SFST

Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Course

​Background:

In the 1970s, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began sponsoring research studies into the development of standardized tests for law enforcement officers to use to evaluate levels of impairment in drivers suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs or driving while intoxicated (DWI).  A number of tests were studied, and some of them were validated by the studies as being accurate indicators of impairment. 

The Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) course, also known as the DUI or DWI Detection course,  is a comprehensive course that is designed to increase the student's ability to detect impairment in drivers.  The fundamental purpose of this training course is to foster DWI deterrence, i.e., to dissuade people from driving while impaired by increasing the odds that they will be arrested and convicted. SFST training focuses on the three-phases of the DUI/DWI detection investigation, and especially on the battery of three tests that were validated by NHTSA in their studies. Students in this class learn how to recognize and document the presence or lack of clues from each test that indicate impairment in suspected DUI subjects. Successful completion of this class has resulted in attendees' improved ability to remove impaired drivers from California's roadways.

Course Description

This course is a 16 hour classroom course which includes instruction on:

  • NHTSA Studies
  • General Deterrence
  • Physiology
  • Vehicle Code Review
  • Detection as a Three-Phase Process
  • Processing the Arrested Subject
  • Courtroom Testimony
  • SFST Instruction & Proficiency Testing
  • Report Writing
Pre-requisites

In order to be considered for training in the SFST program, a person must be employed under direct contact of a criminal justice agency or institution involved in providing training services to law enforcement agencies.
​Registration

Upcoming classes may be found in the Schedule of Classes page under SFST.  In order to register for this course, students are required to electronically submit a Training Request form to the course coordinator. An email with a name and POST ID number will not suffice to reserve a roster spot.
​Fees & Costs

There is no registration fee to attend this course. If a facility use fee is charged by the hosting agency, it will be noted in the expanded course description. This course is funded through the California Office of Traffic Safety DRE Grant. Travel reimbursement is not available for this course.
​Hosting

If your agency is interested in hosting this course at your training facility, please contact the SFST State Coordinator, Officer Bryce Morgan at (916) 843-6336 or Bryce.Morgan@chp.ca.gov.

​Upcoming SFST Classes

7/28-7/30/2025 – Chula Vista

Start Time: 07/28/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 07/30/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Alicia McLaughlin via e-mail achudy@chulavistapd.org.  For more information, please call (619) 407-3524.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-022

Event Location: CVPD 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 (3rd Floor Training Room)
8/5-8/6/2025 – Stateline, Nevada

Start Time: 08/05/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 08/06/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register please submit a CHP 522 Training Request form to Michelle Merrill via e-mail MERRILL@CRPOA.ORG.  For information, please call (916) 204-0868. 

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: No

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-24-005

Event Location: 55 Highway 50, Stateline, Nevada 89449

Event Location:  10540 Magnolia Ave. Riverside CA 92505 / Training Room
8/11-8/13/2025 – Riverside ***THIS CLASS IS FULL***

Start Time: 08/11/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 08/13/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Jeff Derouin via e-mail jderouin@riversideca.gov.  For more information, please call work (951) 826-8722 or cell (951) 295-7119.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-017

Event Location: 10540 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92505 – Upstairs Training Room.
8/12-8/14/2025 – San Bernardino PD

Start Time: 08/12/2025 7:00 AM

End Time: 08/14/2025 4:00 PM

Class Description:  To register please submit a CHP 522 Training Request form to Jarred Heim via e-mail Heim_Ja@sbcity.org.  For information, please call work (909) 384-5791 or cell (909) 314-3756.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-007

Event Location: 710 N. D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401 – San Bernardino Police Department (Main Training Room).
8/19-8/21/2025 – Irvine PD

Start Time: 08/19/2025 0800

End Time: 08/21/2025 1700

Rollup Description:  To register please submit a CHP 522 Training Request form to Haldor Larum via e-mail hlarum@cityofirvine.org.

For information, please call (949) 724-7000 or (949) 300-3492.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-24-004

Event Location: 39 Shady Canyon Drive, Irvine, CA 92603
9/15-9/17/2025 – Orange

Start Time: 09/15/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 09/17/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Elliot Rubright via e-mail Erubright@ocsheriff.gov.  For more information, please call (714) 912-3388.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-021

Event Location: 1900 W Katella Ave., Orange, CA 92867
9/22-9/24/2025 – Redwood City

Start Time: 09/22/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 09/24/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register please submit a CHP 522 Training Request form to Gina Sheridan via e-mail gsheridan@smcgov.org.  For information, please call (650) 573-2545.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-24-001

Event Location: 1300 Maple Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 – Maple Street Correctional Center Multi-use Room.
9/22-9/24/2025 – Santa Monica

Start Time: 09/22/2025 7:00 AM

End Time: 09/24/2025 4:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Evan Raleigh via e-mail evan.raleigh@santamonica.gov.  For more information, please call (310) 458-8954.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-014

Event Location: 330 Olympic Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90401
10/27-10/28/2025 – Gilroy

Start Time: 10/27/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 10/28/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register please submit a CHP 522 Training Request form to Raul Razo via e-mail raul.razo@cityofgilroy.org.  For information, please call (408) 500-8247.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: No

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-24-003

Event Location: 7301 Hanna Street, Gilroy, CA 95020 – Gilroy Police Department.
11/17-11/19/2025 – Redwood City

Start Time: 11/17/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 11/19/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register please submit a CHP 522 Training Request form to Gina Sheridan via e-mail gsheridan@smcgov.org.  For information, please call (650) 573-2545.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-24-002

Event Location: 1300 Maple Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 – Maple Street Correctional Center Multi-use Room.
11/18-11/20/2025 – Riverside

Start Time: 11/18/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 11/20/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register please submit a CHP 522 Training Request form to Jeff Derouin via e-mail jderouin@riversideca.gov.  For information, please call (650) 573-2545.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-24-00

Event Location: 10540 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA 92505