California Car / Permit: Alcohol & Drugs Practice Test

Question 1

According to the BAC table in the California handbook, what lowers your blood alcohol concentration after you drink?

Accepted Answer

Only the passage of time — The handbook's BAC table says to subtract 0.01% for each 40 minutes that pass between drinks, so the passage of time is what lowers your BAC. Nothing in it credits coffee, a cold shower, or a meal. The handbook adds that a single drink can already affect your driving.

Answer

Drinking strong coffee

Answer

Taking a cold shower

Answer

Eating a large meal

Question 2

In California, it is illegal to have an open container of alcohol:

Accepted Answer

In the passenger area of the vehicle — It is illegal to keep an open container of alcohol where passengers sit, and that includes the glove box. A sealed, unopened container is fine. If a container is open, it must go in the trunk or somewhere passengers do not sit. It does not matter whether the driver is drinking from it.

Answer

Only if the driver is drinking from it

Answer

Only for drivers under 21

Answer

Only after 10 p.m.

Question 3

Under California's "zero tolerance" law, a driver under 21 may not drive with a BAC at or above:

Accepted Answer

0.01% — Drivers under 21 may not drive with a BAC of 0.01% or higher. This is far stricter than the 0.08% limit for adults over 21, so one drink can put a young driver over it. The 0.04% figure applies to commercial drivers and drivers carrying passengers for hire, not to people under 21 in general.

Answer

0.08%

Answer

0.05%

Answer

0.04%

Question 4

By driving in California, you have already agreed ("implied consent") to:

Accepted Answer

Chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DUI — Simply by driving in California you agree to a breath, blood, or urine test when an officer suspects DUI. Refusing means DMV will suspend or revoke your driving privilege for a year. That consent covers chemical testing for DUI, not random vehicle searches and not giving up your right to a lawyer.

Answer

Random vehicle searches at any time

Answer

Give up your right to a lawyer

Answer

Pay any traffic fine without a hearing

Question 5

A driver transporting a passenger for hire, such as a rideshare or taxi passenger, may not drive with a BAC at or above:

Accepted Answer

0.04% — If you are driving a passenger for hire, such as a taxi or rideshare passenger, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.04% or higher. This is the same limit that applies when you drive a vehicle that needs a commercial license. The ordinary 0.08% limit is for other adults over 21, and 0.01% for drivers under 21.

Answer

0.01%

Answer

0.08%

Answer

0.10%

Question 6

If you refuse a lawfully requested chemical test after being arrested for DUI, DMV will:

Accepted Answer

Suspend or revoke your driving privilege for one year — If you refuse a chemical test requested by a law enforcement officer, DMV will suspend or revoke your driving privilege for a year. Refusing does not avoid a penalty. By driving in California you have already consented to a breath, blood, or urine test if the officer suspects DUI, so the refusal itself carries the consequence.

Answer

Take no action unless you are also convicted of DUI

Answer

Only issue a warning letter

Answer

Add one point to your record and nothing more

Question 7

A first-time DUI conviction for a driver 21 or older in California can result in:

Accepted Answer

Fines, possible jail, a DUI program, and license suspension — A DUI conviction brings serious penalties: DMV will suspend or revoke your driving privilege for a year, and you must finish a DUI program. You may also be fined and sentenced to up to six months in jail, and your vehicle may be impounded. A first offense does not get just a warning or a small fine.

Answer

A warning with no real penalty

Answer

Only a small fixed fine

Answer

Points being removed from your record

Question 8

For a driver with a commercial driver license (CDL) operating a commercial vehicle, the illegal BAC level is:

Accepted Answer

0.04% — It is illegal to drive a vehicle that requires a commercial driver's license with a BAC of 0.04% or higher. That is stricter than the 0.08% limit for most adults. The same 0.04% limit applies when you are driving a passenger for hire. The 0.01% figure applies to drivers under 21 and anyone on DUI probation.

Answer

0.08%

Answer

0.10%

Answer

0.01%

Question 9

Driving after using cannabis (marijuana) in California is:

Accepted Answer

Illegal if it impairs your driving, the same as alcohol — California's DUI laws apply to drugs as well as alcohol, so driving after using anything that affects your ability to drive safely is illegal. The handbook is also strict about cannabis in a vehicle: you may not smoke or eat it while driving, and an open container must stay in the trunk or where passengers do not sit.

Answer

Always legal because cannabis is legal in California

Answer

Legal as long as you are over 21

Answer

Only illegal when driving on freeways

Question 10

For a driver of any age who is on DUI probation, it is illegal to drive with a BAC at or above:

Accepted Answer

0.01% — If you are on DUI probation, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.01% or higher, at any age. The 0.04% limit applies to commercial vehicles and passengers for hire, and 0.08% applies to adults over 21 who are not on probation. Being on probation lowers your limit to nearly zero.

Answer

0.04%

Answer

0.05%

Answer

0.08%

Question 11

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines:

Accepted Answer

Can impair driving, and driving while impaired by them is illegal — Prescription and over-the-counter medicines can affect your ability to drive safely, and the law treats them like any other drug. It is illegal to drive after taking any drug that impairs you, and you can be arrested for DUI. Read labels and learn a medicine's effects first, because being legal to buy does not make it safe to drive on.

Answer

Are always safe to use before driving

Answer

Only affect drivers over 65

Answer

Cannot lead to a DUI arrest

Question 12

For a driver 21 years or older, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above:

Accepted Answer

0.08% — If you are over 21, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more is illegal. Lower numbers apply to drivers under 21, those on DUI probation, commercial drivers, and drivers carrying passengers for hire. You can also be convicted of DUI at a lower BAC, because impairment itself is what matters.

Answer

0.05%

Answer

0.10%

Answer

0.02%

California Car / Permit: Alcohol & Drugs practice test

Study questions with answers

1. According to the BAC table in the California handbook, what lowers your blood alcohol concentration after you drink?

2. In California, it is illegal to have an open container of alcohol:

3. Under California's "zero tolerance" law, a driver under 21 may not drive with a BAC at or above:

4. By driving in California, you have already agreed ("implied consent") to:

5. A driver transporting a passenger for hire, such as a rideshare or taxi passenger, may not drive with a BAC at or above:

6. If you refuse a lawfully requested chemical test after being arrested for DUI, DMV will:

7. A first-time DUI conviction for a driver 21 or older in California can result in:

8. For a driver with a commercial driver license (CDL) operating a commercial vehicle, the illegal BAC level is:

9. Driving after using cannabis (marijuana) in California is:

10. For a driver of any age who is on DUI probation, it is illegal to drive with a BAC at or above:

11. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines:

12. For a driver 21 years or older, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above:

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