Field Sobriety Test Types

When a law enforcement officer suspects that you have driven drunk, they will use a field sobriety test to help verify their suspicions. There are several types of tests they may perform. The level of accuracy of each varies and sometimes officers will use multiple sobriety tests together. Here is a list of the types of field sobriety tests used by police officers when they suspect you of driving while intoxicated:

• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN): The HGN test consists of an officer taking an object such as a pen or flashlight and moving it horizontally. The officer will observe the suspected drunk driver’s eyes as they follow the moving object.

• Walk-And-Turn: You are instructed to take nine steps in a straight line with your feet touching heel-to-toe. After nine steps, you turn around and do it once more.

• One-Leg Stand: You will be asked to hold one foot about 6 inches off the ground and hold it there for 30 seconds. If, while your foot is in the air, you hop, stumble, sway, or use your arms to keep balance, you may be considered intoxicated.