Distinction between primary, secondary and tertiary alcohol is done by all three methods : oxidation, Victormeyer and Lucas test.
Victor Meyer's method : The given alcohol is converted into an iodide by concentrated HI or red phosphorous and iodine.If a blood red colour is obtained, the original alcohol is primary. If a blue colour is obtained, the alcohol is secondary. If no colour is produced, the alcohol is tertiary.
Oxidation Test : Primary alcohol gets easily oxidized to an aldehyde and can further be oxidized to carboxylic acids too. Secondary alcohol gets easily oxidized to ketone but further oxidation is not possible. Tertiary alcohol doesn't get oxidized in the presence of sodium dichromate.
Lucas test : Primary alchol give white turbidity immediatly.
secondary alcohol gives white turbidity in 5-10 min.
Tertiary alcohol given white turbidity in 30 min.