DUI DEFENSE RESOURCES & NHTSA TRAINING MANUALS
Explore official NHTSA training manuals, DUI testing procedures, scientific evidence, and Virginia DUI defense resources curated by the attorneys at Battlefield Law Group.
The Science Behind DUI Investigations
Understanding the science and procedures behind DUI investigations is an important part of building an effective defense. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) develops training materials used by law enforcement officers to recognize possible impairment, administer standardized field sobriety tests, and document their observations.
Battlefield Law Group has assembled this collection of NHTSA manuals to make these resources easily accessible to attorneys, legal professionals, and individuals interested in understanding how DUI investigations are conducted.
A Closer Look at Field Sobriety Testing
Standardized field sobriety testing is rooted in research dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, with additional studies conducted in the 1990s as states began lowering the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit from 0.10% to 0.08%. Although NHTSA has revised its training manuals over the years, the three standardized tests, Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand, remain central to DUI investigations.
Nicole H. Naum, founder of Battlefield Law Group, has practiced criminal defense in Northern Virginia for more than 15 years and has a longstanding passion for DUI defense. Her approach emphasizes the science behind DUI investigations, the procedures officers are trained to follow, and careful examination of the evidence. One of her favorite references remains the DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Student Manual, February 2006 Edition
NHTSA Standardized
Field Sobriety Testing Manuals
Explore current and historical editions of the NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) training manuals, including available instructor and participant guides. These materials provide insight into the procedures, testing standards, and training used by law enforcement officers during DUI investigations.
*This resource library will continue to evolve as Battlefield Law Group adds training manuals, scientific research, and educational materials to support attorneys, legal professionals, and the public.
2023: Instructor Guide | Participant Manual
2018: Instructor Guide | Participant Manual
2017: Instructor Guide | Participant Manual
2015: Instructor Guide | Participant Manual
2009: Participant Manual
2006: Student Manual
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Manuals are provided for educational and reference purposes. Visit the official NHTSA SFST Resource Library for additional materials and updates.
Nicole Naum Breaks Down
Field Sobriety Testing
What are police officers trained to look for during field sobriety testing? In these videos, Battlefield Law Group founder Nicole H. Naum demonstrates standardized testing procedures, officer observations, and the science behind roadside DUI investigations.