such as limousines.
However, Washington law bans passengers using Uber, Lyft and other rideshare services from having open containers.
What’s the penalty for having an open container?
“Even if you’re completely sober, having an open container in the wrong spot in your car can result in a traffic infraction or escalate into a more serious investigation,” Knauss Law Firm said, “particularly during high-enforcement periods like holidays or summer months.”
If anyone in your vehicle is caught with an open container, the registered owner of the car — or the driver if the owner isn’t present — could face an infraction with fines up to $250.
You can face additional infractions if you’re caught driving under the influence or trying to disguise an alcoholic beverage in order to get around the law.
If there’s anyone under 21 in the car, they could be charged with being a minor in possession of alcohol.
This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, Washington State Trooper Chris Thorson previously told McClatchy Media
This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Can I have beer, wine or weed in my WA car? Open container laws explained."