Safe Driving

How long does alcohol stay in your system?

Quick Answer

Your body eliminates alcohol at a fixed rate of about one standard drink per hour. A standard drink is 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, or 1.5 oz spirits. Starting BAC, body weight, and metabolism affect how long alcohol remains. You cannot speed up the process with coffee, food, water, or exercise.

Explanation

Your body eliminates alcohol at a fixed rate of about one standard drink per hour. A standard drink is 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, or 1.5 oz spirits. Starting BAC, body weight, and metabolism affect how long alcohol remains. You cannot speed up the process with coffee, food, water, or exercise. Understanding this concept is essential for safe driving and will help you answer similar questions on the DMV written test.

Why This Matters on the DMV Test

Questions about Safe Driving are among the most common on the permit test. Knowing the correct answer helps you pass your exam and stay safe on the road. Most states require a score of 70–83% to pass.

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