According to the concept of reasonable expectation of privacy, what is the status of REP in a vehicle with passengers?

The rationale behind the notion that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy (REP) in the vehicle as a whole is rooted in the legal precedent surrounding the Fourth Amendment. The law recognizes that vehicles are subject to regulatory control and are often out in public spaces, which diminishes the expectation of privacy that one might have in a home or private property.

However, this does not mean there is a complete absence of REP. Passengers maintain a reasonable expectation of privacy regarding their personal belongings, such as items stored in their individual bags or containers within the vehicle. The courts have consistently held that while the vehicle itself may not afford REP, the personal effects within it, especially when they are kept privately by individuals, do retain a level of privacy protection. This differentiation is critical because it underscores the balance between law enforcement's ability to conduct searches and the individual's rights to privacy concerning their personal items.