NHTSA EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
What does "NHTSA" stand for? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
Define a "drug"? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Any substance when taken into the body can impair
one's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely
What are the 5 eye examinations? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅1. Resting nystagmus
2. Tracking ability
3. Pupil size
4. HGN
5. VGN
Define "Resting nystagmus"? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The involuntary jerking of the eyes as the
eyes look straight forward
Resting nystagmus usually indicates the presence of what? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Usually
indicates a pathological disorder or high dose of PCP
If the two eyes do not track properly, it might indicate what? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The
possibility of a medical condition or injury
If the "Pupil size" of both eyes are drastically different, it usually indicates what? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Usually indicates that the subject is suffering from a head injury or a neurological
disorder
If "Pupils" are noticeably dilated, the possibility exists that the subject could be impaired by what? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Cannabis, CNS stimulant, or Hallucinogen
What are "Standardized Field Sobriety Tests"? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A battery of scientifically
validated tests to determine whether a subject is impaired by alcohol
, Define "Horizontal Gaze nystagmus"? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The involuntary jerking as the eyes
gaze to the side
What causes nystagmus? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Alcohol and certain other drugs
What are the 6 clues of HGN? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅1. Lack of smooth pursuit
2. Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation
3. Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees
How do you administer the HGN test? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅1. Instruct the subject to stand with
their feet together, arms at sides, hold the head still, and follow the stimulus with their eyes only.
2. Hold stimulus 12 - 15 inches from subject's nose slightly above eye level
3. Start with subject's left eye
4. Conduct two or more "passes" before each eye to look for the clues of nystagmus
What did the Southern California Research Institute conclude about the HGN test? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅That just 4 of 6 clues on HGN is 88% accurate at detecting subjects at or above a.10
BAC
Name the 3 phases of DUI detection? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅1. Vehicle in motion
2. Personal contact
3. Pre-Arrest screening
Describe the "Vehicle in motion" phase? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Observing the vehicle in
operation
Describe the "Personal contact" phase? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Observing and speaking to the
driver face to face
What does "NHTSA" stand for? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
Define a "drug"? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Any substance when taken into the body can impair
one's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely
What are the 5 eye examinations? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅1. Resting nystagmus
2. Tracking ability
3. Pupil size
4. HGN
5. VGN
Define "Resting nystagmus"? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The involuntary jerking of the eyes as the
eyes look straight forward
Resting nystagmus usually indicates the presence of what? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Usually
indicates a pathological disorder or high dose of PCP
If the two eyes do not track properly, it might indicate what? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The
possibility of a medical condition or injury
If the "Pupil size" of both eyes are drastically different, it usually indicates what? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Usually indicates that the subject is suffering from a head injury or a neurological
disorder
If "Pupils" are noticeably dilated, the possibility exists that the subject could be impaired by what? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Cannabis, CNS stimulant, or Hallucinogen
What are "Standardized Field Sobriety Tests"? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A battery of scientifically
validated tests to determine whether a subject is impaired by alcohol
, Define "Horizontal Gaze nystagmus"? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The involuntary jerking as the eyes
gaze to the side
What causes nystagmus? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Alcohol and certain other drugs
What are the 6 clues of HGN? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅1. Lack of smooth pursuit
2. Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation
3. Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees
How do you administer the HGN test? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅1. Instruct the subject to stand with
their feet together, arms at sides, hold the head still, and follow the stimulus with their eyes only.
2. Hold stimulus 12 - 15 inches from subject's nose slightly above eye level
3. Start with subject's left eye
4. Conduct two or more "passes" before each eye to look for the clues of nystagmus
What did the Southern California Research Institute conclude about the HGN test? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅That just 4 of 6 clues on HGN is 88% accurate at detecting subjects at or above a.10
BAC
Name the 3 phases of DUI detection? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅1. Vehicle in motion
2. Personal contact
3. Pre-Arrest screening
Describe the "Vehicle in motion" phase? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Observing the vehicle in
operation
Describe the "Personal contact" phase? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Observing and speaking to the
driver face to face
