Alcohol & Drugs

Study questions with answers

12 sample Alcohol & Drugs questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Operating a CMV with an alcohol concentration of how much counts as a major violation?

   Correct answer: 0.04 or greater

   Operating a CMV at a 0.04 alcohol concentration or higher is classified as a major traffic violation.

   Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 1 (Major traffic violations)

2. 2. Refusing a chemical test under implied consent results in what for a first offense?

   Correct answer: A one-year CDL suspension, or three years if transporting hazmat

   A first refusal suspends the CDL for one year, or three years if hazardous materials were being transported.

   Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 1 (Refusal to submit to a chemical test)

3. 3. Which drinks contain roughly the same amount of alcohol?

   Correct answer: A 12-oz 5% beer, a 5-oz glass of 12% wine, and a 1.5-oz shot of 80-proof liquor

   About the same alcohol is in a 12-oz beer at 5%, a 5-oz serving of 12% wine, and a 1.5-oz measure of 80-proof spirits.

   Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 2.22.1 (What is a drink?)

4. 4. As blood alcohol rises, which ability is impaired first?

   Correct answer: Judgment and self-control

   Alcohol first affects the part of the brain controlling judgment and self-control, which can keep a drinker from realizing they are impaired.

   Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 2.22.1 (Alcohol and the brain)

5. 5. What does alcohol do to the effects of other drugs?

   Correct answer: It can make them much worse

   Combined with other drugs, alcohol can intensify their effects, so the safest rule is to never mix any drugs with driving.

   Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 2.22.2 (Other drugs)

6. 6. If you become too ill to drive safely, what does the manual say you may do in an emergency?

   Correct answer: Drive only as far as the closest safe place to pull over and stop

   If illness makes safe driving impossible, you must not drive, but in an emergency you may drive only to the closest safe place to stop.

   Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 2.22.3 (Illness)

7. 7. How fast can the liver eliminate alcohol from the body?

   Correct answer: About one-third ounce of alcohol per hour

   The liver processes only about one-third ounce of alcohol per hour, a fixed rate that coffee or a cold shower cannot speed up.

   Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 2.22.1 (How alcohol works)

8. 8. Which driving-related abilities does alcohol impair?

   Correct answer: Coordination, reaction time, depth perception, and judgment

   Alcohol impairs coordination, reaction time, depth perception, and judgment, leading to serious driving errors.

   Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 2.22.1 (Alcohol and driving)

9. 9. When is possession and use of a doctor-prescribed drug permitted while driving?

   Correct answer: When the doctor says it will not affect safe driving ability

   It is permitted when the prescribing doctor tells the driver the drug will not affect safe driving ability.

   Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 2.22.2 (Other drugs)

10. 10. Why can over-the-counter cold medicines be a concern for CMV drivers?

    Correct answer: They may cause drowsiness and affect safe driving

    Cold medicines and other prescription or over-the-counter drugs can cause drowsiness and otherwise affect safe driving.

    Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 2.22.2 (Other drugs)

11. 11. What is the only thing that will lower your blood alcohol concentration?

    Correct answer: Time

    Only time will reduce your BAC; black coffee, a cold shower, and fresh air do not sober you up.

    Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 2.22.1 (How alcohol works)

12. 12. Refusing a preliminary breath test results in what?

    Correct answer: Being placed out of service for 24 hours

    Refusing a preliminary breath test places the driver out of service for 24 hours.

    Source: Michigan CDL Manual, Section 1 (Serious alcohol violations)