Walk and Turn Test -
Standardized Field Sobriety Test

Asking the driver to walk heel-to-toe along a line for nine steps, turn at the end and return is a simple test that anyone should be able to perform without difficulty – except a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The purpose is twofold: the driver must be able to understand simple instructions and physically manage the test.

The police officer is considering if the driver follows the instructions as given; can keep his or her balance; stops to adjust balance or loses balance; uses the heel-to-toe method requested; uses the arms to try to keep balanced; or does not take the required number of steps.

NHTSA studies reveal that 65 percent of those who fail two or more of these criteria will have a BAC of .10 or greater or are under the influence of drugs.