Alcohol & Minors Policy: BYOB, IDs and Chaperones
Our rules on alcohol and underage passengers, in plain English. They follow California law, and they apply on every vehicle in our LA party bus fleet.
Our policy at a glance
| Situation | Our rule |
|---|---|
| Guests 21 and older | BYOB is allowed. We provide coolers, ice and cup holders; we don’t sell or serve alcohol. |
| Any guest under 21 | No alcohol for them, ever. If the group also brings alcohol, California requires a chaperone 25 or older. |
| Our drivers | Never drink, and have the authority to end a trip for safety. |
| Cannabis | Not consumed on board. California law prohibits using cannabis in a moving vehicle’s passenger area. |
| Underage drinking discovered | The trip ends and the bus returns to the starting point. |
Why every party bus in California is BYOB
California has no license type that allows a party bus operator to sell or serve alcohol. So any company offering an “open bar” or “drink package” is either describing something you bring yourself, or doing something it isn’t licensed to do. With us, guests 21 and older bring their own, and we provide the coolers, ice and space to keep it.
The chaperone rule for under-21 passengers
Under California’s Brett Studebaker Law, party bus companies must ask two questions when you book: will anyone under 21 be on board, and will alcohol be present? If the answer to both is yes, the group must name a chaperone who is 25 or older. The chaperone:
- checks IDs before the trip,
- tells passengers the rules, including that the trip ends if underage drinking happens,
- and tells the driver if anyone underage is drinking, at which point the bus returns to where it started.
We ask both questions on every booking. If your group includes anyone under 21, plan the chaperone before the night, not at the curb.
What our drivers will and won’t do
- Check that the chaperone is on board when one is required.
- Ask the group to bring IDs, and expect them to be used.
- Pull over and end the trip if anyone underage is drinking, a guest is unsafe, or the group won’t follow the rules.
- Never drink, and never look the other way.
Planning for teenagers? Read our prom and quinceañera safety guide for parents. For the licensing behind these rules, see licensing and insurance, and for everything a trip costs, understanding your party bus quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is alcohol allowed on LA Nights party buses?
Yes, for guests 21 and older who bring their own. We provide coolers, ice and cup holders, but we do not sell or serve alcohol.
Can minors ride a party bus where adults are drinking?
Only with a chaperone. California law requires a designated chaperone age 25 or older whenever passengers under 21 are on board and alcohol is present.
What happens if someone underage drinks on the bus?
The chaperone tells the driver and the trip ends, with the bus returning to the starting point. That is California law, not just our policy.
Can we smoke or use cannabis on the bus?
No. California law prohibits consuming cannabis in the passenger area of a moving vehicle, and we do not allow smoking or vaping on board.
Keep reading
Prom & Quinceañera Safety Guide
What parents should know before booking for teens.
Read it StandardsLicensing & Insurance
How California licenses party bus operators, and how to verify ours.
Read it StandardsDriver & Vehicle Safety Standards
Who drives you and how the vehicles are kept road-ready.
Read itQuestions before you book?
Questions about our alcohol or minors rules for your group? Call and ask before you book.
LA Nights Party Bus · 1839 S Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90019