RBS EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027!!
CALIFORNIA ABC RESPONSIBLE BEVERAGE SERVICE
75 Questions with Complete Solutions | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: ALCOHOL LAWS AND REGULATIONS (Questions 1-15)
1. What is the legal drinking age in the state of California?
A. 18 years old
B. 19 years old
C. 20 years old
D. 21 years old
Answer: D
Rationale: California Business and Professions Code Section 25658 establishes the legal
drinking age at 21. It is illegal to sell or furnish alcohol to anyone under 21.
2. In California, what are the legal hours for the sale of alcoholic beverages by an on-sale
licensee (e.g., a bar or restaurant)?
A. 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Midnight)
B. 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM
C. 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM
D. 24 hours a day
Answer: B
Rationale: California law allows the sale of alcohol between the hours of 6:00 AM and 2:00 AM
the following day. No sales are permitted between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM.
3. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding California's "Dram Shop" laws and civil
liability for servers?
,A. Servers are never liable for damages caused by intoxicated patrons.
B. Servers can be held liable for serving an obviously intoxicated person if that person
causes injury or death to a third party.
C. Servers are only liable if the patron is a minor.
D. Servers are only liable if the patron drives a vehicle.
Answer: B
Rationale: While California has historically limited "Dram Shop" liability, Business and
Professions Code Section 25602.1 allows for civil liability against licensees/servers who serve an
"obviously intoxicated" person who subsequently causes injury or death. Additionally, strict
liability exists for serving minors.
4. An on-sale general license allows an establishment to:
A. Sell alcohol only in sealed containers for consumption off the premises.
B. Sell all types of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
C. Sell only beer and wine for consumption on the premises.
D. Sell alcohol 24 hours a day.
Answer: B
Rationale: An "On-Sale General" license permits the sale of all types of alcoholic beverages
(beer, wine, and distilled spirits) to be consumed on the premises. An "On-Sale Beer and Wine"
license restricts sales to those two categories.
5. Under California law, what is the penalty for a server who furnishes alcohol to a minor?
A. A verbal warning only.
B. A fine of $250 to $1,000 and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first offense.
C. Revocation of the establishment's license only.
D. A fine of $100.
Answer: B
Rationale: According to B&P Code 25658(a), a first offense for selling/furnishing to a minor
carries a mandatory fine and community service. Subsequent offenses carry harsher penalties,
including potential jail time.
, 6. What constitutes "furnishing" alcohol to a minor in a social host context?
A. Only selling alcohol to a minor.
B. Giving or causing to be given alcohol to a minor, or leaving alcohol accessible to them in
a way that allows them to consume it.
C. Only if the minor pays for the alcohol.
D. Only if the minor is visibly intoxicated.
Answer: B
Rationale: Social host liability (B&P Code 25658.2) includes "furnishing," which is broadly
defined. Parents can be held liable if they knowingly allow their home to be used for a party
where minors consume alcohol.
7. Which of the following is a criminal violation for a licensee?
A. Selling alcohol during authorized hours.
B. Permitting a disturbance or illegal activity on the premises.
C. Checking IDs of all patrons.
D. Having security personnel on site.
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensees can face criminal charges or license suspension/revocation for permitting
disturbances (like fighting) or illegal activities (like drug use or gambling) on their premises.
8. The "Stop Order" issued by a peace officer or ABC agent is a notice to:
A. Stop serving a specific patron.
B. Close the establishment for the night.
C. Cease the sale of alcohol for a period of time due to an immediate threat to public health
or safety.
D. Stop a fight.
Answer: C
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027!!
CALIFORNIA ABC RESPONSIBLE BEVERAGE SERVICE
75 Questions with Complete Solutions | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: ALCOHOL LAWS AND REGULATIONS (Questions 1-15)
1. What is the legal drinking age in the state of California?
A. 18 years old
B. 19 years old
C. 20 years old
D. 21 years old
Answer: D
Rationale: California Business and Professions Code Section 25658 establishes the legal
drinking age at 21. It is illegal to sell or furnish alcohol to anyone under 21.
2. In California, what are the legal hours for the sale of alcoholic beverages by an on-sale
licensee (e.g., a bar or restaurant)?
A. 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Midnight)
B. 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM
C. 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM
D. 24 hours a day
Answer: B
Rationale: California law allows the sale of alcohol between the hours of 6:00 AM and 2:00 AM
the following day. No sales are permitted between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM.
3. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding California's "Dram Shop" laws and civil
liability for servers?
,A. Servers are never liable for damages caused by intoxicated patrons.
B. Servers can be held liable for serving an obviously intoxicated person if that person
causes injury or death to a third party.
C. Servers are only liable if the patron is a minor.
D. Servers are only liable if the patron drives a vehicle.
Answer: B
Rationale: While California has historically limited "Dram Shop" liability, Business and
Professions Code Section 25602.1 allows for civil liability against licensees/servers who serve an
"obviously intoxicated" person who subsequently causes injury or death. Additionally, strict
liability exists for serving minors.
4. An on-sale general license allows an establishment to:
A. Sell alcohol only in sealed containers for consumption off the premises.
B. Sell all types of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
C. Sell only beer and wine for consumption on the premises.
D. Sell alcohol 24 hours a day.
Answer: B
Rationale: An "On-Sale General" license permits the sale of all types of alcoholic beverages
(beer, wine, and distilled spirits) to be consumed on the premises. An "On-Sale Beer and Wine"
license restricts sales to those two categories.
5. Under California law, what is the penalty for a server who furnishes alcohol to a minor?
A. A verbal warning only.
B. A fine of $250 to $1,000 and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first offense.
C. Revocation of the establishment's license only.
D. A fine of $100.
Answer: B
Rationale: According to B&P Code 25658(a), a first offense for selling/furnishing to a minor
carries a mandatory fine and community service. Subsequent offenses carry harsher penalties,
including potential jail time.
, 6. What constitutes "furnishing" alcohol to a minor in a social host context?
A. Only selling alcohol to a minor.
B. Giving or causing to be given alcohol to a minor, or leaving alcohol accessible to them in
a way that allows them to consume it.
C. Only if the minor pays for the alcohol.
D. Only if the minor is visibly intoxicated.
Answer: B
Rationale: Social host liability (B&P Code 25658.2) includes "furnishing," which is broadly
defined. Parents can be held liable if they knowingly allow their home to be used for a party
where minors consume alcohol.
7. Which of the following is a criminal violation for a licensee?
A. Selling alcohol during authorized hours.
B. Permitting a disturbance or illegal activity on the premises.
C. Checking IDs of all patrons.
D. Having security personnel on site.
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensees can face criminal charges or license suspension/revocation for permitting
disturbances (like fighting) or illegal activities (like drug use or gambling) on their premises.
8. The "Stop Order" issued by a peace officer or ABC agent is a notice to:
A. Stop serving a specific patron.
B. Close the establishment for the night.
C. Cease the sale of alcohol for a period of time due to an immediate threat to public health
or safety.
D. Stop a fight.
Answer: C
