TAM Responsible Alcohol Service & Customer Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A customer at the bar begins slurring words and knocking over their drink. What is the FIRST action a TAM-certified server should take?
- Immediately call law enforcement
- Assess the situation and stop serving alcohol to that customer (Correct answer)
- Ask other customers if they noticed the behavior
- Continue serving until the customer requests to stop
Correct answer: Assess the situation and stop serving alcohol to that customer
A TAM-certified server must assess signs of intoxication and stop alcohol service to prevent further harm.
Question 2: Under Maryland law, which of the following is a valid form of ID to verify a customer's age for alcohol purchases?
- A library card with a photo
- A U.S. military ID card (Correct answer)
- A student ID from a university
- A credit card with a photo
Correct answer: A U.S. military ID card
A U.S. military ID is an acceptable government-issued photo ID for age verification in Maryland.
Question 3: A server notices that a customer's designated driver has been drinking. What is the best course of action?
- Ignore it since the customer has not asked for help
- Alert the customer who intended to be driven home and offer alternative transportation options (Correct answer)
- Continue serving the designated driver if they appear sober
- Notify only the manager and take no further action
Correct answer: Alert the customer who intended to be driven home and offer alternative transportation options
Alerting the passenger and offering alternatives like a cab protects both parties and aligns with responsible service practices.
Question 4: What does 'one standard drink' typically contain in terms of pure alcohol?
- 0.3 ounces (8.5 ml)
- 0.6 ounces (14 ml) (Correct answer)
- 1.0 ounce (28 ml)
- 1.5 ounces (42 ml)
Correct answer: 0.6 ounces (14 ml)
One standard drink in the U.S. contains 0.6 ounces (14 ml) of pure alcohol regardless of the type of beverage.
Question 5: Which scenario BEST describes 'over-service' under TAM guidelines?
- Serving a customer three drinks over four hours
- Serving a visibly intoxicated patron an additional alcoholic beverage (Correct answer)
- Offering a customer a second drink before they finish the first
- Allowing a customer to order a pitcher of beer
Correct answer: Serving a visibly intoxicated patron an additional alcoholic beverage
Over-service occurs when alcohol is served to a visibly intoxicated person, which is illegal in Maryland.
Question 6: A group of customers arrives and one member appears to already be intoxicated before ordering. What should the server do?
- Serve the group but skip the intoxicated customer
- Refuse service to the entire group to avoid complications
- Ask the intoxicated customer to leave immediately without explanation
- Politely refuse alcohol service to the intoxicated individual only (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Politely refuse alcohol service to the intoxicated individual only
The TAM approach is to refuse service to the intoxicated individual while continuing to serve other members of the group responsibly.
Question 7: Why is it important for Maryland alcohol servers to document incidents involving refusal of service?
- Documentation is required only for physical altercations
- It provides a record that can protect the establishment from liability (Correct answer)
- Maryland law requires this documentation be filed with the state
- Documentation speeds up the process of calling law enforcement
Correct answer: It provides a record that can protect the establishment from liability
Incident documentation helps protect the establishment by demonstrating responsible service practices if a liability claim arises.
TAM Responsible Alcohol Service & Customer Safety 2
A customer at the bar begins slurring words and knocking over their drink.
What is the FIRST action a TAM-certified server should take?