Can you refuse a field sobriety test during a DUI traffic stop? Attorney John Mobley explains how roadside sobriety exercises are used, what officers are evaluating and why agreeing to participate may provide additional evidence for a DUI investigation.
What Is a Field Sobriety Test?
Police officers use field sobriety tests to look for physical or behavioral signs of impairment and help determine whether probable cause exists for an arrest.
The three standardized field sobriety tests recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are:
- Horizontal gaze nystagmus
- Walk-and-turn
- One-leg stand
An officer may also request nonstandard exercises, such as reciting the alphabet, counting backward or touching a finger to the nose.
Are Field Sobriety Tests Mandatory?
In many jurisdictions, roadside field sobriety exercises are voluntary. However, DUI laws and refusal consequences vary by state. Drivers should not assume that the same rules apply everywhere.
Field sobriety tests are also different from breath, blood or urine testing. Chemical testing may be governed by a state’s implied-consent law, and refusing it can result in consequences such as driver’s-license suspension—even when a person is not ultimately convicted of DUI.
Can Field Sobriety Tests Be Used Against You?
Yes. Officers document a driver’s balance, coordination, ability to follow instructions and other observations during the exercises. Those observations may later be used to establish probable cause or presented as evidence in a DUI case.
Performance can also be affected by factors unrelated to alcohol or drugs, including:
- Medical conditions
- Injuries or physical limitations
- Uneven pavement
- Poor lighting
- Weather conditions
- Improper footwear
- Stress, fatigue or nervousness
- Instructions that were unclear or administered incorrectly
What Should You Know During a DUI Stop?
Attorney John Mobley explains the importance of remaining calm, avoiding physical resistance and understanding the difference between roadside sobriety exercises and legally required chemical testing.
Watch the complete legal analysis to learn how field sobriety tests are administered, how the results may be used and why understanding your rights matters during a DUI investigation.
This content provides general educational information and is not legal advice. DUI and implied-consent laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a licensed attorney in the applicable state about a specific traffic stop or criminal charge.