Reader’s Question:

I know that just like breath testing, police officers in Columbia, Maryland require some kind of certification in conducting field sobriety tests for a DUI arrest. But if they don’t pass the exams, are they allowed to re-take the exams?

Efren

Columbia, MD

Field sobriety testing in a DUI investigation is a very interesting topic that you might just want to try and experience conducting it to someone who is suspected for DUI. But yes, just like the breath testing, field sobriety testing requires training and certification before police officers, including those in Columbia, Maryland, could actually be able to administer the tests in DUI suspects. Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) training should be 16 hours and must include at least two controlled drinking sessions utilizing volunteer drinkers.

In order to validly complete the classroom portion of the training, SFST candidates should complete a final examination with a score of not less than 80%. Candidates who scored less than 80% on the final exams may be retested one time under the supervision of a SFST instructor. The retest should be done not less than 15 nor more than 30 days following the completion of the classroom training. The exam used should not have been administered to the candidate previously. If the candidate doesn’t achieve a passing score on the re-examination, the candidate must re-take the classroom portion of the training and pass the final exams.

Tags: breath test, DUI, DUI arrest, DUI lawyer, field sobriety tests