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

   Correct answer: Time

   Only the passage of time sobers you up; coffee, a cold shower, or fresh air will not speed up the liver.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 2.22.1 (Alcohol and Driving)

2. 2. When is it permitted to drive after taking a prescription drug your doctor gave you?

   Correct answer: Only if the doctor says it will not affect safe driving

   You may use a doctor-prescribed drug only if the doctor has told you it will not affect your ability to drive safely.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 2.22.2 (Other Drugs)

3. 3. What does 'implied consent' mean for a commercial driver?

   Correct answer: Driving a CMV means you have consented to alcohol testing

   By operating a CMV you are considered to have already consented to alcohol testing when asked.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.2 (Alcohol Disqualifications)

4. 4. For a first offense, operating a commercial vehicle while under the influence of alcohol costs your CDL for at least how long?

   Correct answer: At least 1 year

   A first-offense conviction for operating a commercial vehicle while impaired by alcohol results in the loss of your CDL for at least one year.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.2 (Alcohol Disqualifications)

5. 5. Which of these contains about the same amount of alcohol as a 12-ounce glass of beer?

   Correct answer: A 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor

   A 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor all contain about the same amount of alcohol.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 2.22.1 (Alcohol and Driving)

6. 6. What blood alcohol concentration makes it illegal to operate a commercial motor vehicle?

   Correct answer: .04 percent or more

   It is illegal to drive a CMV with a blood alcohol concentration of .04 percent or higher.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.2 (Alcohol Disqualifications)

7. 7. Which mental ability does alcohol impair first as blood alcohol builds up?

   Correct answer: Judgment and self-control

   Alcohol affects judgment and self-control first, which is dangerous because it can keep a drinker from realizing how impaired they are.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 2.22.1 (Alcohol and the Brain)

8. 8. What is the penalty for a second major alcohol or drug offense in a commercial vehicle?

   Correct answer: Loss of your CDL for life

   A second such offense results in the loss of your CDL for life.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.2 (Alcohol Disqualifications)

9. 9. If you are found to have a detectable amount of alcohol under .04 percent, what happens?

   Correct answer: You are placed out of service for 24 hours

   Any detectable alcohol below .04 percent puts you out of service for 24 hours.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.2 (Alcohol Disqualifications)

10. 10. A school bus driver who refuses a blood alcohol test or is convicted of DWI is disqualified from driving a school bus for a minimum of how long?

    Correct answer: A minimum of ten years

    Refusing testing or a DWI conviction disqualifies a person from operating a school bus for at least ten years, whatever vehicle was driven.

    Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.2 (Alcohol Disqualifications)

11. 11. If a disqualifying alcohol offense happens while you are driving a vehicle placarded for hazardous materials, how long do you lose your CDL for a first offense?

    Correct answer: At least 3 years

    The first-offense disqualification jumps to at least three years when the vehicle was placarded for hazardous materials.

    Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.2 (Alcohol Disqualifications)

12. 12. For a first offense, refusing to submit to blood alcohol testing costs you your CDL for at least how long?

    Correct answer: At least one year

    Refusing the required alcohol test is treated like other first alcohol offenses and results in losing your CDL for at least one year.

    Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.2 (Alcohol Disqualifications)