---
title: "What is the HGN test in Rhode Island?"
description: "HGN is the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, the first NHTSA standardized field sobriety test. The officer holds a stimulus about 12-15 inches from the driver's face and moves it slowly side to side,..."
url: https://riduilaws.com/faq-items/what-is-the-hgn-test-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-10-29
modified: 2026-10-29
author: "RI DUI Laws"
type: faq
lang: en
---

# What is the HGN test in Rhode Island?

HGN is the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, the first NHTSA standardized field sobriety test. The officer holds a stimulus about 12-15 inches from the driver's face and moves it slowly side to side, watching for involuntary eye jerking (nystagmus). The officer scores 6 possible clues. NHTSA studies claim 88% accuracy when administered properly, but the test is highly vulnerable to administration errors and medical false positives.

What is the HGN test in Rhode Island?[RI DUI Laws](https://riduilaws.com/author/admin_xxgjem88/)2026-10-29T22:17:32+00:00