Field Sobriety Tests in Georgia DUI Cases: What You Need to Know (2025)

When a driver is suspected of driving under the influence (DUI), law enforcement officers often administer field sobriety tests (FSTs) to assess impairment. These tests are designed to evaluate a driver’s balance, coordination, and ability to follow instructions. However, they are not always accurate and can be challenged in court.

Types of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has approved three standardized field sobriety tests that officers commonly use during DUI stops:

1. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test (HGN) – The police officer asks the driver to follow an object, such as a pen or flashlight, with their eyes. The officer looks for involuntary jerking movements (nystagmus), which can indicate intoxication. However, medical conditions, fatigue, or even bright lights can affect the results.
2. Walk-and-Turn Test (WAT) – The driver must walk heel-to-toe in a straight line, turn, and walk back. This test evaluates balance, coordination, and the ability to follow instructions. However, uneven pavement, medical conditions, or nervousness can impact performance.
3. One-Leg Stand Test (OLS) – The driver is asked to stand on one leg while counting aloud. The officer looks for swaying, hopping, or using arms for balance. Factors like age, weight, injuries, or anxiety can cause a person to fail this test—even if they are sober.

Are Field Sobriety Tests Reliable?

While FSTs are widely used by law enforcement, they are not foolproof. Studies show that even when administered correctly, these tests are only about 65-77% accurate in detecting impairment. Several factors can lead to false failures, including:

• Nervousness or anxiety – Being stopped by police can be stressful, causing even sober drivers to make mistakes.
• Medical conditions – Issues like vertigo, arthritis, or neurological disorders can affect balance and coordination.
• Weather and road conditions – Uneven pavement, rain, or poor lighting can make these tests harder to perform.
• Improper administration – If an officer does not follow NHTSA guidelines, the test results may be invalid.

Can You Refuse a Field Sobriety Test?

In Georgia, field sobriety tests are voluntary, meaning you can legally refuse to take them.   However, it’s important to understand the potential consequences of refusing these tests. While you have the right to decline, doing so may lead to further scrutiny from law enforcement and could potentially influence the outcome of any subsequent legal proceedings related to your case.

What to Do If You Fail a Field Sobriety Test

If you have been arrested for DUI after performing field sobriety tests, do not panic. You may have legal defenses available, such as:

• Challenging the officer’s reason for the stop
• Questioning the accuracy and administration of the tests
• Presenting medical conditions that affected your performance

A skilled DUI defense attorney can analyze the details of your case and fight to have charges reduced or dismissed.

Contact a DUI Defense Attorney Today

Unlike breathalyzer tests, field sobriety tests are subjective and often unreliable, but failing one can still lead to serious consequences. If you have been charged with DUI, it is critical to speak with an experienced Atlanta criminal defense attorney who understands how to challenge these tests.

Call the Law Office of DeLisa Williams today for a free consultation and protect your rights.

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring an experienced DUI defense lawyer can vary significantly depending on various factors. After a DUI arrest, an attorney may assess the situation to determine whether there are grounds to challenge the results of these tests conducted during the roadside stop.

Field Sobriety Tests in Georgia DUI Cases: What You Need to Know

When a driver is suspected of drunk driving in Georgia, police officers often administer field sobriety tests (FSTs) to assess impairment. These tests are designed to evaluate whether a driver is impaired by assessing their physical coordination and cognitive abilities. However, they are not always reliable indicators of intoxication and can be challenged in court.

At DeLisa Williams, PC, we understand how subjective and flawed these tests can be. If you have been charged with DUI after performing a field sobriety test, you need an experienced Atlanta DUI defense attorney on your side.

Georgia’s Implied Consent Law

While you can refuse a field sobriety test without immediate legal penalties, refusing a breathalyzer or blood test after arrest triggers Georgia’s Implied Consent Law (O.C.G.A. § 40-5-67.1). This law states that by driving in Georgia, you have implicitly agreed to chemical testing if arrested for DUI. Refusing a chemical test can result in:

• Automatic license suspension for one year

You must appeal any license suspension within 30 days of your DUI charge.

Contact DeLisa Williams, PC for Aggressive DUI Defense

A DUI conviction in Georgia can have serious consequences, including jail time, fines, license suspension, and increased insurance rates. However, a failed field sobriety test does not automatically mean a conviction. With the right defense strategy, charges may be reduced or dismissed.

At DeLisa Williams, PC, our DUI lawyers have extensive experience challenging field sobriety tests and fighting DUI charges throughout Georgia. If you have been arrested for DUI, don’t wait—call us today for a free consultation and protect your rights.

Contact DeLisa Williams, PC at 404-903-1037.