What Are The Balance Tests?

Two of the field tests are aimed at determining your ability to balance and follow directions at the same time. One is the one-leg stand test, where you are asked to stand on one leg for 30 seconds with your hands to your side. The other is the walk-and-turn test where you are asked to walk heel to toe for nine steps, turn around and walk back nine steps, also with your hands to your side. These tests are difficult for many sober people to perform properly. If a person has a problem with balance or coordination, has physical infirmity, is overweight, or is over 65, he or she will, in all probability, not be able to perform satisfactorily for the officer. The officer expects perfection of you, not necessarily of him, in administering the tests. These tests that bear do not demonstrate a person’s impairment to operate a motor vehicle. They have not been determined to be scientifically reliable or valid. Our advice is to politely refuse the officer’s request to perform any balance or eye test, alphabet test, finger counting or counting test, and to politely request the officer to allow you to take a breath test and an independent test for your use.