Maryland · Safe Driving Practices · Question 3 of 8
Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs is illegal in Maryland when a driver under 21 has a blood alcohol concentration of:
- A. 0.10% or higher
- B. 0.08% or higher
- C. 0.02% or higher
- D. Any detectable amount under zero tolerance Correct answer
Why this is the right answer
Maryland enforces a zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21. Any measurable amount of alcohol can result in license suspension. The 0.08% adult limit also applies to those 21 and older.
How this question shows up on the Maryland permit test
Questions in the safe driving practices category are common on the Maryland learner permit exam. The exam tests your knowledge of the Maryland Driver Handbook, and topics like this one show up in multiple forms: sometimes as a direct rule, sometimes as a real-world scenario, and sometimes as a "which of the following is NOT correct" question, which trips up readers who skim. Read every choice carefully and watch for the words "always," "never," and "only."
If you missed this question, do not just memorize the answer — re-read the explanation and try to put the rule in your own words. Study research consistently shows that explaining a rule out loud locks it in much better than rereading the same text.
For a deeper walkthrough of safe driving practices on the permit test, read our complete guide to Safe Driving Practices.