A. Possession In Passenger Area; Transporting:
1. A passenger in a motor vehicle upon a public street or highway shall not possess in the passenger area of the motor vehicle an open or unsealed bottle, can, jar, or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage.
2. "Passenger area" means the area of a motor vehicle designed to seat the driver and passengers while the motor vehicle is in operation and any area that is readily accessible to the driver or a passenger while in their seating positions, including the glove compartment.
3. An open or unsealed receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage may be transported in the trunk of the motor vehicle. An unsealed receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage may be transported behind the last upright seat of the motor vehicle if the motor vehicle does not have a trunk.
B. Exceptions: This section does not apply to a passenger being transported in a motor vehicle designed, maintained, or used privately for the transportation of persons for compensation, or a passenger being transported in the living quarters of a mobile home, motor home, mobile homes, travel trailers, or fifth wheel travel trailers. (2008 Code § 17-284A)
C. Penalty: A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor, punishable as a scheduled violation under Iowa Code section 805.8A, subsection 14. (2008 Code § 17-284A; amd. 2015 Code)