Safe Driving Guide · Western Australia

Alcohol (part 1 of 2): Western Australia safe driving

Key points on alcohol for the Western Australia learner test. Each answer is checked against the official Western Australia handbook or road rules; use the practice-question links to test yourself.

What does your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measure?

Answer: The amount of alcohol in your blood

BAC is the proportion of alcohol in your bloodstream. It is the figure police breath tests are designed to measure.

Practice question 319 · official source

Which is the ONLY thing that lowers your blood alcohol concentration?

Answer: Allowing enough time to pass

Nothing speeds up how fast your body removes alcohol. Coffee, a shower, fresh air or a big meal will not sober you up.

Practice question 320 · official source

After a heavy night of drinking, when is it safe to drive the next morning?

Answer: Only when your BAC is back under your limit, which may take hours

You can still be over the limit for much of the next day. Feeling fine does not mean your BAC is low enough.

Practice question 321 · official source

Which of these is an effect of alcohol on a driver?

Answer: It makes it harder to judge speed and distance

Alcohol is a depressant. It slows the brain, reduces judgement of speed and distance, and makes it harder to do two things at once.

Practice question 322 · official source

Alcohol gives some drivers false confidence. What is the risk?

Answer: They take bigger risks because they think they drive better

Alcohol can make you believe your driving is better than it is, so you accept risks you would normally avoid.

Practice question 323 · official source

Why can't you reliably work out your own BAC by counting your drinks?

Answer: Body size, tiredness and drink sizes all change your BAC

Your weight, how tired you are and the size of the serves all affect BAC, so the only way to be sure is not to drink if you will drive.

Practice question 324 · official source

You plan to drink at a party tonight. What is the safest plan?

Answer: Arrange a way home that does not involve you driving

Plan before you drink. If you intend to drink, organise a lift, taxi, rideshare or public transport home.

Practice question 325 · official source

A friend who has been drinking says they feel fine and offers you a lift. What should you do?

Answer: Decline and find another safe way home

Feeling fine is not a reliable test. Alcohol affects judgement, reactions and concentration even at low levels.

Practice question 326 · official source

How much pure alcohol does one standard drink contain in Australia?

Answer: 10 grams

A standard drink always contains 10 grams of alcohol, whatever the type of drink or the size of the glass.

Practice question 327 · official source

How can you reduce the alcohol in your blood before driving?

Answer: Wait, as only time will lower it

Nothing speeds up how fast your body clears alcohol. Only time reduces your blood alcohol concentration.

Practice question 328 · official source