Georgia DUI Walk and Turn Test

You may have heard of this test before, but what exactly is expected of you in a walk and turn test? During this field sobriety test, an officer is watching your every move. While the walk and turn test may seem like a physical test, it is not meant for that only. It is also a test on your ability to pay attention and to follow directions. Think of it as a "divided test."

When an officer administers this test, you are first put into an awkward stance. You are to stand like this for a prolonged period of time while the officer explains directions to you.

The officer will direct you to take nine heel to toe steps forward. You are then to turn and pivot off your front foot and take the nine steps back in the same manner. Also during your walk, you are to count out loud the number of steps taken.

What is the officer looking for during a walk and turn test?

The inability to maintain balance during instruction phrase, missing heel to toe steps, stepping off the imaginary line, improper number of steps, improper turn and failing to count out loud are all things an officer is looking for during this field sobriety test. If you use your arms for balancing or if you do not complete the test, this also results in failure.

In the state of Georgia, if you have missed any of these two criteria, you have met the arrest criteria. The walk and turn test is one of the three field sobriety tests approved by the state of Georgia.