DC ABC Manager Alcohol Training Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   How much 80-proof distilled spirits is one standard drink?

   • A5 ounces
   • B1 ounce
   • C3 ounces
   • D1.5 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   How did the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 lead all states to adopt age 21?

   • AIt created a national ID card
   • BIt made 21 a federal criminal law
   • CIt reduced federal highway funds for states with a lower age
   • DIt banned alcohol sales to everyone under 25
   Show answer

   Answer: C. It reduced federal highway funds for states with a lower age

   The law did not set the age directly. States that kept a purchase age under 21 lost part of their federal highway money, so every state adopted 21.

3. Question 3 of 25

   A customer orders a 16-ounce pint of regular beer (5% alcohol). About how many standard drinks is that?

   • AAbout 2
   • BExactly 1
   • CAbout 3
   • DAbout 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   A visibly intoxicated customer wants to drive home. What should you do?

   • AHelp arrange a safe ride, involve your manager, and call police if they drive
   • BHand over their keys
   • CGive them a coffee first
   • DLet them go so there is no scene
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Help arrange a safe ride, involve your manager, and call police if they drive

   Preventing drunk driving protects the customer, the public and the business. Offer a taxi, rideshare or sober driver.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Which of these can be a sign of a fake or altered ID?

   • ARaised edges, bumps, or numbers that look scratched or changed
   • BA clear, sharp photo
   • CA smooth, even surface
   • DSecurity 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Why should you write refusals and incidents in an incident log?

   • AIt records what happened and shows you acted responsibly
   • BIt is used to split tips
   • CIt is required to sell more drinks
   • DIt is needed to charge the customer
   Show answer

   Answer: A. It records what happened and shows you acted responsibly

   A written record made at the time can help protect you and the business if there is a complaint, an inspection or a lawsuit.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Which sign shows a customer's reactions have slowed?

   • ALaughing at a joke
   • BReading the menu
   • CWalking quickly to the restroom
   • DSlurred 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Which drinking behavior is a warning sign of over-consumption?

   • AOrdering water with a drink
   • BOrdering food
   • CGulping drinks or ordering doubles
   • DSipping a drink slowly
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Gulping drinks or ordering doubles

   Drinking fast or ordering stronger drinks raises BAC quickly. Slow service and offer food or water.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which sign shows a customer is losing coordination?

   • AStumbling, swaying or spilling drinks
   • BUsing their phone
   • CHolding a conversation
   • DSitting 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    About how much malt liquor (about 7% alcohol) is one standard drink?

    • A16 ounces
    • B12 ounces
    • C4 ounces
    • D8 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does "80 proof" on a bottle of liquor mean?

    • AIt is 8% alcohol by volume
    • BIt is 40% alcohol by volume
    • CIt is 80% alcohol by volume
    • DIt has been tested 80 times
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It is 40% alcohol by volume

    In the U.S., proof is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume, so 80 proof means 40% alcohol.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What is the minimum legal age to buy alcohol in the United States?

    • AIt depends on the type of drink
    • B21 in every state
    • C18 in every state
    • D19 in most states
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 21 in every state

    Every state sets 21 as the minimum legal age to buy or publicly possess alcohol.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Two customers drink the same amount in the same time. Who will usually have the higher BAC?

    • AThe person drinking light beer
    • BThey will always be the same
    • CThe smaller, lighter person
    • DThe 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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Today is June 10, 2026. A customer must be born on or before which date to be 21?

    • AJune 11, 2005
    • BJune 10, 2005
    • CJune 10, 2004
    • DJune 10, 2006
    Show answer

    Answer: B. June 10, 2005

    Subtract 21 years from today's date. Anyone born on or before June 10, 2005 is at least 21 on June 10, 2026.

15. Question 15 of 25

    In many states, how do driver's licenses for people under 21 look different?

    • AThey are always red
    • BThey are vertical (portrait) instead of horizontal
    • CThey have no photo
    • DThey 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.

16. Question 16 of 25

    A customer walks in already visibly intoxicated. What should you do?

    • AServe them after they eat a snack
    • BServe them one drink
    • CDo not serve them alcohol
    • DServe them light beer only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Do not serve them alcohol

    Most states prohibit serving a visibly or obviously intoxicated person, no matter where they did their drinking.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Which of these is a sign of alcohol overdose (alcohol poisoning)?

    • ATalking with friends
    • BLaughing loudly
    • CSlow or irregular breathing
    • DAsking for the check
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slow or irregular breathing

    Signs include confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, clammy skin, very low body temperature and trouble staying awake.

18. Question 18 of 25

    A guest cannot be woken up and is breathing slowly. What should you do first?

    • ALet them sleep it off in a back room
    • BGive them coffee
    • CCall 911 and stay with them
    • DPut them in a cold shower
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Call 911 and stay with them

    These are signs of alcohol overdose, which can kill. Call 911, do not leave them alone, and keep them on their side if they vomit.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Roughly how much alcohol can the liver clear in one hour?

    • ARoughly three standard drinks per hour
    • BAll of it within one hour of the last drink
    • CRoughly one standard drink per hour
    • DIt depends only on how much water the person drinks
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Roughly one standard drink per hour

    The liver breaks down alcohol at a slow, fixed rate, roughly one standard drink an hour. Nothing speeds this up.

20. Question 20 of 25

    An adult orders two beers and passes one to a young-looking friend. What should you do?

    • AAsk the friend for ID and refuse the drink if they are under 21
    • BServe both, as long as they are with an adult
    • CServe both, since the adult paid
    • DLook away
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Ask the friend for ID and refuse the drink if they are under 21

    Supplying alcohol to a minor through another adult is still illegal. Watch for drinks being passed to young customers.

21. Question 21 of 25

    After you cut off a customer, who should you tell?

    • AOnly the kitchen
    • BYour manager and co-workers
    • CNo one
    • DThe 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does the star on a REAL ID card tell you?

    • AThe person is over 21
    • BThe person is a veteran
    • CThe person may buy alcohol in any state
    • DThe 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What is the federal BAC limit for commercial drivers, such as truck drivers, while on duty?

    • A0.04%
    • B0.02%
    • C0.08%
    • D0.10%
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 0.04%

    Federal rules prohibit commercial drivers from performing safety-sensitive duties with a BAC of 0.04% or more.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Why is it dangerous to mix alcohol with sleeping pills, anxiety medicine or opioids?

    • AIt has no effect
    • BThe medicine cancels out the alcohol
    • CIt makes the person more alert
    • DTogether 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.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What is the best way to decide whether a customer is becoming intoxicated?

    • AWatch for changes in behavior compared with when they arrived
    • BJudge by their age
    • CCount only the drinks you served
    • DAsk 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.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.