Maryland: Alcohol and drugs Practice Test
How alcohol and drugs affect driving, blood alcohol limits, implied consent, testing and the penalties for impaired driving.
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Ready? Test yourself
- Instant feedback with an explanation
- Every answer cites its source in the manual
- Your best score is saved on this device
Questions are original and based on the official manual "Maryland Driver’s Manual" (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
All 28 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
Show the questions and answersHide the questions
-
What does blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measure?
- The amount of alcohol in your blood
- How quickly your body digests alcohol
- The number of drinks you had that day
- How impaired your judgment is right now
Show answer
Correct answer: The amount of alcohol in your blood
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a measurement of the amount of alcohol in your blood.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
At what blood alcohol concentration does Maryland consider drivers to be driving under the influence of alcohol?
- .05 or higher
- .10 or higher
- .08 or higher
- .15 or higher
Show answer
Correct answer: .08 or higher
Maryland considers drivers to be driving under the influence of alcohol when their blood alcohol concentration is .08 or higher.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
The manual says your judgment and physical coordination may be impaired at a BAC much lower than .08. What could that result in?
- Only a written warning
- Criminal charges
- A required driver improvement course
- A reduced fine and no jail time
Show answer
Correct answer: Criminal charges
Impairment at a much lower BAC than .08 could result in criminal charges.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
Which of these does the manual say may be affected with just one drink?
- Hearing, taste, and sense of smell
- Memory, handwriting, and typing speed
- Strength, balance, and flexibility
- Vision, simple movements, and reaction time
Show answer
Correct answer: Vision, simple movements, and reaction time
Your vision, ability to perform simple movements, and reaction time may be affected with just one drink.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
Why can't you tell your own BAC simply by counting the drinks you have had?
- Many things can affect how your body digests alcohol
- Every type of drink has a different legal limit
- Alcohol affects everyone's body in exactly the same way
- The law counts only drinks had after you start driving
Show answer
Correct answer: Many things can affect how your body digests alcohol
You cannot tell your BAC by the number of drinks because many things can affect how your body digests alcohol.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
Which of these can affect how your body digests alcohol?
- The color and make of your vehicle
- How many years you have been licensed
- How long ago you ate and how much you ate
- The time of day you are on the road
Show answer
Correct answer: How long ago you ate and how much you ate
Your weight, body fat, how long ago you ate, and how much you ate can all affect how your body digests alcohol.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
Below what age is it against the law for you to drink any alcohol?
- 16
- 21
- 18
- 25
Show answer
Correct answer: 21
If you are not yet 21 years old, it is against the law for you to drink any alcohol.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
If you are under 21 and law enforcement stops you after you have been drinking, what will happen to your license?
- You will get a warning and keep your license
- It will only be marked with a new restriction
- It will be suspended only if your BAC is .08 or higher
- It will be suspended or revoked
Show answer
Correct answer: It will be suspended or revoked
If you are under 21 and law enforcement stops you after drinking, your license will be suspended or revoked.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
If you are under 21 and stopped after drinking, what else could you be charged with violating?
- The alcohol restriction on your license
- The insurance requirement on your vehicle
- The registration rules for your vehicle
- The seat belt law for your passengers
Show answer
Correct answer: The alcohol restriction on your license
A driver under 21 who has been drinking could be charged with violating the alcohol restriction on their license.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
Where is it against the law to drive with an open container of alcohol?
- Only on interstate and limited access highways
- Only when the driver has been drinking
- In the passenger area of the vehicle
- Only when a passenger is under 21
Show answer
Correct answer: In the passenger area of the vehicle
It is against the law to drive with an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of the vehicle.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
What counts as an open container of alcohol?
- Only a bottle that has had its cap removed and is partly full
- Any open can, bottle, other type of container, or package
- Only a can or bottle that has been opened and is not empty
- Only a container with some alcohol missing from it
Show answer
Correct answer: Any open can, bottle, other type of container, or package
An open container is any open can, bottle, other type of container, or package.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
According to the manual, a six-pack of alcohol with open, empty, or missing bottles or cans can be considered what?
- A sealed container
- A cargo-only item
- An unopened carton
- An open container
Show answer
Correct answer: An open container
A six-pack of alcohol with open, empty, or missing bottles or cans can be considered an open container.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
Which description of the passenger area of a vehicle matches the manual?
- Any place the driver or passengers can easily reach
- Only the seat where the driver is sitting
- Only places the driver can see in the mirrors
- Only the area behind the rear seat
Show answer
Correct answer: Any place the driver or passengers can easily reach
The passenger area includes the driver and passenger seats and any place the driver or passengers can easily reach from where they are sitting.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
Which of these can illegal drugs, some prescription medications, and chemical inhalants affect?
- Your eyesight and hearing, but not your reaction time
- Only how long you can stay awake on long drives
- Alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time
- Your sense of smell and your sense of taste
Show answer
Correct answer: Alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time
Illegal drugs, some prescription medications, and chemical inhalants can affect your alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
The manual says all drugs can make it hard to do what?
- Read road signs at night and in bad weather
- Judge distances and react to signals and sounds
- Remember directions and use a map or GPS
- Keep a steady speed on a straight road
Show answer
Correct answer: Judge distances and react to signals and sounds
All drugs can make it hard to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
What can happen to your license if you drive while on controlled dangerous substances?
- It can only be restricted to daytime driving
- Only a warning letter will be sent to you
- It is suspended only if you are under 21
- It can be suspended or revoked
Show answer
Correct answer: It can be suspended or revoked
Your license can be suspended or revoked for driving while on controlled dangerous substances.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
What should you look for on prescription and over-the-counter drug labels?
- Warnings not to drive or use heavy machinery
- The date the medication was first approved for sale
- Instructions for storing the medication safely
- The name of the doctor who prescribed it
Show answer
Correct answer: Warnings not to drive or use heavy machinery
You should look for warnings that tell you not to drive or use heavy machinery when taking the medication.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
What could happen if you drive after taking a medication that tells you not to drive and it impairs your ability to drive safely?
- Only your insurance rate would change
- You would receive a warning from the pharmacist
- You could be charged with a criminal offense
- Your vehicle registration would be canceled
Show answer
Correct answer: You could be charged with a criminal offense
Driving after taking a medication that warns against it, if it impairs your ability to drive safely, could lead to a criminal charge.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
If you are convicted of a drunk or drugged driving offense with a child in your vehicle, what can the judge do?
- Triple your fine and jail time
- Double your fine and jail time
- Double your jail time but not your fine
- Suspend your license for life
Show answer
Correct answer: Double your fine and jail time
With a child in your vehicle, the judge can double your fine and jail time for a drunk or drugged driving conviction.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 34
-
According to the manual, alcohol and drugs make it how hard for you to drive safely?
- Slightly harder only at night
- A little harder only at high speeds
- Harder only on highways
- Very difficult or impossible
Show answer
Correct answer: Very difficult or impossible
Alcohol and drugs impair your ability to drive, making it very difficult or impossible to drive safely.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 33
-
Before you go out, the manual says to make a plan to get home safely and to do what?
- Designate a sober driver
- Eat a large meal first
- Limit yourself to one drink
- Drink coffee before driving
Show answer
Correct answer: Designate a sober driver
Before you go out, make a plan to get home safely and designate a sober driver.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 36
-
In Maryland, what do you agree to when you drive or attempt to drive on a road or private property used by the public?
- To let any officer search your vehicle without a reason
- To report to the MVA every time you drink alcohol
- To take a drug or alcohol test if an officer asks
- To retake the driving skills test whenever an officer asks
Show answer
Correct answer: To take a drug or alcohol test if an officer asks
Driving on a public road or private property used by the public means you consent to a drug or alcohol test if an officer asks.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 47
-
If a police officer has reason to believe you are driving while impaired, whom may the officer have request that you submit to a blood test?
- A licensed driving instructor
- A drug recognition expert
- An MVA branch manager
- A court-appointed driver evaluator
Show answer
Correct answer: A drug recognition expert
The officer may have a drug recognition expert request that you submit to a blood test.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 47
-
For a driver 21 or older, a blood alcohol concentration of what level or higher results in suspension of the license?
- .02 percent
- .05 percent
- .10 percent
- .08 percent
Show answer
Correct answer: .08 percent
Your license will be suspended if your blood alcohol concentration is .08 percent or higher.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 47
-
What will the MVA do if you are impaired with drugs in your system?
- Suspend your license
- Issue a written warning only
- Cancel your license permanently
- Require only a new vision screening
Show answer
Correct answer: Suspend your license
The MVA will suspend your license if you are impaired with drugs in your system.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 48
-
What does the MVA do if a police officer submits a certified statement that you refused a drug or alcohol test?
- It sends a warning letter only
- It requires you to retake the knowledge test
- It suspends your license
- It restricts your license to daytime driving
Show answer
Correct answer: It suspends your license
If a police officer submits a certified statement that you refused a test, the MVA will suspend your license.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 48
-
If you lie about your age to purchase, possess, or acquire alcohol, what else may happen in addition to the other penalties?
- Your license is limited to daytime driving
- Only the seller of the alcohol is penalized
- You must retake only the vision screening
- Your driver’s license may be suspended
Show answer
Correct answer: Your driver’s license may be suspended
In addition to other penalties, your driver’s license may be suspended for lying about your age to get alcohol.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 48
-
If you are caught drinking and driving, what will you have to install?
- A GPS tracker that reports the location of your vehicle to the MVA
- A breathalyzer car lock that prevents starting the vehicle if alcohol is detected
- A dashboard camera that records every trip you take in your own vehicle
- A device that limits the speed of your vehicle to 55 miles per hour
Show answer
Correct answer: A breathalyzer car lock that prevents starting the vehicle if alcohol is detected
A driver caught drinking and driving must install a breathalyzer car lock that prevents starting the vehicle if alcohol is detected.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 50