Below is a summary of the Palm Pat Test used by officers in Boating Under the Influence cases. The instructions are lengthy and confusing if it is your first time ever hearing them. There are also alleged "clues" that the officer is looking for and most people do not think they have made any errors on the test.

​INSTRUCTIONS: on the Palm Pat Test: 

1. Place your hands palm to palm, one hand up and one hand down;
2. Remain in this position while I explain the test;
3. When I tell you to begin, you're going to turn your top hand over, count out loud "`1", turn your hand back over and count out loud "2" (then officer demonstrates)
4. Repeat this action, speed up as you go, and do not stop until told;
5. Make sure to keep your hands and fingers parallel during each task;
6. Do not Twist them, keep them straight

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THE CLUES: on the Palm Pat Test:
The officer will then begin a sequence of instructions by varying which finger to use (left or right) to touch your nose.
There are 10 different boxes that an officer may check on the field sobriety sheet to mark you for a "clue" on the test. These are the clues:

1. The person was unable to follow instructions;
2. The person started at the wrong time;
3. The person did not count as instructed;
4. The person made an "improper pat";
5. The person "rolled" their hands;
6. The person did not increase their speed as the test progressed;
7. The person made a "double pat";
8. The person "rotated" their hands;
9. The person "chopped" their pat;
10. The person stopped the test before being told to do so.

​Below is an example of the clues that an officer noted on the Pal Pat Test in an actual Georgia BUI case:
**Instructional stage- Unable to follow directions, and stated at the wrong time.
**Performance stage- Did not count as instructed, other improper pat, rolled hands, did not increase speed, double pat, rotated hands, chopped pat, stopped before told. This person was given 8 "clues" on the Palm Pat Test.