Police stop in a car

You are driving and an officer pulls your vehicle over.

• When driving, you generally must show your license, registration, and proof of insurance.
• Beyond identifying documents, you may decline to answer questions about where you have been or where you are going.
• You may decline consent to a search of your vehicle. Officers may still search if they have a warrant or other legal basis.
• Passengers may ask whether they are free to leave.

Common phrases people may choose to use.

• "Am I free to go?"
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• "I do not consent to a search of my vehicle."
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• "I want to remain silent."
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• !Pull over safely as soon as it is reasonable to do so.
• !Tell officers before reaching for documents (e.g., 'My license is in the glove box').
• !Refusing consent does not by itself give officers a reason to search.

• ✓Keep your hands on the steering wheel.
• ✓Stay in the car unless asked to step out.
• ✓Move slowly when retrieving documents and announce what you are doing.