| 100% | SOBER | 5 | Like a designated driver, hopefully |
| 79% | SOBER | 5 | Like a designated driver |
| 78% | SOBER | 5 | Like a designated driver, presumably |
| 78% | SOBER | 5 | Like a designated driver, optimally |
| 74% | SOBER | 5 | Like the designated driver, hopefully |
| 71% | SOBER | 5 | Like designated drivers, hopefully |
| 56% | KEYS | 4 | What a designated driver takes |
| 56% | SOBER | 5 | State of a designated driver |
| 56% | CAB | 3 | Alternative to a designated driver |
| 56% | FUNNY | 5 | Like a comedian, hopefully |
| 56% | HUMOROUS | 8 | Like a comedian, hopefully |
| 55% | NEARBEER | 8 | Drink for a designated driver, maybe |
| 55% | SOBER | 5 | What a designated driver should be |
| 55% | TOOMANY | 7 | One drink, to a designated driver |
| 55% | FIT | 3 | Like a personal trainer, hopefully |
| 55% | BUOYANT | 7 | Like a life raft, hopefully |
| 55% | SERENE | 6 | Like a meditation spot, hopefully |
| 55% | LEADFOOTED | 10 | Like a fast driver |
| 55% | DEFENSIVE | 9 | Like a watchful driver |
| 55% | INSURABLE | 9 | Like a safe driver |
| 54% | CAB | 3 | Barhopper's alternative to a designated driver |
| 53% | DWI | 3 | Infraction prevented by a designated driver, for short |
| 53% | SOBER | 5 | Like the designated driver, by design |
| 53% | SHARP | 5 | Like a chef's knife, hopefully |
| 53% | TESTED | 6 | Like a Car and Driver car |
| 52% | OHDASHERRELIEF | 14 | Sot's yuletide remark about having a designated driver? |
| 52% | ONSILENT | 8 | Like a cellphone in a theater, hopefully |
| 51% | INSTEP | 6 | Like a marching band, hopefully (2 wds.) |
| 50% | HONKED | 6 | Reacted like a taxi driver? |
| 48% | IDLE | 4 | Temporarily do nothing, like a driver at a stoplight |