Alcohol, implied consent and under 21 rules

Key points

1. Impaired drivers kill someone every 51 minutes, nearly 28 people a day.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “Impaired drivers continue to kill someone every 51 minutes, nearly 28 people a day, and almost 10,000 citizens a year.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 15

2. Almost 45 percent of Alaska traffic deaths each year involve alcohol.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “Almost 45 percent of all traffic deaths each year involve alcohol.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 19

3. Judgment is the first ability impaired by alcohol.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “A person’s judgment is the first ability impaired by drinking alcohol.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 18

4. 12 ounces of beer, a 1 1/2 ounce shot of 80 proof liquor and 4 ounces of wine have the same alcohol.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “The same amount of alcohol is present in 12 ounces of beer as in a single shot (1 1/2 ounce) of 80 proof alcohol or 4 ounces of wine.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 18

5. It takes about one hour to cancel the effects of one drink.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “It takes an average of one hour to cancel the effects of one drink.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 18

6. By driving in Alaska you consent to a breath test after a lawful DUI arrest.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “When you operate or drive a motor vehicle in the State of Alaska, you are consenting to a chemical test of your breath”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 14

7. Refusing the test brings 2 criminal charges, DUI and Refusal.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Refusal to submit to chemical testing will result in two criminal charges - DUI and Refusal - which the court can treat separately.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 14

8. A minor who drives after any alcohol, or refuses a test, is revoked: 30 days first, then 60 days, 90 days, 1 year.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “30 days for a first offense • 60 days if you have been previously revoked for this offense. • 90 days if you have two previous revocations for this offense. • 1 year if you have three or more previous revocations”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 16

9. A minor operating after drinking faces community service and/or a fine up to $1,000.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “Upon conviction, the court must order community service and/or a fine up to $1,000.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 16

10. Using a false license to get alcohol means revocation for 60 days, then 1 year.

    Source: Handbook p. 16

    “The revocation periods are 60 days for a first offense and 1 year for subsequent offenses.”
    Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 16

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Alaska practice test

1. 1. How often do impaired drivers kill someone, according to the Alaska manual?

   1. Every 10 minutes
   2. Once a week
   3. Once a month
   4. Every 51 minutes, nearly 28 people a day and almost 10,000 a year
   Show answer

   Every 51 minutes, nearly 28 people a day and almost 10,000 a year. Impaired drivers continue to kill someone every 51 minutes, nearly 28 people a day and almost 10,000 citizens a year, and about 97 percent of Americans see drinking and driving as a threat to themselves and their families. The manual adds that for the cost of a first DUI you could ride 11,370 miles in a taxi. A sober ride is always cheaper.

2. 2. According to the Alaska manual, how much alcohol is in 12 ounces of beer compared with liquor and wine?

   1. Half as much as a shot
   2. Twice as much as a glass of wine
   3. The same as a 1.5 ounce shot of 80 proof liquor or 4 ounces of wine
   4. Almost none
   Show answer

   The same as a 1.5 ounce shot of 80 proof liquor or 4 ounces of wine. The same amount of alcohol is present in 12 ounces of beer as in a single 1.5 ounce shot of 80 proof alcohol or 4 ounces of wine. A drink is a drink regardless of the container, so switching to beer does not make a driver safer. The body eliminates alcohol at a fixed rate, and only time lowers blood alcohol.

3. 3. Under Alaska's under-21 alcohol rule, what happens if a person under 21 operates a vehicle after consuming any alcohol?

   1. The person receives only a warning on a first occasion
   2. The person is lawful until reaching .08
   3. The rule applies only when a crash occurs
   4. The person can be arrested or cited for minor operating after consuming alcohol
   Show answer

   The person can be arrested or cited for minor operating after consuming alcohol. Alaska prohibits a person under 21 from operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol in any amount. The manual says that person can be arrested or cited for minor operating after consuming alcohol, so the adult .08 threshold does not provide a safe allowance. A crash is not required, and the rule is not limited to repeat conduct. For study purposes, pair under 21 with any amount, then remember that refusal or a positive breath result can also trigger license revocation.

Source: the Alaska Driver Manual, Alcohol, Drugs and Driving. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.