What are my rights after getting pulled over by a cop while driving?

You’re driving to your destination, paying attention to the road, when you hear the sirens. Either way, you know what to expect: the general nervousness, the tense questions. But drivers and passengers have general citizen rights that police can’t violate, protecting you under state and/or federal laws. Knowing your rights can save you time, money and potential legal trouble.

What are the laws if an officer pulls me over?

The rights of motorists that kick in after a traffic stop can vary by state laws, as can the legal outcomes of specific situations — such as a routine traffic stop that escalates to an arrest.

For example, an officer needs a reason, called “probable cause,” to pull you over in the first place. That can be anything from speeding or not signaling a turn to having expired plates or a broken tail light.

Keep in mind a few key protections and how they apply if you’re stopped by police.

Your rights as a driver

1. You can wait to pull over right away if it’s not safe.
2. Officers require probable cause to pull you over.
3. You can call on your Fifth Amendment right to stay quiet.
4. You don’t have to take a roadside breathalyzer test.
5. You have to stop at police checkpoints if you’re selected.
6. You can record encounters with police.
7. Police can search your vehicle with enough reason.
8. The laws about traffic stops in each state are often different.
9. You can protest an illegal stop with legal help.

You have the right of safety.

If you’re on a busy highway or on a dark part of the road with no other vehicles around, you aren’t required to stop on the roadside if you think it looks unsafe. That could mean avoiding stopping on a busy road, a dangerous street or narrow shoulder in favor of finding a well lit parking lot or the next highway exit.

That’s not to say you can drive on indefinitely with a police car trying to pull you over. But if you slow down and turn on your blinker or hazard lights, you have the right to proceed a short distance until you’re able to stop safely. Just indicate to the police officer that you’re trying to comply.

Police officers require probable cause.

Besides checking your license and registration to make sure you’re legally allowed to drive, cops can also check inside your car. But police must have probable cause to take a closer look at you or your vehicle. Probable cause, however, is broad. It could be something as minor as an air freshener — many states technically prohibit hanging anything from your rearview mirror if it can possibly hinder your view of the road ahead.

After officers demonstrate probable cause for a traffic stop, they can investigate anything suspicious they see, hear or smell in your car. They can also do a body search or check your backpack or purse if they suspect you’re hiding drugs or weapons.

Even if you don’t agree with a cop’s reason for pulling you over, or if the probable cause is thin, you’re still responsible for any fines or tickets as a result of the traffic stop.

You have the right to remain silent.

After an officer pulls you over, they will likely ask you a series of questions. If you feel that you have nothing to hide, cooperating with the police officer as much as possible could alleviate the tension and get you back on the road faster.

But the law supports your refusal to answer any or all of an officer’s questions. Simply refusing to talk can make the situation more difficult, so you may need to verbally invoke the Fifth Amendment to remain silent. Some lawyers may also recommend asking if you’re free to go, or simply saying that you don’t need to answer any questions and would like your lawyer.

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You can refuse a roadside sobriety test.

If asked to blow into a breathalyzer during a traffic stop, you’re allowed to refuse. However, refusing means that an officer has the right to take you to a police station or hospital, where you could be subject to a blood or urine test.

You can be arrested if you fail a field sobriety test, which could include demonstrating being able to walk in a straight line, for example. In most states, you do have the right to request a blood test at the hospital at your own expense within a reasonable amount of time, but you won’t be able to choose what kind of test the officer uses. Refusing to take any test will typically automatically come with a DUI charge and/or license suspension.

Taking or refusing the roadside breathalyzer test can have specific consequences that depend on your state and how much you’ve had to drink:

• In New York and several other states, you’re subject to a separate penalty for refusing a roadside test. The state can suspend your driver’s license for an entire year, even if you were never drinking in the first place.
• In Oklahoma and other states, if your BAC is 0.15 higher, you can face aggravated DUI charges, which are far more severe than your typical DUI charge. If you think you might be in that range when an officer stops you, refusing that first test and waiting for a more controlled test at the hospital or police station might be worth it.

Lawyers frequently advise the public to blow into a breathalyzer during a traffic stop if an officer asks you to. A roadside breathalyzer typically won’t hold up in court as well as more controlled tests that take place in a hospital or police station. If your lawyer can prove that the roadside test was inaccurate or not administered correctly, it could work in your favor later.

What are the penalties of a DUI or DWI?

You must stop at police checkpoints.

If you see a police checkpoint ahead on the road, you’re required to stop if your vehicle is selected. Police officers typically don’t check every vehicle that comes through a checkpoint — it’s often every other vehicle or every third one — but if yours is selected, expect to present your driver’s license, proof of car insurance and car registration.

You can record encounters with police using a dash camera.

Using a dash cam can help you in certain scenarios during a police stop. No federal law outlaws dashcams, but take care not to run afoul of other laws in the process. For example, some states prohibit mounting anything on the windshield, including a dashcam, because it could possibly obstruct the driver’s view.

Other laws pertain to legal surveillance. Depending on the state you’re in and whether you live in a one party or two party consent state, it could be against the law to record the conversations of your passengers without explicitly announcing that you’re doing so. If you plan to use a dash camera, especially when it comes to encounters with law enforcement, it’s best to be above-board and transparent about any recording devices in use.

It’s also worth noting that while you’re legally allowed to record an encounter with police, and may want to do so if you think the recordings can help you later, it can make a tense situation even worse if the officer tells you to stop recording and you refuse to comply.

When can police search my vehicle?

If an officer has a warrant to search your vehicle, you don’t have a choice — you’re legally required to allow them to.

But in several situations, police are allowed to search your vehicle even without a warrant.

• After you’ve given consent. If you tell police they are allowed to conduct a search, they have the right to do so. Anything they find during a search you’ve consented to is fair game for issuing a ticket or pursuing legal action against you.
• When something is in the open. The plain-view doctrine allows police to investigate if contraband or illegal substances are clearly visible to an officer during a traffic stop. For example, if an officer sees drug paraphernalia lying on the floor of your car, they have enough reason to perform a full legal search on your vehicle without needing a warrant.
• When you are arrested. If the police have enough evidence to justify arresting you during a traffic stop, they’re allowed to search your car as well.
• When police have reasonable suspicion. There’s a lot of gray area with this one, but “reasonable suspicion” is meant to give police the chance to investigate whenever they consider it necessary. It’s not illegal for you to insist staying in the driver’s seat, and it’s also not illegal to, say, have something suspicious in your car, even something that looks like blood smeared inside your car, for example. But these situations are enough for an officer to think you might be up to no good. If officers choose to, they can claim reasonable suspicion about your appearance or behavior to justify a search.
• When there are high priority circumstances. If an officer thinks you’re about to destroy or hide evidence, they may be allowed to break the law to get their hands on that evidence. That means if you’re pulled over and appear frantic to hide or discard an object, an officer can use your behavior as justification to conduct a legal search right then.

What do you do during a traffic stop?

As soon as you see the sirens, slow down, put on your turn signal and pull over to a safe spot. Turn off any music or GPS, and turn on the light in your car if it’s dark out. Stay in your car unless the officer asks you to exit.

Keep your hands in plain sight or on the steering wheel, and ask any passengers to do the same for safety. If you’re extra cautious, sometimes it’s a good idea to wait until the officer asks for your license, insurance and registration before rifling through your glovebox. Otherwise a cop might think you’re looking for a weapon or stashing evidence.

Be polite and direct if the cop asks you questions. If the officer asks why they pulled you over, it’s often a good idea to say you don’t know. Otherwise you could be giving the cop evidence of exactly how fast you were going, for example, or admit to a traffic violation the cop isn’t aware of.

What do cops see when they run your license plate?

When the police put your license plate info in their database, they can see basic info about the car and driver, including the car’s make and model and info available on your driver’s license. The main reason cops check plates is to see if the driver has any current or outstanding driving or criminal charges, such as a suspended license or arrest warrant.

What happens if I get a ticket?

Don’t try to argue once the ticket is written. You can still fight it in court later, even if it’s a serious offense. Sign the ticket and keep it for reference. You can pull back into traffic safely once the officer lets you know the process is over.

What happens when police officers violate the law?

Occasionally, an officer stops a driver for a minor traffic violation and then goes beyond the legal limits to investigate the situation. In these cases, the driver becomes a victim of the officer’s abuse of power.

If this happens to you, you can often pursue legal action or file a civil suit against the officer, the police department, the city or even the state.

Not every police officer performing a traffic stop, vehicle search or other investigation is worth going to court over. But if you feel that you are the victim of an especially bad stop in which a law enforcement officer acted unreasonably or crossed a line, consult with a lawyer to see what your options are.

A major lawsuit — and win — in a traffic assault

A well-publicized case of a traffic stop that severely violated a driver’s rights involved a driver who was stopped by police for failing to heed a stop sign. One of the officers ordered the driver out of the vehicle on the suspicion that he was hiding drugs on his body.

Based on that suspicion, officers obtained a search warrant and took the driver to a medical center, where he received invasive bodily searches throughout the night — all of which failed to find any drugs. He was released in the morning, after police concluded they had nothing to charge him with.

As a result of his serious invasion of privacy and emotional stress, the driver filed a civil suit against the police department that was eventually settled for $1.6 million in the victim’s favor.

Bottom line

While nothing can guarantee a smooth interaction with law enforcement during a traffic stop, you can protect yourself legally and increase the chances of a favorable outcome by knowing your rights and allowable actions as a citizen. If you’re in doubt about the law or a specific situation involving the police, talk with a lawyer or your car insurance agent who can direct you toward the best course of action.

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Frequently asked questions about traffic stops

• What counts as a traffic stop?

  A traffic stop is when a police officer pulls over your car for a suspected or witnessed infraction, such as going 45 mph in a 30 mph zone or cutting off another driver in a dangerous way.

• During a traffic stop, what's the best way to talk to a police officer?

  During a traffic stop, there’s no harm in extending the basic courtesy you would to anybody in a position of authority. In general, addressing a police officer professionally and using good manners could result in a more favorable outcome. That includes saying “please” and “thank you” and keeping your voice at a reasonable volume, unless it’s to make yourself heard over passing traffic.

  If you’d rather not say anything to the officer without a lawyer present, you can invoke your Fifth Amendment rights. Telling them you’d rather not answer what you’ve been asked is legally within your rights, but it could make your interaction with the officer less friendly as a result.

• What documentation do I need when I'm pulled over?

  Basic documents to keep in your vehicle at all times include your driver’s license, proof of insurance and your vehicle’s registration. Usually the officer will return these items to you before leaving, except in a few cases such as a DUI, where your license might be taken away. You might be given a temporary license in this case.

  If you don’t have your license or other documents with you, in some states you can ask to provide proof later, or ask the cop to look up your details instead.

  If you own special permits, such as one for a concealed weapon or for transporting opened containers of alcohol, you’ll want to keep those handy too. Some alcohol distributors send salespeople to restaurants or stores with samples of beer, wine or liquor. In these instances, a special permit allows that salesperson to carry inside the car an uncorked bottle of wine or a bottle of liquor with a broken seal.

• Is it better to take a roadside sobriety test if I'm pulled over or refuse it?

  This is a question best answered by an attorney. States enforce different laws that cover what happens after you refuse to take a roadside sobriety test.

  That said, most lawyers who publish their opinions say you should never refuse the initial roadside test. Its results aren’t meant to be conclusive and only serve as grounds for more accurate testing if you blow over the limit during a traffic stop. What’s more, that roadside breathalyzer test can give your attorney something to work with if the test is found to be inaccurate or poorly administered in any way.

  Refusing to take a breathalyzer test, whether it’s during a traffic stop or in a hospital or police station, could land you into big trouble. In New York, for example, refusing the test can result in severe penalties, even if it turns out you weren’t drinking at all.

• Can cops run your plates without permission?

  Yes, it’s perfectly legal for a cop to run a search for your plate number or VIN, even without probably cause.

• Is it legal for cop cars to be hidden?

  Yes, there’s no law that says cops have to be visible to clock your speed. Many drivers slow down or drive more safely when they spot a cop, so police have learned to find the best hiding spots so they won’t be seen.

• Can an officer open my car door?

  No, typically that’s not allowed unless you’ve consented to a car search.

• Why would a cop act hostile during a traffic stop?

  Even if you’ve done nothing wrong and don’t seem threatening, one tactic a police officer might use is to put you on edge by asking strange, unwarranted or aggressive questions. The thinking is you’re more likely to confess to any driving infractions. The best tactic is to stay polite and not to admit to anything.

• Why did the cop make me get out of the car or throw my keys out the window?

  If the cops decide it’s a high risk traffic stop, they may take extra precautions to protect their officers. For your own safety, it’s often best to communicate that you’ll follow the instructions and then do what the police say.

  You or your passengers might be asked to exit the car immediately and put your hands up or behind your head, and then walk towards the officer or sit on the curb. If you’re unable to follow any instructions, such as if you have a disability or are holding a baby, let the cop know that you would like to comply and why you can’t.

• What happens if I get too many points on my driving record?

  The points system varies by state, but typically minor offenses add only 1 or 2 points to your record up to 4 to 6 points for more serious offenses like a hit and run. Your license might be suspended after a serious offense or getting too many points on your license. Having too many points typically won’t send you to prison, but the offense itself might include jailtime, like a second DUI.