Delaware permit test: impaired driving and dui laws
Drinking and BAC, crash risk, when you can drive after drinking, drugs with alcohol, DUI, implied consent and zero tolerance, and penalties. 22 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key impaired driving and dui laws rulesShow the rules
- One standard drink is a regular can of beer, a small 5-ounce glass of wine, or one shot of 80 proof liquor. (p. 50, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- For adult drivers, a test result of .08 or higher proves impairment under Delaware law, as does any illicit or recreational drug in the system. (p. 50, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Under Delaware's zero tolerance statute, an underage driver with a .02 BAC faces mandatory license revocation. (p. 50, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Alcohol goes from your stomach into your blood and reaches your brain in 20 to 40 minutes, where it affects judgment and skill. (p. 51, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Even one drink affects driving, and with two or more drinks in your bloodstream you are impaired and could be arrested. (p. 51, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Delaware's DUI law covers alcohol and drugs, and being legally entitled to use the alcohol or drug is not a defense. (p. 54, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- For a juvenile DUI, the Family Court orders DMV to revoke the license until the person is 21, the legal drinking age. (p. 54, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- The officer confiscates a Delaware license at arrest and issues a 15-day temporary license. (p. 55, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- The administrative hearing table gives 12 months for a first refusal of a chemical test. (p. 55, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- A first-offense DUI with a BAC of .20 or greater, or a refusal to be tested, costs the license for 24 months. (p. 56, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample impaired driving and dui laws questions
1.Besides losing the license, what can a court impose for a first DUI conviction in Delaware?
- ACommunity service only
- BA warning for first-time drivers
- CNothing more for a first offense
- DA fine and/or up to 12 months in jail
Show the answer
✓ D. A fine and/or up to 12 months in jail
For a first DUI, the court can impose a fine of $500 to $1,500 and/or up to 12 months in jail, on top of DMV's license penalties.
2.A commercial vehicle driver has a BAC of .04. What happens?
- AA one-year commercial disqualification
- BNothing, because .04 is below .08
- CA one-week suspension of all driving
- DOnly a written warning from the officer
Show the answer
✓ A. A one-year commercial disqualification
A commercial vehicle driver with a BAC of .04 or more, or who refuses a test, is disqualified from commercial driving for one year; a second conviction can bring lifetime disqualification.
3.A driver's first DUI offense involves a BAC of .12. How long does DMV take the license?
- A24 months
- B18 months
- C3 months
- D12 months
Show the answer
✓ D. 12 months
For a first DUI, DMV takes the license for 12 months if BAC is under .15 (or for drugs), 18 months for .15-.19, and 24 months for .20 or more or a test refusal.
4.After a DUI arrest, you never request an administrative hearing. What happens?
- AYou are given a second temporary license
- BThe DUI charge against you is dropped
- CThe license is revoked once the 15 days end
- DNothing at all happens until your trial
Show the answer
✓ C. The license is revoked once the 15 days end
If no hearing is requested within the 15 days, the license is revoked when the temporary license period ends.