Washoe County, NV Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- WCC § 30.182
- Drink-while-driving ban
- Unlawful on a highway (§ 30.182(1))
- Open container ban
- Passenger area, vehicle on highway
- Maximum penalty
- $1,000 fine / 6 months jail (§ 30.605)
- Exception
- Permitted limousines and charter buses
Summary
It is a misdemeanor in unincorporated Washoe County to drink alcohol while driving, or to have an open alcoholic beverage container in a vehicle's passenger area on a highway, unless the vehicle is a permitted limousine or charter bus serving passengers.
1.It is unlawful for a person to drink an alcoholic beverage while the person is driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway in the unincorporated county.2.Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, it is unlawful for a person to have an open container of an alcoholic beverage within the passenger area of a motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is upon a highway in the unincorporated county. This subsection does not apply to a motor vehicle which is designed, maintained, or used primarily for the transportation of persons for compensation, or to the living quarters of a house coach or house trailer.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
' The ban does not apply to vehicles 'designed, maintained, or used primarily for the transportation of persons for compensation,' meaning registered, permitted limousines and charter buses operated by a licensed driver, or to the living quarters of a house coach or trailer. Subsection 3 lets those commercial vehicles distribute complimentary alcohol without a separate liquor license, but only if passengers serve themselves, the vehicle's main business is transportation rather than alcohol service, the alcohol is not advertised or displayed as if for sale, and it is consumed on the vehicle and not sold or given for removal.
Violations & Fines
Violating the open container or drink-while-driving prohibitions of § 30.182 is enforced under § 30.605 as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00, imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or both; failing to appear in court to answer the citation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to drink alcohol while driving in Washoe County?
Can a passenger have an open beer in the car in Washoe County?
What is the penalty for an open container violation in Washoe County?
Can a limousine serve alcohol to passengers in Washoe County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washoe County
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