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Tennessee permit test: alcohol, other drugs and driving

How alcohol and drugs affect driving, BAC, implied consent, DUI penalties and Tennessee's under-21 laws. By law at least 25% of test questions cover this. 47 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key alcohol, other drugs and driving rulesShow the rules
  1. The liver can oxidize only about one drink per hour, and nothing you do can speed that up. (p. 93, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  2. Alcohol begins to be absorbed into the bloodstream within one to two minutes of drinking. (p. 93, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  3. Reaction time and coordination are impaired at a BAC as low as .02. (p. 94, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  4. The No Refusal law (2012) lets law enforcement seek search warrants for blood samples from suspected impaired drivers. (p. 95, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  5. A fourth or later DUI conviction is a Class E felony, with at least 150 days in jail and fines of $3,000 to $15,000. (p. 96, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  6. A person with 2 DUIs in five years must drive only a vehicle with an ignition interlock device for six months after reinstatement. (p. 96, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  7. A first DUI conviction brings a 1-year license revocation, plus jail time and a fine of $350 to $1,500. (p. 96, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  8. Decide not to drive before you start drinking, because alcohol affects judgment and makes the decision harder after one or two drinks. (p. 97, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  9. One 12-ounce beer has about the same alcohol as a 1-ounce shot of whiskey. (p. 97, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  10. A driver who is at least 16 but under 21 and drives with a BAC of .02 can be convicted of underage driving while impaired. (p. 97, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample alcohol, other drugs and driving questions

  1. 1.What is the license revocation period for a second DUI conviction?

    • A1 year
    • B5 years
    • CIndefinite
    • D2 years
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. 2 years

    A second DUI conviction brings a 2-year revocation, 45 days to 11 months 29 days in jail, and the vehicle can be seized.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 96

  2. 2.At a BAC of .05, about how much is your side vision reduced?

    • AAbout 30 percent
    • BIt is not reduced
    • CAbout 10 percent
    • DAbout 50 percent
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. About 30 percent

    Side vision is reduced by about 30 percent at .05 BAC, which raises the risk of collisions.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 94

  3. 3.You are 19 and are stopped while driving with a BAC of .02. What can you be convicted of?

    • AUnderage driving while impaired
    • BOnly a minor traffic infraction
    • COnly a curfew violation
    • DNothing, because you are under .08
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Underage driving while impaired

    A driver who is at least 16 but under 21 and drives with a BAC of .02 can be convicted of underage driving while impaired. The penalties include losing the license for one year and a $250 fine.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 97

  4. 4.You had three drinks. About how long does it take for the intoxicating effects to wear off?

    • AAbout two hours
    • BAbout one hour
    • CAbout 30 minutes
    • DAbout three hours
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. About three hours

    It takes about one hour to cancel the effects of one drink, so three drinks take about three hours.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 97