Hand Pat Test -
Non-Standardized Field Sobriety Test

An officer might use non-standardized field sobriety tests in states where the only corroboration required from these tests is that the officer had realistic cause to restrain the driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Tests of this alternative nature are at the officer’s judgment. Simple tests might include:

Hand-pat test: in this non-standardized test, the driver is asked to extend a hand in front, palm upwards. The other hand is then placed on top of the first hand, palm downwards. The driver then ‘pats’ the lower hand with the upper hand by rotating it, so that first the lower hand is patted with the palm of the upper hand and then with the back of the upper hand.