Spanish for DUI Stops & Field Sobriety Tests: Complete Field Guide for Police Officers (A2/B1)

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⏱️ Reading time: 10 minutes | 🧠 Quiz: 10 minutes

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DUI stops are among the most procedurally complex and legally sensitive interactions law enforcement officers handle. Administering field sobriety tests correctly in Spanish requires precise vocabulary, clear commands, and an understanding of legal standards. This guide covers the initial DUI investigation, the three standardized field sobriety tests (HGN, Walk-and-Turn, One-Leg Stand), breathalyzer procedures, and arrest protocols. It is designed for American police officers who need accurate, legally defensible Spanish for DUI enforcement.

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🎯 In this guide, you will learn:

• How to ask initial DUI screening questions (consumption, medications, medical conditions)
• Commands for the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) eye test
• Commands for the Walk-and-Turn test
• Commands for the One-Leg Stand test
• Breathalyzer instructions and implied consent warnings
• How to articulate observed signs of impairment in Spanish
• Real conversation scripts for DUI stops

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Initial DUI Screening Questions

These are the first questions you should ask when you suspect impairment.

Spanish	English
¿Ha estado bebiendo esta noche?	Have you been drinking tonight?
¿Cuánto ha tomado?	How much have you had to drink?
¿Qué ha tomado exactamente?	What exactly have you had?
¿Cuándo fue su última copa?	When was your last drink?
¿Ha comido algo esta noche?	Have you eaten anything tonight?
¿Está tomando algún medicamento?	Are you taking any medication?
¿Tiene alguna condición médica?	Do you have any medical condition?
¿Tiene diabetes o epilepsia?	Do you have diabetes or epilepsy?
¿Tiene alguna lesión que le impida caminar?	Do you have any injury that prevents you from walking?
¿Está cansado o tiene sueño?	Are you tired or sleepy?

💡 Legal Note: These questions are for roadside screening. Document all answers verbatim in your report. If the driver admits to drinking, note the exact words they used.

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Observing Signs of Impairment

Use these phrases to document and communicate what you observe.

Spanish	English
Huele a alcohol en su aliento.	I smell alcohol on your breath.
Sus ojos están rojos y llorosos.	Your eyes are red and watery.
Su habla está arrastrada.	Your speech is slurred.
Tiene dificultad para mantener el equilibrio.	You have difficulty maintaining balance.
Le vi manejando de manera errática.	I saw you driving erratically.
Su vehículo cruzó la línea central.	Your vehicle crossed the center line.
Usted frenó sin motivo.	You braked for no reason.
Usted aceleró y desaceleró repetidamente.	You accelerated and decelerated repeatedly.

⚠️ Documentation Tip: Be specific. Instead of “erratic driving,” describe exactly what you saw: “El vehículo cruzó la línea central tres veces en una milla” (The vehicle crossed the center line three times in one mile).

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Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test

This test checks for involuntary eye jerking as the eyes follow a stimulus.

Pre-Test Instructions

Spanish	English
Voy a hacerle una prueba de los ojos.	I am going to perform an eye test on you.
Por favor, quítese las gafas si las usa.	Please remove your glasses if you wear them.
Mantenga la cabeza quieta.	Keep your head still.
Solo mueva los ojos.	Move only your eyes.
Siga mi dedo con los ojos solamente.	Follow my finger with your eyes only.
No mueva la cabeza.	Don’t move your head.

During the Test

Spanish	English
Siga el movimiento.	Follow the movement.
Dígame cuando vea que se mueve.	Tell me when you see it move.
Mantenga los ojos en mi dedo.	Keep your eyes on my finger.
No mire hacia arriba.	Don’t look up.
No cierre los ojos.	Don’t close your eyes.

After the Test

Spanish	English
Voy a revisar sus ojos para ver si hay movimientos involuntarios.	I am going to check your eyes for involuntary movements.
Mire mi dedo.	Look at my finger.
Siga mi dedo lentamente.	Follow my finger slowly.

💡 Test Note: The HGN test checks for three clues per eye: lack of smooth pursuit, distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation, and onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. Document each clue you observe.

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Walk and Turn Test

This test measures the driver’s ability to follow instructions and maintain balance while walking.

Pre-Test Instructions

Spanish	English
Voy a hacerle una prueba de caminar.	I am going to give you a walking test.
¿Entiende las instrucciones?	Do you understand the instructions?
Póngase en la línea.	Stand on the line.
Ponga los pies uno detrás del otro, talón con punta.	Put your feet one behind the other, heel to toe.
Mantenga los brazos a los costados.	Keep your arms at your sides.
No comience hasta que le diga.	Do not start until I tell you.

During the Test

Spanish	English
Dé nueve pasos.	Take nine steps.
Talón con punta, sin separar los pies.	Heel to toe, without separating your feet.
Cuente los pasos en voz alta.	Count the steps out loud.
Mantenga los brazos abajo.	Keep your arms down.
Mire sus pies mientras camina.	Look at your feet while you walk.

Turning and Returning

Spanish	English
Gire sobre un pie.	Turn on one foot.
No se salga de la línea.	Don’t step off the line.
Regrese caminando igual.	Walk back the same way.
Otra vez, talón con punta.	Again, heel to toe.
Siga contando en voz alta.	Keep counting out loud.

If They Lose Balance

Spanish	English
Baje los brazos.	Put your arms down.
No se separe de la línea.	Don’t step off the line.
Comience de nuevo.	Start over.
Terminamos la prueba.	We are done with this test.

💡 Test Note: The Walk-and-Turn test has eight clues: inability to balance during instructions, starting too soon, stopping while walking, not touching heel to toe, stepping off the line, using arms for balance, losing balance on turn, and taking the wrong number of steps.

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One Leg Stand Test

This test measures balance and the ability to follow instructions.

Pre-Test Instructions

Spanish	English
Voy a hacerle una prueba de equilibrio.	I am going to give you a balance test.
Párese en un pie.	Stand on one foot.
Levante el otro pie unos quince centímetros del suelo.	Lift your other foot about six inches off the ground.
Mantenga la pierna estirada.	Keep your leg straight.
Mire su pie levantado.	Look at your raised foot.
Mantenga los brazos a los costados.	Keep your arms at your sides.

During the Test

Spanish	English
Mantenga la posición hasta que le diga que pare.	Hold the position until I tell you to stop.
Cuente en voz alta: mil uno, mil dos, mil tres…	Count out loud: one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three…
No se balancee.	Don’t sway.
No baje el pie.	Don’t put your foot down.
Siga contando.	Keep counting.

Stopping the Test

Spanish	English
Baje el pie.	Put your foot down.
Terminamos.	We are done.
La prueba ha terminado.	The test is finished.

💡 Test Note: The One Leg Stand test has four clues: swaying while balancing, using arms for balance, hopping to maintain balance, and putting the foot down before 30 seconds.

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Breathalyzer Procedures

After field sobriety tests, you may request a breath sample.

Implied Consent Warning

Spanish	English
Al manejar en este estado, usted dio su consentimiento implícito a una prueba de aliento.	By driving in this state, you gave implied consent to a breath test.
Si se niega a soplar, su licencia será suspendida automáticamente.	If you refuse to blow, your license will be automatically suspended.
La negativa también puede usarse en su contra en el tribunal.	The refusal may also be used against you in court.
¿Entiende?	Do you understand?
¿Acepta soplar?	Do you agree to blow?

Breathalyzer Instructions

Spanish	English
Sople aquí hasta que le diga que pare.	Blow here until I tell you to stop.
Necesito un soplido constante y fuerte.	I need a steady, strong blow.
Sople más fuerte.	Blow harder.
Más constante.	More steady.
No deje de soplar hasta que yo le diga.	Don’t stop blowing until I tell you.
Otra vez.	Again.
Necesito una muestra válida.	I need a valid sample.

After the Test

Spanish	English
El resultado es positivo.	The result is positive.
El resultado es negativo.	The result is negative.
Su nivel de alcohol es [número].	Your alcohol level is [number].
El límite legal es 0.08.	The legal limit is 0.08.

⚠️ Legal Warning: In many states, refusing a breathalyzer test carries automatic license suspension and can be used as evidence of consciousness of guilt. Document the refusal verbatim.

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Arrest and Post-Arrest for DUI

After establishing probable cause, make the arrest.

Arrest Commands

Spanish	English
Queda arrestado por manejar bajo la influencia.	You are under arrest for driving under the influence.
No va a poder manejar esta noche.	You are not going to be able to drive tonight.
Ponga las manos detrás de la espalda.	Put your hands behind your back.
No se resista.	Don’t resist.
Le voy a poner las esposas.	I am going to handcuff you.

During Transport

Spanish	English
Vamos a la estación de policía.	We are going to the police station.
Allí le harán otra prueba de aliento.	There you will take another breath test.
Tiene derecho a hacer una llamada.	You have the right to make a phone call.
No intente salir del vehículo.	Don’t try to get out of the vehicle.

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Documenting Observations (For Your Report)

These phrases help you write your report in Spanish if needed, or communicate with Spanish-speaking supervisors.

Spanish	English
El sujeto tenía aliento a alcohol.	The subject had alcohol on his breath.
El sujeto tenía los ojos rojos y llorosos.	The subject had red, watery eyes.
El sujeto tenía dificultad para mantener el equilibrio.	The subject had difficulty maintaining balance.
El sujeto se cayó durante la prueba.	The subject fell during the test.
El sujeto se negó a soplar.	The subject refused to blow.
El sujeto admitió haber bebido.	The subject admitted to drinking.
El sujeto no pudo completar las pruebas.	The subject could not complete the tests.

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Practice Exercise: Translate to Spanish

Test yourself. Answers are below.

1. “Have you been drinking tonight? How much have you had?”
2. “Follow my finger with your eyes only. Don’t move your head.”
3. “Stand on the line. Put your feet heel to toe. Don’t start until I tell you.”
4. “Take nine steps. Count out loud. Heel to toe without separating your feet.”
5. “Turn on one foot. Walk back the same way.”
6. “Stand on one foot. Lift your other foot about six inches. Hold the position.”
7. “Count out loud: one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three…”
8. “If you refuse to blow, your license will be automatically suspended.”
9. “Blow here until I tell you to stop. I need a steady, strong blow.”
10. “You are under arrest for driving under the influence. Put your hands behind your back.”

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Answers

#	Answer
1	¿Ha estado bebiendo esta noche? ¿Cuánto ha tomado?
2	Siga mi dedo con los ojos solamente. No mueva la cabeza.
3	Póngase en la línea. Ponga los pies talón con punta. No comience hasta que le diga.
4	Dé nueve pasos. Cuente en voz alta. Talón con punta sin separar los pies.
5	Gire sobre un pie. Regrese caminando igual.
6	Párese en un pie. Levante el otro pie unos quince centímetros. Mantenga la posición.
7	Cuente en voz alta: mil uno, mil dos, mil tres…
8	Si se niega a soplar, su licencia será suspendida automáticamente.
9	Sople aquí hasta que le diga que pare. Necesito un soplido constante y fuerte.
10	Queda arrestado por manejar bajo la influencia. Ponga las manos detrás de la espalda.

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Common Mistakes Officers Make

❌ Wrong	✅ Correct	Why
“Camina en la línea”	“Póngase en la línea”	“Camina” is a statement (“you walk”), not a command. Use the formal command “póngase.”
“Cuenta los pasos”	“Cuente los pasos en voz alta”	“Cuenta” is informal. Use formal “cuente” and add “en voz alta” (out loud) for clarity.
“No te muevas”	“No se mueva”	Informal “te muevas” is disrespectful. Use formal “se mueva” with suspects.
“Para de soplar”	“No deje de soplar hasta que le diga”	“Para de soplar” tells them to stop. You want them to continue until you say stop.
“Estás arrestado”	“Queda arrestado”	Informal “estás” is incorrect. Use formal “queda arrestado.”

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Real Conversations: DUI Stop Scenarios

Conversation 1: Standard DUI Stop

Officer: Buenas noches. Soy oficial de policía. ¿Puedo ver su licencia y registro, por favor?

Driver: Sí, oficial. Aquí tiene.

Officer: ¿Sabe por qué lo detuve?

Driver: No, oficial. No sé.

Officer: Le vi manejando de manera errática. Su vehículo cruzó la línea central dos veces. ¿Ha estado bebiendo esta noche?

Driver: Tomé un par de cervezas.

Officer: ¿Cuánto ha tomado exactamente?

Driver: Dos cervezas. Hace como dos horas.

Officer: ¿Tiene alguna condición médica que pueda afectar su equilibrio?

Driver: No.

Officer: Huele a alcohol en su aliento. Sus ojos están rojos. Voy a hacerle unas pruebas de coordinación. ¿Entiende?

Driver: Sí.

Officer: Por favor, salga del vehículo.

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Translation:

Officer: Good evening. I am a police officer. May I see your license and registration, please?

Driver: Yes, officer. Here you go.

Officer: Do you know why I stopped you?

Driver: No, officer. I don’t know.

Officer: I saw you driving erratically. Your vehicle crossed the center line twice. Have you been drinking tonight?

Driver: I had a couple of beers.

Officer: How much exactly have you had?

Driver: Two beers. About two hours ago.

Officer: Do you have any medical condition that could affect your balance?

Driver: No.

Officer: I smell alcohol on your breath. Your eyes are red. I am going to give you some coordination tests. Do you understand?

Driver: Yes.

Officer: Please step out of the vehicle.

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Conversation 2: Administering Walk and Turn Test

Officer: Voy a hacerle una prueba de caminar. ¿Entiende las instrucciones?

Driver: Sí.

Officer: Póngase en la línea. Ponga los pies uno detrás del otro, talón con punta. Mantenga los brazos a los costados. ¿Entiende?

Driver: Sí.

Officer: No comience hasta que le diga. ¿Listo? Comience.

Driver: (takes steps, loses balance, puts arms out)

Officer: Baje los brazos. Mantenga los brazos a los costados.

Driver: (continues, steps off the line)

Officer: No se salga de la línea. Gire sobre un pie. Regrese caminando igual.

Driver: (struggles to turn, sways)

Officer: Terminamos la prueba. Baje los brazos.

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Translation:

Officer: I am going to give you a walking test. Do you understand the instructions?

Driver: Yes.

Officer: Stand on the line. Put your feet one behind the other, heel to toe. Keep your arms at your sides. Do you understand?

Driver: Yes.

Officer: Do not start until I tell you. Ready? Begin.

Driver: (takes steps, loses balance, puts arms out)

Officer: Put your arms down. Keep your arms at your sides.

Driver: (continues, steps off the line)

Officer: Don’t step off the line. Turn on one foot. Walk back the same way.

Driver: (struggles to turn, sways)

Officer: We are done with this test. Put your arms down.

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Conversation 3: Breathalyzer Refusal

Officer: Al manejar en este estado, usted dio su consentimiento implícito a una prueba de aliento. ¿Entiende?

Driver: No quiero soplar.

Officer: Si se niega a soplar, su licencia será suspendida automáticamente. La negativa también puede usarse en su contra en el tribunal. ¿Entiende?

Driver: Entiendo. Pero no voy a soplar.

Officer: ¿Acepta soplar o se niega?

Driver: Me niego.

Officer: Entiendo. Usted se niega a soplar. Voy a poner eso en mi informe. Queda arrestado por manejar bajo la influencia. Ponga las manos detrás de la espalda.

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Translation:

Officer: By driving in this state, you gave implied consent to a breath test. Do you understand?

Driver: I don’t want to blow.

Officer: If you refuse to blow, your license will be automatically suspended. The refusal may also be used against you in court. Do you understand?

Driver: I understand. But I am not going to blow.

Officer: Do you agree to blow or do you refuse?

Driver: I refuse.

Officer: I understand. You are refusing to blow. I am going to put that in my report. You are under arrest for driving under the influence. Put your hands behind your back.

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Quick Reference: DUI Test Clues

Test	Clues to Document
HGN	Lack of smooth pursuit, distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation, onset prior to 45 degrees
Walk and Turn	Cannot balance during instructions, starts too soon, stops walking, misses heel-toe, steps off line, uses arms, loses balance on turn, wrong number of steps
One Leg Stand	Sways, uses arms, hops, puts foot down before 30 seconds

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Ready to Test Your DUI Stop Spanish?

Think you’ve mastered DUI stop and field sobriety test phrases? Test your skills with our interactive quiz.

🧠 ➡️ Take the Spanish DUI Stops Quiz

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Related Guides from the Law Enforcement Hub

• Spanish for Traffic Stops
• Spanish Miranda Rights & Arrest Procedures
• Spanish for Medical Emergencies
• Spanish for Consent to Search

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