TABC Server Responsibilities and Intervention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary responsibility of a TABC-certified alcohol server when a customer appears intoxicated?
- Continue serving but reduce quantity
- Refuse service and offer water or food (Correct answer)
- Call law enforcement immediately
- Ask another employee to take over
Correct answer: Refuse service and offer water or food
A certified server must refuse further alcohol service to a visibly intoxicated customer and may offer non-alcoholic alternatives.
Question 2: Under TABC guidelines, which behavior is a sign of intoxication a server should watch for?
- Ordering a complex cocktail
- Slurred speech and loss of balance (Correct answer)
- Asking for a menu
- Paying with cash
Correct answer: Slurred speech and loss of balance
Slurred speech and loss of balance are classic visible signs of alcohol intoxication that require a server to intervene.
Question 3: A server who sells alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person in Texas may face which consequence?
- A verbal warning only
- Criminal charges and civil liability (Correct answer)
- Loss of food handler permit
- Mandatory retraining only
Correct answer: Criminal charges and civil liability
Under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, servers can face criminal penalties and civil lawsuits (dram shop liability) for serving intoxicated patrons.
Question 4: What is an effective technique for cutting off an intoxicated customer without confrontation?
- Loudly announce the refusal to other staff
- Privately inform the customer the establishment can no longer serve them alcohol (Correct answer)
- Remove the customer's drink without explanation
- Ignore the customer until they leave
Correct answer: Privately inform the customer the establishment can no longer serve them alcohol
A private, respectful refusal reduces conflict and protects the dignity of the customer while meeting legal obligations.
Question 5: Which factor does NOT affect how quickly a person becomes intoxicated?
- Body weight
- Rate of consumption
- Hair color (Correct answer)
- Food intake
Correct answer: Hair color
Hair color has no physiological effect on alcohol metabolism or intoxication rate.
Question 6: According to TABC training, what should a server do if a customer insists they are not drunk?
- Accept their word and continue serving
- Offer a sobriety test
- Maintain the refusal politely and offer water or food (Correct answer)
- Let a manager decide without input
Correct answer: Maintain the refusal politely and offer water or food
A server should remain firm in the refusal while staying respectful, as intoxicated individuals often deny impairment.
TABC Server Responsibilities and Intervention 1
What is the primary responsibility of a TABC-certified alcohol server when a customer appears intoxicated?