§ 18B-401. Manner of transportation.
§18B‑401. Manner of transportation.
(a) Opened Containers. It shall be unlawful for a person to transport fortified wine or spirituousliquor in the passenger area of a motor vehicle in other than themanufacturer's unopened original container. It shall be unlawful for a personwho is driving a motor vehicle on a highway or public vehicular area to consumein the passenger area of that vehicle any malt beverage or unfortified wine. Violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor.
(b) Taxis. It shallbe unlawful for a person operating a for‑hire passenger vehicle asdefined in G.S. 20‑4.01(27)b, to transport fortified wine or spirituousliquor unless the vehicle is transporting a paying passenger who owns thealcoholic beverage being transported. Not more than eight liters of fortifiedwine or spirituous liquor, or combination of the two, may be transported byeach passenger. A violation of this subsection shall not be grounds forsuspension of the driver's license for illegal transportation of intoxicatingliquors under G.S. 20‑16(a)(8).
(c) Definitions. Thedefinitions in Chapter 20 of the General Statutes apply in interpreting thissection. If the seal on a container of alcoholic beverages has been broken, itis opened within the meaning of this section. For purposes of this section,"passenger area of a motor vehicle" means the area designed to seatthe driver and passengers and any area within the reach of a seated driver orpassenger, including the glove compartment. In the case of a station wagon,hatchback or similar vehicle, the area behind the last upright back seat shallnot be considered part of the passenger area. (1923, c. 1, s. 25; C.S., s.3411(y); 1937, c. 49, ss. 14, 16; c. 411; 1967, c. 222, ss. 1, 7; c. 1256, s.3; 1969, c. 598, ss. 2, 3; c. 1018; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1977, c. 176, s. 1; c.586; 1979, c. 607, s. 1; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 45; 1983, c. 435, s. 7;1989, c. 553, s. 3; 1993, c. 508, s. 4, c. 539, s. 312; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24,s. 14(c).)