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.   To register for this course, students are required to electronically submit a Training Request form (CHP522) to the course coordinator identified in the class description below.  An email with a name and POST ID number will not suffice to reserve a spot in this class.
​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 Impaired Driving Section at (916) 843-4360 or DRE@chp.ca.gov.

​Upcoming SFST Classes

8/17 – 8/19/2026 – San Francisco

Start Time: 08/17/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 08/19/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator May Huang via e-mail at may.huang@sfgov.org.  For more information, please call (415) 401-4607.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-016
Event Location: 350 Amber Drive, San Francisco, CA 94131.
8/24 – 8/26/2026 – Aliso Viejo***THIS CLASS IS FULL***

Start Time: 08/24/2026 8:00 AM

End Time: 08/26/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Elliott 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: 1270-20290-26-002

Event Location: 100 Park Avenue, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 – Aliso Viejo Ranch.
8/24 - 8/26/2026 – Lynwood

Start Time: 08/24/2026 7:00 AM
End Time: 08/26/2026 4:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Nestor Garcia via e-mail at ngarcia@lasd.org.  For more information, please call (562) 716-0799.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-021
Event Location: 11703 S. Alameda Street, Lynwood, CA  90262 – Century Sheriff’s Station
8/25 – 8/26/2026 – Novato

Start Time: 08/25/2026 8:00 AM

End Time: 08/26/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Bryce Morgan via e-mail at bryce.morgan@chp.ca.gov.  For more information, please call (279) 224-6336.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: No

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-010

Event Location: 909 Machin Avenue, Navato, CA 94945.
8/31 – 9/1/2026 – Beverly Hills

Start Time: 08/31/2026 7:00 AM
End Time: 09/01/2026 4:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Dale Drummond via e-mail at DBdrummond@beverlyhills.org.  For more information, please call (310) 285-2173 or (805) 217-0370.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-020
Event Location: 464 North Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
9/9 – 9/10/2026 – San Mateo

Start Time: 09/09/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 09/10/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Jeffrey Thompson via e-mail at JTHOMPSON@CITYOFSANMATEO.ORG.  For more information, please call (650) 759-2867.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-017
Event Location: 200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403 – San Mateo Police Department #EOC Classroom.
9/14 – 9/15/2026 – Alturas

Start Time: 09/14/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 09/15/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Bryce Morgan via e-mail at bryce.morgan@chp.ca.gov.  For more information, please call (279) 224-6336.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-024
Event Location: 211 E. 1st Street, Alturas, CA 96101.
9/14 – 9/15/2026 – Simi Valley

Start Time: 09/14/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 09/15/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Kathi Borovay via e-mail at kborovay@simivalley.org.  For more information, please call (805) 583-6189.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-032
Event Location: 3901 Alamo Street, Simi Valley, CA 93063 – EOC Meeting Room.
9/15 – 9/16/2026 – San Mateo

Start Time: 09/15/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 09/16/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Jeffrey Thompson via e-mail at JTHOMPSON@CITYOFSANMATEO.ORG.  For more information, please call (650) 759-2867.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-018
Event Location: 200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403 – San Mateo Police Department #EOC Classroom.
9/14 – 9/16/2026 – Riverside

Start Time: 09/14/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 09/16/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Brian Howard via e-mail at bhoward@riversideca.gov.  For more information, please call (951) 826-8722 or (858)-334-3458.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-030
Event Location: 10540 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92505 – Community Room.
9/15 - 9/17/2026 – Manhattan Beach

Start Time: 9/15/2026 7:00 AM
End Time: 9/17/2026 4:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator David Gibbons via e-mail at dgibbons@manhattanbeach.gov.  For more information, please call (310) 802-5140 or (424) 409-9453.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-022
Event Location: 420 15th St., Manhattan Beach, CA  90266 – Manhattan Beach PD – Community Room
9/16 & 9/23/2026 – Fresno – Split Class

Start Time: 09/16/2026 4:00 PM
End Time: 09/23/2026 1:00 AM

Class Description:  To register for this split class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Timothy Dawson via e-mail at timothy.dawson@fresno.gov.  For more information, please call (559) 621-7000 or (559) 430-7832.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-031
Event Location: 2326 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721 – City of Fresno Annex.
9/28 – 9/29/2026 – Oceanside

Start Time: 09/28/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 09/29/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Christian Kelly via e-mail at cakelly@oceansideca.org.  For more information, please call (760) 529-2029.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-033
Event Location: 3306 Senior Center Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056 – El Corazon Event Center.
10/5 – 10/7/2026 – Newport Beach

Start Time: 10/05/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 10/07/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Natalie Denver via e-mail at NDENVER@NBPD.ORG.  For more information, please call (949) 644-3663.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-015
Event Location: 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92663 – Marina Park Community Center.
10/12 – 10/14/2026 – Orange

Start Time: 10/12/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 10/14/2026 4:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Amy Carr via e-mail at Acarr@orangepd.org.  For more information, please call (714) 744-4341.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-028
Event Location: 1107 Batavia Street, Orange, CA 92867 – Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
10/19 – 10/21/2026 – Redwood City

Start Time: 10/19/2026 8:00 AM

End Time: 10/21/2026 5:00 PM

 

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Katlin Olesky via e-mail kolesky@smc.gov.  For more information, please call (650) 573-2545.

 

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

 

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-003

Event Location: 1300 Maple Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 – Maple Street Correctional center Multi Use Room.
10/26 – 10/27/2026 – Gilroy

Start Time: 10/26/2026 8:00 AM

End Time: 10/27/2026 5:00 PM

 

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Raul Razo via e-mail raul.razo@cityofgilroy.org.  For more information, please call (408) 846-0521 or (846) 500-8247.

 

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

 

Fee: No

Wet Lab: No

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-004

Event Location: 7301 Hanna Street, Gilroy, CA 95020 – Gilroy Police Department Community Room.
10/26 – 10/27/2026 – Carlsbad

Start Time: 10/26/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 10/27/2026 4:30 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Heather Hutchinson via e-mail at heather.hutchinson@carlsbadca.gov.  For more information, please call (442) 339-2181 or (760) 271-4685.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-029
Event Location: 5750 Orion Street, Carlsbad, CA 92010.
11/9 – 11/11/2026 – Pacific Grove

Start Time: 11/09/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 11/11/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Maisie Webber via e-mail at Maisie.Webber@chp.ca.gov.  For more information, please call (916) 843-4358.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-026
Event Location: 834 Asilomar Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950.
12/14 - 12/16/2026 – Anaheim

Time: 12/14/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 12/16/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Lucy Mollica via e-mail  at lmollica@anaheim.net.  For more information, please call (714) 765-3862.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-023
Event Location: 8201 E Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim, CA 92808 – Anaheim Police Department East Substation.
4/7 – 4/8/2027 – Merced

Start Time: 04/07/2027 8:00 AM
End Time: 04/08/2027 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Levi Crane via e-mail at CrainL@cityofmerced.gov.  For more information, please call (209) 769-0340 or (209) 777-9471.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-025
Event Location: 611 W. 22nd Street, Merced, CA 95340.
4/14 – 4/15/2027 – Merced

Start Time: 04/14/2027 8:00 AM
End Time: 04/15/2027 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Levi Crane via e-mail at CrainL@cityofmerced.gov.  For more information, please call (209) 769-0340 or (209) 777-9471.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-027
Event Location: 611 W. 22nd Street, Merced, CA 95340 – Merced Police Department.