Alcohol, Testing and DUI Suspensions

Key points

1. Alcohol is involved in more than 40 percent of crashes in which someone is killed.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “Alcohol is involved in more than 40 percent of the traffic crashes in which someone is killed.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

2. One drink is 1.5 oz of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz of beer or a 5 oz glass of wine.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “An alcohol drink is: 1.5 oz. of 80-proof liquor (one shot glass) straight or with a mixer, 12 oz. of beer (a regular size can, bottle, mug, or glass), or a 5 oz. glass of wine.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

3. Only time sobers you up; coffee, fresh air and cold showers do not help.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “Coffee, fresh air, exercise, or cold showers will not help. Time is the only thing that will sober you up.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

4. After a DUI arrest you will be asked for a blood, breath or urine test showing your BAC.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “you will be asked to submit to a blood, breath, or urine test, which shows your blood alcohol content (BAC).”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

5. Failing the test suspends your license for at least 45 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “If you fail this test, your operator’s license will be suspended for at least 45 days.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

6. An ignition interlock is then required for at least 6 months, or longer with prior offenses.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “The IID will be required for at least six months or possibly more, depending on the number of prior offenses”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

7. Refusing a test, at any age, means at least a 45 day suspension and at least 1 year of interlock.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “Regardless of age, if you refuse to take a test, your operator’s license will be suspended for at least 45 days. You will be required to install and maintain an ignition interlock device (IID) as a condition of reinstatement. The IID will be required for at least one year”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Connecticut practice test

1. 1. What does the chemical test requested after a DUI arrest show?

   1. The vehicle's emissions level
   2. The driver's blood alcohol content
   3. The driver's vision acuity
   4. The vehicle's tire pressure
   Show answer

   The driver's blood alcohol content. After an arrest for driving under the influence, the manual describes a blood, breath, or urine test that shows the driver's blood alcohol content. Emissions, vision, and tire pressure are unrelated measurements. This item tests what the chemical procedure measures, not the later suspension or interlock consequence. Remember the acronym BAC and connect it with blood alcohol content. Keeping the test purpose separate from the penalty timeline prevents mixing two different parts of the alcohol rules.

2. 2. What minimum suspension follows a refusal to take a chemical test?

   1. At least 15 days
   2. At least 45 days
   3. At least 90 days
   4. No suspension
   Show answer

   At least 45 days. Regardless of age, refusing the chemical test brings a license suspension of at least 45 days. The manual also describes an ignition interlock device as a condition of reinstatement, so refusal is not a way to avoid administrative consequences. The shorter and longer numbers are unsupported alternatives, and no suspension reverses the stated rule. When studying this item, focus first on the refusal trigger, then remember that the rule applies regardless of age.

3. 3. For a driver age 21 or older who fails a chemical test for the first time, what IID period is listed?

   1. Two years
   2. One year
   3. Six months
   4. Three years
   Show answer

   Six months. The adult first-offense baseline is at least six months with an ignition interlock device after a failed chemical test. One year is associated with the next adult tier or with the under-21 consequence, while two years belongs to a later adult tier. The age and offense history must be read together because Connecticut uses different periods for adults and drivers under 21. Use 21 or older plus first failure as the six-month cue.

Source: the Connecticut Driver's Manual, Your License and Law: Alcohol and the Law. 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.