Nashville DUI Walk and Turn Test

It seems as though the walk and turn test is most up for debate among DUI clients I meet, they want to know is it a test you can pass? How do they score a field sobriety test? Well you will probably will not pass this test, and yes it is scored and administered in the following ways for a Nashville DUI stop.

There are two parts to the walk and turn DUI test, the first one is the standing heal to toe and listening to instructions from the officer. The second part of the test is to make the tester take nine steps heal to toe and turn, then take nine steps heal to toe and return to the original place you started, sounds simple enough, ah but how is it graded during a Nashville DUI stop?

Part one is graded as follows: The grading is done after the officer has shown you how to do the test and once you have completed the test. There is a maximum of eight points for the test, one point for every category. Scored in the following categories:

(1) cannot maintain balance while listenting to instructions;
(2) starts before instructions concluded;
(3) stops while walking to steady oneself;
(4) fails to touch heal to toe;
(5) steps off line;
(6) uses his or her arms to balance;
(7) loses balance while turning;
(8) takes incorrect number of steps.

Each category is worth one point against you, no matter how many times you fail that category, a score of two or more indicates the suspect is under the influence.

Things that are important in a DUI walk and turn test are the surface on which you take the test, is it dry, flat, slippery, hard or level? Was there a line drawn for you to walk? Was there a line already on the roadway? Were you instructed to walk a straight line with the curb of the roadway? Are you 65 years of age or older, did you have back problems, knee problems or leg injuries?

There are many important steps in regards to a DUI stop in Nashville, please phone our office for an appointment at (615) 308-2633, and let us review your case, there is no obligation.