AZ Law on open container of alcohol laws in Limos, Buses and Taxi (Towncar/SUV)
Open Container Law - AZ Statute A.R.S. 4-251
Spirituous liquor in motor vehicles; prohibitions; violation; classification; exceptions; definitions A. It is unlawful for any person to: 1. Consume spirituous liquor while operating or while within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle that is located on any public highway or right-of-way of a public highway in this state. 2. Possess an open container of spirituous liquor within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle that is located on any public highway or right-of-way of a public highway in this state. B. A person who violates subsection A of this section is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor. C. This section does not apply to: 1. A passenger in any bus, limousine or taxi. 2. A passenger in the living quarters of a motor home as defined in section 28-4301. D. For the purposes of this section: 1. "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle that is driven or drawn by mechanical power and that is designed primarily for use on public highways. Motor vehicle does not include a vehicle operated exclusively on rails. 2. "Open container" means any bottle, can, jar or other receptacle that contains spirituous liquor and that has been opened, has had its seal broken or the contents of which have been partially removed. 3. "Passenger compartment" means the area of a motor vehicle designed for the seating of the driver and other passengers of the vehicle. Passenger compartment includes an unlocked glove compartment and any unlocked portable devices within the immediate reach of the driver or any passengers. Passenger compartment does not include the trunk, a locked glove compartment or the area behind the last upright seat of a motor vehicle that is not equipped with a trunk. 4. "Public highway or right-of-way of a public highway" means the entire width between and immediately adjacent to the boundary lines of every way maintained by the federal government, this state or a county, city or town if any part of the way is generally open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
So our interpretation is that people can drink on chauffeur-driven vehicles. We also know that Department of Transportation has rules which indicate there is to be no glass on a moving vehicle unless there is a driver partition (nothing blocking the driver from the passengers). So we would not want glass (cans or plastic are okay) in a Towncar or SUV. Think about it - in the case of an immediate quick brake we don't want the chauffeur accidentally knocked out by a flying glass bottle.
Also many police officers are unaware of this law - think about how many laws they have to memorize and try and enforce - so I don't blame them. Because of this problem you might experience delays on your trip if our vehicle is you are pulled over by unaware police officers. I would recommend keeping your drinking in the chauffeur driven Towncar or SUV as incongnito as possible (so a plastic party cup, no yelling or acting crazy-drunk with vehicles next to you, mooning is out of the question, etc.).
Let In The Scene Limousine chauffeur you and your group for your next party!
