Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement

This comprehensive 16-hour program is designed to fill the knowledge gap between foundational SFST training and advanced Drug Recognition Expert certification. Participants will develop the skills to observe, recognize, and articulate indicators of impairment resulting from alcohol, drugs, or combinations thereof.

Course Content Overview

The training provides an in-depth examination of seven major drug categories and their physiological effects on the human body. Instruction also covers medical conditions and other factors that may produce signs similar to drug impairment. Particular emphasis is placed on how eye examination procedures can reveal the likelihood of drug impairment and help identify the specific drug category or categories involved.

Participants receive the most current instruction in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing methods. The course also addresses the legal framework governing impaired driving enforcement, including both pre-arrest and post-arrest procedures.

Topic Areas

• Understanding drugs within the context of DWI enforcement
• Eye examination techniques for detecting impairment indicators
• Medical and other conditions that mimic signs of impairment
• Recognition of the seven major drug categories and their effects
• Observable and physiological effects of individual drugs and drug combinations
• Appropriate protocols for managing drug-impaired and medically-impaired suspects
• Updates to Standardized Field Sobriety Testing procedures
• Legal considerations in impaired driving cases
• Pre- and post-arrest procedures and documentation

Intended Audience

This course is designed for patrol officers, DUI specialists and investigators, supervisory personnel, prosecutors, and individuals pursuing Drug Recognition Expert credentials. Enrollment is restricted to active, sworn law enforcement personnel and prosecuting attorneys employed by government agencies.

Florida Law Enforcement Personnel: FDOT grant-funded seating is available exclusively to Florida sworn law enforcement officers (federal and military law enforcement agencies in Florida do not qualify for grant funding).

Prerequisites

Successful completion of the IACP/NHTSA National DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing program, or an equivalent course, is required prior to enrollment. Participants must also demonstrate proficiency in administering the SFST battery to successfully complete this course. A maximum of two proficiency testing attempts is permitted.

Important Note

This course does not qualify participants to serve as Drug Recognition Experts. However, it does incorporate the former 8-hour Drugs That Impair Driving curriculum.

Course Details

Duration: 16 hours

Class Hours: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Tuition: $495.00 (Grant-funded seats available at no cost for eligible Florida law enforcement officers)

Multiple Scheduled Locations

The course is offered at various locations throughout Florida on the following dates:

• Port Richey: November 5-6, 2026 at Port Richey Police Department, 6333 Ridge Road, Port Richey, FL 34668
• South Miami: December 10-11, 2026 at South Miami Police Department Training Center, 5825 Southwest 68th Street, Suite 3, South Miami, FL 33143
• Orlando: December 10-11, 2026 at Orange County Sheriff's Office, 2500 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32804
• Cocoa: January 14-15, 2027 at Florida Highway Patrol - Cocoa, 3775 West King Street, Cocoa, FL 32926 (Instructors: Anthony Palese, Channing Taylor)
• Ocala: January 28-29, 2027 at Marion County Emergency Operations Center, 692 Northwest 30th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475
• Sarasota: February 4-5, 2027 at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, 6000 Rick Piccolo Circle, Sarasota, FL 34243
• Stuart: April 1-2, 2027 at Stuart Police Department Emergency Operations Center, 830 Southeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994
• Marathon: April 15-16, 2027 at Monroe County Sheriff's Office Aviation Hangar, 10100 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

Eligible Florida law enforcement officers seeking grant-funded tuition support should register through the Florida Grant Funded Training Catalog.