North Carolina: Alcohol & drugs — Part 1 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “For a provisional licensee, how much alcohol or drugs is it unlawful to have consumed before or while driving?” · “What do DWI laws allow enforcement agencies to set up to check for impaired drivers?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "North Carolina Driver Handbook" (Revised May 2025), North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV).
All 22 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.
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A conviction of a provisional licensee for driving after or while consuming any amount of alcohol or drugs results in:
- A 30-day license suspension
- A one-year license revocation
- A six-month license revocation
- A 90-day license suspension
Show answer
Correct answer: A one-year license revocation
The manual says such a conviction results in a one-year license revocation.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 14 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 14)
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For a provisional licensee, how much alcohol or drugs is it unlawful to have consumed before or while driving?
- More than 0.08 blood alcohol concentration
- More than 0.04 blood alcohol concentration
- More than 0.15 blood alcohol concentration
- Any amount
Show answer
Correct answer: Any amount
The manual says it is unlawful for a provisional licensee to drive after or while consuming any amount of alcohol or drugs.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 14 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 14)
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At what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) does the manual say everyone's driving is impaired?
- 0.08 percent
- 0.05 percent
- 0.10 percent
- 0.15 percent
Show answer
Correct answer: 0.08 percent
The manual states that everyone's driving is impaired at a BAC of 0.08 percent.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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According to the manual, the risk of being involved in a crash increases when the alcohol level reaches what BAC?
- 0.02 percent
- 0.04 percent
- 0.05 percent
- 0.10 percent
Show answer
Correct answer: 0.05 percent
Research cited in the manual shows the crash risk increases at 0.05 percent, and at 0.08 percent the risk of a fatal crash is even greater.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What did the Safe Roads Act of 1983 replace the previous drunk driving laws with?
- Two offenses, one for alcohol and one for drugs
- A single offense called Driving While Impaired (DWI)
- Separate offenses for first and repeat offenders
- A separate offense for each blood alcohol level
Show answer
Correct answer: A single offense called Driving While Impaired (DWI)
The act repealed all previous drunk driving laws and replaced them with the single offense of Driving While Impaired.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What happens if you refuse to perform a chemical test required after a DWI charge?
- Immediate license revocation for at least 30 days, with no additional revocation by the DMV
- Immediate license revocation for at least 90 days, plus an additional six-month revocation by the DMV
- No revocation until a court hearing, and then a revocation of at least 12 months only
- Immediate license revocation for at least 30 days, plus an additional minimum 12-month revocation by the DMV
Show answer
Correct answer: Immediate license revocation for at least 30 days, plus an additional minimum 12-month revocation by the DMV
Refusing a required test brings an immediate revocation of at least 30 days and an additional minimum 12-month revocation by the DMV.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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In certain instances, after how much of the willful refusal revocation has elapsed may a judge issue a limited driving privilege?
- Six months
- 30 days
- Three months
- One year
Show answer
Correct answer: Six months
The manual says that in certain instances a judge may issue a limited driving privilege after six months of the willful refusal revocation have elapsed.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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If a chemical test shows a BAC of 0.08 percent or more, your driving privilege is revoked immediately for at least how long?
- 60 days
- Six months
- 30 days
- One year
Show answer
Correct answer: 30 days
A test result of 0.08 percent or more brings an immediate revocation for a minimum of 30 days.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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Driving while impaired can be proven by a BAC of what level or more for a driver of a commercial motor vehicle?
- 0.02
- 0.04
- 0.08
- 0.10
Show answer
Correct answer: 0.04
For a commercial motor vehicle driver, DWI can be proven with a BAC of 0.04 or more instead of 0.08.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What can be used as evidence in court against a driver charged with DWI?
- Only the chemical test results, never a refusal
- Neither the test results nor a refusal to take the test
- Only test results showing a BAC of 0.15 or more
- The test results or a refusal to take the test
Show answer
Correct answer: The test results or a refusal to take the test
The manual says the test results, or the fact that you refused the test, are admissible as evidence in court.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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Which is one way that driving while impaired can be proven?
- By proving the driver is appreciably impaired in physical or mental fitness by alcohol or drugs
- By proving the driver was stopped at a road block set up by an enforcement agency
- By proving the driver has a prior DWI conviction within the past seven years
- By proving the driver had an open container of alcohol in the passenger area
Show answer
Correct answer: By proving the driver is appreciably impaired in physical or mental fitness by alcohol or drugs
The manual lists impairment of physical or mental fitness by alcohol, drugs or both as one of two ways to prove DWI.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What do DWI laws allow enforcement agencies to set up to check for impaired drivers?
- Random home visits
- Mandatory rest stops
- Road blocks
- Testing stations at DMV offices
Show answer
Correct answer: Road blocks
The manual states that DWI laws allow enforcement agencies to set up road blocks to check for impaired drivers.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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Which alcoholic drinks do DWI laws prohibit a driver from consuming while driving?
- Only liquor and wine, not beer
- Any alcoholic beverage, including beer
- Only drinks with more than 0.08 percent alcohol
- Only drinks consumed after a chemical test
Show answer
Correct answer: Any alcoholic beverage, including beer
DWI laws prohibit consuming any alcoholic beverage, including beer, while driving.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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Under DWI laws, where is it prohibited to transport an open container of an alcoholic beverage?
- Only in the driver's seat area
- Only on highways with a speed limit above 55 mph
- Only while the vehicle is moving at night
- In the vehicle, including the passenger area of the car
Show answer
Correct answer: In the vehicle, including the passenger area of the car
The law prohibits transporting an open container of any alcoholic beverage, including in the passenger area of the car.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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In the passenger area of a commercial motor vehicle on a highway, possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited when the container is which of these?
- Open or closed
- Open only
- Open and more than half full
- Closed and unopened only
Show answer
Correct answer: Open or closed
The law prohibits possession of alcoholic beverages, open or closed, in the passenger area of a commercial motor vehicle.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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Which persons must serve a jail sentence under DWI laws?
- Persons convicted of DWI for the first time
- Only persons convicted of DWI with a BAC of 0.15 or more
- Persons convicted of DWI for the second time
- Only persons who refused a chemical test
Show answer
Correct answer: Persons convicted of DWI for the second time
DWI laws require persons convicted of DWI for the second time to serve a jail sentence.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What must persons with lower BACs do under DWI laws?
- Serve a jail sentence
- Attend alcohol safety schools
- Install an ignition interlock device
- Surrender their vehicle
Show answer
Correct answer: Attend alcohol safety schools
DWI laws require persons with lower BACs to attend alcohol safety schools.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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Who must be checked to see if they have an alcohol problem under DWI laws?
- All drivers stopped at road blocks
- Only drivers who are under 21
- Only drivers who refused a chemical test
- Repeat DWI offenders and persons with high BACs
Show answer
Correct answer: Repeat DWI offenders and persons with high BACs
DWI laws require repeat DWI offenders or persons with high BACs to be checked for an alcohol problem.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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What must anyone convicted of DWI obtain before their driving privileges are reinstated?
- A substance abuse assessment
- A letter from an employer
- A new vehicle registration
- Proof of a completed driving test
Show answer
Correct answer: A substance abuse assessment
DWI laws require a substance abuse assessment before reinstatement of driving privileges.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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What may the court order if you are convicted of DWI while your license is revoked for an earlier DWI conviction?
- Your vehicle registration suspended for 30 days
- Your vehicle fitted with a speed limiter
- Your vehicle seized and sold
- Your vehicle held by police for one year and returned
Show answer
Correct answer: Your vehicle seized and sold
The manual says the court may order the vehicle seized and sold in that situation.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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What is the mandatory driver license revocation period for a first DWI conviction?
- 30 days
- One year
- Four years
- Permanent revocation
Show answer
Correct answer: One year
A first DWI conviction brings a mandatory one-year revocation.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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What is the mandatory revocation for a second DWI conviction when a prior offense occurred within three years of the current offense?
- One year
- Two years
- Permanent revocation
- Four years
Show answer
Correct answer: Four years
A second conviction with a prior offense within three years brings a mandatory four-year revocation.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)