Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

TRUE OR FALSE: A PBT must be administered during a DUI stop if it is available.

1. True

2. False

3. Only for commercial drivers

4. Only during arrests

The correct answer is: True

The statement is true because law enforcement is typically trained to administer a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) during a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) stop when the device is available. The purpose of the PBT is to provide the officer with a preliminary assessment of the driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and help determine whether further actions, such as arresting the driver or conducting more thorough testing, are warranted. While there may be certain scenarios where a PBT is not used, such as if the officer has other sufficient evidence to make an arrest, in general practice, if the PBT is available and the officer has reasonable cause to suspect that a driver is over the legal limit, they will usually administer the test. This approach helps in enforcing DUI laws and aids in making informed decisions at the roadside, enhancing public safety and potentially preventing impaired driving incidents. Other answer choices do not align with the general protocols of DUI stops. For instance, the notion that a PBT is only administered for commercial drivers or only during arrests does not accurately reflect standard practices used by law enforcement during DUI investigations. A PBT is typically available for any driver suspected of DUI, regardless of their commercial status or whether an arrest is made immediately.