What kind of drug is alcohol?
- A pain reliever that sharpens focus
- A stimulant
- A depressant
- An energy booster
Show the answer
A depressant
Alcohol slows the nervous system; the lift people feel comes from lowered inhibitions.
Tennessee Alcohol & Drugs practice test
Practice blood alcohol limits, DUI rules and medication: 40 questions based on the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, 26 of them on Tennessee's own rules.
Key Tennessee facts: Alcohol & Drugs
- The law requires 25 percent or more of the knowledge test questions to cover impaired driving from drugs or alcohol. Section B, Chapter 7, Impaired Driving (p. 79)
- A BAC of .08 percent means about eight drops of alcohol for every 10,000 drops of blood; in Tennessee .08 is always illegal. Section B, Chapter 7, What Is Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)? (p. 79)
- Having a prescription for a drug is no legal defense to driving under its influence. Section B, Chapter 7, "Every Day" Drugs (p. 81)
- A driver can be convicted of DUI with a BAC of .00 percent when drugs impaired the driving; a BAC under .08 does not clear a driver. Section B, Chapter 7, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol (p. 81)
- Tennessee's DUI law covers public roads and also places such as shopping centers, trailer parks and apartment complexes that the public uses. Section B, Chapter 7, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol (p. 81)
Sample Alcohol & Drugs questions
A 15-year-old with no license is found possessing alcohol. How long is the driving privilege suspended?
- Two years or until age 21
- Six months
- Until age 16
- One year, or until age 17 if that is later
Show the answer
One year, or until age 17 if that is later
Juveniles 13 to 17 lose the privilege for a year or until 17, even if never licensed.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 7, Under 21 Laws (p. 83)
A driver is convicted of DUI while a child under 18 was in the car. What is added to the other penalties?
- 48 hours in jail instead of other penalties
- A $50 fine
- A written warning
- At least 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine
Show the answer
At least 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine
The child endangerment law adds a mandatory 30 days and $1,000 on top of the DUI penalties.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 7, Child Endangerment (p. 82)
The medicine that impaired your driving was prescribed by your doctor. Is that a defense to a Tennessee DUI charge?
- Yes, always
- Yes, if you carry the bottle
- Only for a first offense
- No, a prescription is no defense
Show the answer
No, a prescription is no defense
Tennessee law gives no DUI defense for a prescribed drug that impairs your driving.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 7, "Every Day" Drugs (p. 81)
A 19-year-old is convicted of buying alcohol while on foot, not driving. What happens to their driving privilege?
- It is lost for one year
- It is lost until age 25
- It is lost for 30 days
- Nothing, since no car was involved
Show the answer
It is lost for one year
For ages 18 to 20 an alcohol purchase or possession conviction costs the license for a year, driving or not.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 7, Under 21 Laws (p. 83)
Two people weigh the same and drink the same amount. Who usually shows signs of intoxication first?
- The one with more body fat
- Neither; their BAC is always equal
- The one with less body fat
- The taller one
Show the answer
The one with more body fat
Alcohol mixes with water, not fat, so the person with more body fat has less water to dilute it.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 7, Body Weight and Fat (p. 79)
About how much alcohol can your liver process in one hour?
- Any amount, if you exercise
- About three drinks
- About one drink
- About half a bottle of wine
Show the answer
About one drink
The liver handles only about one drink per hour, and nothing you do speeds that up.
Besides jail and fines, what public task comes with a Tennessee DUI conviction?
- A week of painting road lines
- Three eight-hour shifts of litter pickup
- Ten hours of school bus monitoring
- One day of directing traffic
Show the answer
Three eight-hour shifts of litter pickup
Offenders pick up litter for three eight-hour shifts while wearing a vest that labels them a drunk driver.
What is the minimum jail time for a first DUI conviction in Tennessee when the BAC was under .20 percent?
- 24 hours
- 30 days
- 48 hours
- 7 days
Show the answer
48 hours
A first DUI carries at least 48 hours in jail.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 7, DUI Penalties table (p. 82)
What does Tennessee's No Refusal law allow officers to do?
- Breath-test every driver at any stop
- Search any car without a reason
- Seek a search warrant for a suspected impaired driver's blood
- Suspend a license on the spot for speeding
Show the answer
Seek a search warrant for a suspected impaired driver's blood
Since 2012 officers may ask for a warrant to take a blood sample from a suspected impaired driver.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 7, No Refusal Law (p. 81)
More Tennessee practice
- Full practice testAll topics, as in the knowledge test
- Road SignsWhat signs mean and what to do when you see them86 questions, 9 on Tennessee rules
- Right-of-WayWho goes first at intersections, crosswalks and roundabouts37 questions, 12 on Tennessee rules
- Traffic SignalsLights, arrows and pedestrian signals36 questions, 10 on Tennessee rules
- Lanes & TurnsLane markings, turns, passing and merging41 questions, 12 on Tennessee rules
- Speed LimitsLimits and how to adjust your speed24 questions, 12 on Tennessee rules
- ParkingCurb colors, hills and where you can't park25 questions, 8 on Tennessee rules
- Safe DrivingFollowing distance, weather, night driving and sharing the road70 questions, 14 on Tennessee rules
- EmergenciesBreakdowns, emergency vehicles and railroad crossings30 questions, 10 on Tennessee rules
- License RulesPermits, restrictions for new drivers and points25 questions, 25 on Tennessee rules
- Insurance & CollisionsRequired coverage and what to do after a crash23 questions, 10 on Tennessee rules
- Phones & DistractionPhone rules and other distractions18 questions, 9 on Tennessee rules
About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (PDF printing of March 2025 (Authorization No. MT3Q28), information current as of July 1, 2022 per its notice, downloaded 2026-11-08 edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.