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. How much alcohol can it take to show signs of impairment in some people?

   Correct answer: As little as one drink

   For some people, one drink is all it takes to show signs of impairment.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.1 - Alcohol and Driving

2. 2. When may you use a drug that a doctor has given you while driving a CMV?

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

   Use of a drug prescribed by a doctor is permitted if the doctor informs you it will not affect safe driving ability.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.2 - Other Drugs

3. 3. After you swallow alcohol, where does it go in the body?

   Correct answer: Directly into the bloodstream and to the brain

   Alcohol goes directly into the bloodstream and is carried to the brain.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.1 - Alcohol and Driving

4. 4. How can common over-the-counter cold medicines affect your driving?

   Correct answer: They can make you drowsy and unsafe to drive

   Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as cold medicines, can make the driver drowsy or otherwise unsafe.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.2 - Other Drugs

5. 5. Which abilities does alcohol impair in a driver?

   Correct answer: Muscle coordination, reaction time, and judgment

   Alcohol impairs muscle coordination, reaction time, depth perception, night vision, and judgment.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.1 - Alcohol and Driving

6. 6. Which part of the brain does alcohol affect first?

   Correct answer: The part that controls judgment and self-control

   The first part of the brain affected by alcohol controls judgment and self-control, which can keep drinkers from knowing they are impaired.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.1 - Alcohol and Driving

7. 7. How does the speed at which you drink affect your blood alcohol concentration?

   Correct answer: Drinking faster raises your BAC

   Drinking faster than the body can eliminate alcohol raises your BAC, because the extra alcohol builds up in the blood.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.1 - Alcohol and Driving

8. 8. Which factors determine a person's blood alcohol concentration?

   Correct answer: How much and how fast you drink, plus body weight

   BAC is determined by how much alcohol you drink, how fast you drink it, and your body weight.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.1 - Alcohol and Driving

9. 9. What should you do if you become so ill that you cannot operate your vehicle safely?

   Correct answer: Not drive, except in an emergency to the nearest safe stop

   If you are too ill to drive safely you must not drive, except in an emergency to reach the nearest safe place to stop.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.3 - Illness

10. 10. What should you do about any drug that hides fatigue?

    Correct answer: Avoid it, because only rest cures fatigue

    Don't use any drug that hides fatigue; the only real cure for fatigue is rest.

    Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.2 - Other Drugs

11. 11. Which three drinks each contain the same amount of alcohol?

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

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

    Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.1 - Alcohol and Driving

12. 12. How does alcohol affect the action of other drugs?

    Correct answer: It can make their effects much worse

    Alcohol can make the effects of other drugs much worse, so the safest rule is not to mix drugs with driving at all.

    Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.22.2 - Other Drugs