Whether you’re heading out for a night on Broadway or catching a ride home from dinner, the question comes up often: Can you legally bring alcohol in your Uber? With rideshare services like Uber and Lyft now an everyday part of Nashville life, understanding the rules around transporting open or unopened alcohol is more important than ever—especially when Tennessee laws and company policies don’t always align.
In this post, we break down what Tennessee state law says, how Uber’s own policies come into play, and what you need to know to avoid costly mistakes. Before you crack open that bottle or carry a six-pack into your next ride, read on for clear, actionable legal guidance from Collins Legal.
STATE LAW
- Tennessee lets passengers have open containers of alcohol in cars.
- Only ten states allow this.
- You can drink or hold alcohol as a passenger in your Uber in Tennessee.
- The driver takes you where you want to go while you keep partying.
- Most other states ban open containers in cars.
- In some states, open containers are allowed only in vehicles like taxis, buses, or limos.
- Uber vehicles seem similar, but don’t always qualify.
- Uber drivers use personal cars and may only drive part-time.
- Some drivers may use a dedicated vehicle for Uber, but that’s rare.
- The law lists taxis, buses, and limos, but not Uber.
- Courts could include or exclude Uber based on interpretation.
Uber’s Policy
- Uber’s code of conduct bans open containers unless state law allows them.
- In states like Pennsylvania, Uber does not allow open containers.
- In Tennessee, Uber allows passengers to have open containers.
- You can bring your drink into your Uber in Tennessee.
- Enjoy your ride and keep your buzz.
Consider it handled.
