TABC Certification Practice Test (Texas) 2026: Practice test 3

Practice test 3 of 3 for the TABC Certification Practice Test (Texas): 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Alcohol server
Texas
78 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
Why is it dangerous to mix alcohol with sleeping pills, anxiety medicine or opioids?
- It has no effect
- The medicine cancels out the alcohol
- It makes the person more alert
- Together they can slow breathing to a dangerous level
Show answer
Answer: D. Together they can slow breathing to a dangerous level
Alcohol and these drugs both slow the brain and body. Combined, they can cause overdose.
Question 2 of 25
In many states, how do driver's licenses for people under 21 look different?
- They are always red
- They are vertical (portrait) instead of horizontal
- They have no photo
- They are made of paper
Show answer
Answer: B. They are vertical (portrait) instead of horizontal
Many states print vertical cards for drivers under 21 so servers can spot them quickly. Always check the date of birth too.
Question 3 of 25
Which of these actually lowers a person's BAC?
- Fresh air
- Time
- A cold shower
- Black coffee
Show answer
Answer: B. Time
Only time lowers BAC as the liver breaks down alcohol. Coffee and cold showers do not sober a person up.
Question 4 of 25
Which of these is one U.S. standard drink of beer?
- 16 ounces of regular beer
- 32 ounces of light beer
- 12 ounces of regular beer (about 5% alcohol)
- 24 ounces of regular beer
Show answer
Answer: C. 12 ounces of regular beer (about 5% alcohol)
A 12-ounce serving of regular beer at about 5% alcohol is one standard drink.
Question 5 of 25
A customer shows a real license, but the photo looks like an older sibling. What type of fake ID might this be?
- A borrowed ID
- A temporary ID
- A counterfeit ID
- An expired ID
Show answer
Answer: A. A borrowed ID
Using someone else's real ID is a borrowed ID. Compare the face, height and other details, and refuse if they do not match.
Question 6 of 25
Which behavior shows a customer's judgment is impaired?
- Making rude comments or buying drinks for strangers
- Speaking quietly
- Leaving a tip
- Asking about the menu
Show answer
Answer: A. Making rude comments or buying drinks for strangers
Impaired judgment shows up as careless spending, rude or risky behavior, and drinking faster.
Question 7 of 25
What is the best way to decide whether a customer is becoming intoxicated?
- Watch for changes in behavior compared with when they arrived
- Judge by their age
- Count only the drinks you served
- Ask them if they feel drunk
Show answer
Answer: A. Watch for changes in behavior compared with when they arrived
People react to alcohol differently. A change from their normal behavior, together with how many drinks they have had, is the best guide.
Question 8 of 25
After you cut off a customer, who should you tell?
- Only the kitchen
- Your manager and co-workers
- No one
- The customer's friends, so they can order for them
Show answer
Answer: B. Your manager and co-workers
Letting the team know stops the customer from getting alcohol from another server or bartender.
Question 9 of 25
What is the risk of serving alcohol mixed with energy drinks?
- Energy drinks lower BAC
- They make the alcohol weaker
- Caffeine can hide how drunk a person is, so they may keep drinking
- Caffeine removes alcohol from the blood
Show answer
Answer: C. Caffeine can hide how drunk a person is, so they may keep drinking
Caffeine may make a person feel alert, but it does not reduce impairment or BAC.
Question 10 of 25
Which sign shows a customer is losing coordination?
- Stumbling, swaying or spilling drinks
- Using their phone
- Holding a conversation
- Sitting still at the bar
Show answer
Answer: A. Stumbling, swaying or spilling drinks
Loss of coordination is a serious sign that a person is already intoxicated.
Question 11 of 25
A regular customer with a high tolerance shows few signs after several drinks. What is true?
- They cannot become intoxicated
- Tolerance makes the liver work twice as fast
- Their BAC can be high even though they seem sober
- Their BAC is lower than other people's
Show answer
Answer: C. Their BAC can be high even though they seem sober
Tolerance can hide the signs of intoxication but does not lower BAC. The customer is still impaired.
Question 12 of 25
A customer orders a 16-ounce pint of regular beer (5% alcohol). About how many standard drinks is that?
- About 2
- Exactly 1
- About 3
- About 1.3
Show answer
Answer: D. About 1.3
One standard drink of beer is 12 ounces, so 16 ounces is about 1.3 standard drinks.
Question 13 of 25
What can happen if a server sells alcohol to a person under 21?
- The minor is the only one punished
- The server gets a warning only from the customer
- The server can be charged with a crime and the business can lose its license for a time
- Nothing, if the minor looked old
Show answer
Answer: C. The server can be charged with a crime and the business can lose its license for a time
Selling to a minor is a crime in every state, and the license holder can face fines, suspension or revocation.
Question 14 of 25
Which sign shows a customer's reactions have slowed?
- Laughing at a joke
- Reading the menu
- Walking quickly to the restroom
- Slurred speech and losing their train of thought
Show answer
Answer: D. Slurred speech and losing their train of thought
Slow reactions include slurred or slow speech, glassy eyes and delayed responses.
Question 15 of 25
What is the BAC limit for drivers 21 and older in almost every state?
- 0.10%
- 0.08%
- 0.15%
- 0.02%
Show answer
Answer: B. 0.08%
It is illegal in every state to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Utah has a lower limit of 0.05%.
Question 16 of 25
A customer shows a driver's license that expired last year. What is the safest choice?
- Accept it if they are with friends
- Accept it because the photo matches
- Accept it if they tip well
- Do not accept it and ask for a valid ID
Show answer
Answer: D. Do not accept it and ask for a valid ID
Many states and most employers require a valid, unexpired ID. Expired cards are easier to misuse.
Question 17 of 25
What does the star on a REAL ID card tell you?
- The person is over 21
- The person is a veteran
- The person may buy alcohol in any state
- The card meets federal REAL ID security standards; it does not show age
Show answer
Answer: D. The card meets federal REAL ID security standards; it does not show age
The star marks a REAL ID-compliant card. You still need to check the date of birth.
Question 18 of 25
What tone should you use when you refuse to serve a customer?
- Loud, so other customers hear
- Joking, so it does not seem serious
- Unsure, so they can change your mind
- Calm, polite and firm
Show answer
Answer: D. Calm, polite and firm
A calm, firm and polite refusal reduces conflict and makes clear the decision is final.
Question 19 of 25
About how much malt liquor (about 7% alcohol) is one standard drink?
- 16 ounces
- 12 ounces
- 4 ounces
- 8 to 9 ounces
Show answer
Answer: D. 8 to 9 ounces
Malt liquor is stronger than regular beer. At about 7% alcohol, roughly 8 to 9 ounces holds the 0.6 ounces of alcohol in one standard drink.
Question 20 of 25
Two customers drink the same amount in the same time. Who will usually have the higher BAC?
- The person drinking light beer
- They will always be the same
- The smaller, lighter person
- The larger, heavier person
Show answer
Answer: C. The smaller, lighter person
A smaller person has less body water to dilute alcohol, so the same amount produces a higher BAC.
Question 21 of 25
Why should a very intoxicated person not be left alone to "sleep it off"?
- They might wake up hungry
- They will sober up faster with company
- It is only a problem if they are under 21
- Their BAC can keep rising and they could choke or stop breathing
Show answer
Answer: D. Their BAC can keep rising and they could choke or stop breathing
BAC can keep rising after drinking stops. A person who passes out can choke on vomit or stop breathing.
Question 22 of 25
How much 80-proof distilled spirits is one standard drink?
- 5 ounces
- 1 ounce
- 3 ounces
- 1.5 ounces
Show answer
Answer: D. 1.5 ounces
A 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof (40% alcohol) spirits such as vodka, gin, rum or whiskey is one standard drink.
Question 23 of 25
Which of these can be a sign of a fake or altered ID?
- Raised edges, bumps, or numbers that look scratched or changed
- A clear, sharp photo
- A smooth, even surface
- Security features that change with the light
Show answer
Answer: A. Raised edges, bumps, or numbers that look scratched or changed
Feel the card and look closely. Cuts, peeling lamination, blurry print or changed numbers can mean tampering.
Question 24 of 25
A customer seems far more drunk than the one drink she had would explain. What should you suspect?
- Nothing unusual is happening
- She is faking it
- She has a high tolerance
- Her drink may have been drugged, so keep her safe and get help
Show answer
Answer: D. Her drink may have been drugged, so keep her safe and get help
Sudden, severe impairment after little alcohol can be a sign of drink spiking. Tell a manager, do not leave her alone, and call 911 if needed.
Question 25 of 25
Which kinds of consequences can a server face for illegal alcohol service?
- Criminal charges, civil lawsuits and penalties against the license
- None, only the owner is ever responsible
- Only a verbal warning
- Only losing tips
Show answer
Answer: A. Criminal charges, civil lawsuits and penalties against the license
Illegal sales can lead to criminal charges, administrative penalties such as license suspension, and civil lawsuits.

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