Pennsylvania permit test: alcohol, drugs and dui
How alcohol and drugs affect driving, DUI penalties, chemical test refusal, zero tolerance for drivers under 21 and underage drinking. 20 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key alcohol, drugs and dui rulesShow the rules
- Being awake for 24 hours impairs driving like a BAC of .10; 18 hours awake is like .05. (p. 37, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- For drivers of legal drinking age, the legal limit is .08, though you can still be convicted at lower levels if you drive erratically. (p. 37, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- Even at .04, half the adult legal limit, drivers are between two and seven times more likely to crash than drivers with no alcohol. (p. 37, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- Marijuana can slow reaction time, impair your judgment of time and distance, and decrease coordination. (p. 38, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- A single beer of 12 ounces counts as one drink; for wine and liquor, the serving sizes are smaller. (p. 38, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- Under the Implied Consent law, a first refusal brings a one-year suspension even if you are found not guilty of DUI. (p. 86, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- The refusal restoration fee is $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second and $2,000 for a third or later one. (p. 86, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- ARD participants lose their license for up to 90 days and must complete evaluation, Alcohol Highway Safety School and court supervision. (p. 87, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- If you are under 21, it is illegal to buy, drink or possess alcohol, or to have alcohol in the vehicle you are driving. (p. 88, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- Adults who knowingly supply alcohol to minors face a fine of at least $1,000 for a first offense and $2,500 for each additional one. (p. 88, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample alcohol, drugs and dui questions
1.An 18-year-old is convicted of DUI with a BAC of .03. Which penalty table applies?
- ATable 2, High Rate
- BNo table, since the BAC is under .08
- CTable 1, General Impairment
- DTable 3, Highest Rate
Show the answer
✓ A. Table 2, High Rate
A driver under 21 convicted of DUI at .02 or higher faces the Table 2 High Rate penalties, even with a BAC below that table's levels.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 86
2.Which of these counts as one drink?
- A10 oz. of wine
- B24 oz. of regular beer
- C12 oz. of regular beer
- D3 oz. of 80 proof liquor
Show the answer
✓ C. 12 oz. of regular beer
A single beer of 12 ounces counts as one drink; for wine and liquor, the serving sizes are smaller.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 38
3.A 19-year-old drives with an unopened case of beer an older friend bought sitting in the trunk. Is this legal?
- AYes, as long as it stays in the trunk
- BNo, under 21 you can't have alcohol in your car
- CYes, because the beer is still unopened
- DYes, because an adult over 21 bought it
Show the answer
✓ B. No, under 21 you can't have alcohol in your car
If you are under 21, it is illegal to buy, drink or possess alcohol, or to have alcohol in the vehicle you are driving.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 88
4.About how long does it take a person of average weight to process the alcohol in one drink?
- AAt least 3 hours
- BAt least 1 hour
- CAbout 30 minutes
- DAbout 15 minutes
Show the answer
✓ B. At least 1 hour
It takes a person of average weight at least one hour to process the alcohol in each drink, which is why the limit is one drink per hour.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 38