What to Do When You Get Pulled Over

1. Be calm, respectful & cooperative

It’s common for you to feel nervous, fearful or even angry when getting pulled over. Take some deep breaths and try to relax. Unless you were driving intoxicated, hiding 15 kilos of meth in the backseat, playing real-life Grand Theft Auto or driving with Aunt Edna on the roof of your car, there’s little to be nervous about. Worst case—in all likelihood, and assuming you cooperate—you’ll get a ticket and face a slight increase in your insurance premiums. BUT if you play your cards right, you can potentially even get out of those. Which leads us to…respect.

Be respectful to the officer. No matter how you feel about the police, it’s in your best interest to show respect and cooperate with any lawful requests (other than providing consent to search your car—more on this below). Generally, being rude or aggressive will only make matters worse and increase your chances of getting a ticket, going to jail or getting seriously injured. On a similar note, don’t act like an entitled prima donna: this will not go over well. Refer to the officer as “sir,” “ma’am” or “officer.” If the officer asks for your license, registration and proof of insurance, hand it over. If the officer asks for your name and address, provide it. If the officer asks you to get out of the car, get out of the car. This is not the time to argue or get hostile; you can settle any disputes afterwards in court.

Note: While the vast majority of routine traffic stops are safe and involve moral police behavior, you cannot assume that officers will conduct themselves in a way that protects your safety and rights. Know your rights (see our separate post) and be prepared if the officer infringes upon those rights.

2. Let the officer do most of the talking

Just as being argumentative or hostile can create problems, so too can talking more than necessary. Many police officers are trained to act as though they might let you off with a warning by displaying a willingness to hear your side of the story. This is often a deceitful way of getting you to say something—such as an admission that you committed a violation or were not paying attention—that the officer can then use against you in court.

When the officer approaches your window, let the officer talk first. Respond when appropriate, and keep your answers brief and honest. Usually, the officer will first request your license, registration and proof of insurance. You must comply with this request, but wait for the officer to ask for these documents before handing them over. The officer may then ask you and the passengers basic questions to confirm the identity of each person in the car. Any questions after this initial dialogue will generally be an effort to make you incriminate yourself. A simple, “I don’t know” or “I understand” can sometimes get you through these questions. Again, the more you share, the more likely you are to admit guilt.

One important exception to this guidance: Let the officer know if you’re carrying a gun. Some states, known as “duty to inform” states, require concealed carry owners to inform officers when pulled over. Even if you don’t get pulled over in one of these states, strongly consider informing the officer that you’re carrying a gun as a courtesy to the officer, especially if it is visible or in the same location as your requested documentation (e.g., glove compartment). Familiarize yourself with the requirements in your state by referencing the gun laws by state.

3. Avoid sudden movements

As discussed earlier, the police officer will continuously evaluate whether you are a threat. If you need to reach for anything (such as your license, registration and proof of insurance), make the officer aware first and move deliberately. Otherwise, leave your hands on the steering wheel or where the officer can see them.

4. Understand traffic violation accusation

Police are required to have “reasonable suspicion” to pull you over, but this is a relatively low and subjective threshold. If the officer does not immediately tell you why he or she pulled you over, politely ask for the reason (without stirring an argument).  

5. Consider strategies to get out of ticket

There’s no assured way to maneuver your way out of a ticket. You’ve probably heard of some of the common methods: balling your eyes out, begging for mercy, flirtatious behavior, etc. But before you jump to any of these cringeworthy tactics, consider the following options to potentially help you drive away with a warning:

i. Be polite and non-threatening

Again, be as courteous and friendly to the officer as possible.

ii. Reference your honorable profession

If you have a demanding occupation, especially one that provides value to the community (and in particular, the police), find a way to bring this up in the conversation with the officer. Police can be hesitant to fine those in similar positions or who directly benefit public service. Try mentioning that you were on your way to work, and then go from there.

Additional options if you DO NOT plan to formally fight the ticket in court:

iii. Act confused

Police may give you the benefit of the doubt if you are new to the area and unaware of the traffic laws. With this in mind, you can try acting as if you are from out of town and thus were not aware of the speed limit, stop sign, etc. (Note this will not work if you get pulled over near your home address). Bring on your best Oscar-winning performance: for example, act surprised when you hear how fast you were driving, and describe how you typically drive the same speed as your 90-year-old grandmother.

iv. Apologize

Sometimes, a direct admission and apology can work in your favor. This may work best with a very minor infraction, such as not using your turn signal or rolling through a stop sign. If you provide a sincere apology and share that you will be more careful next time, the cop might let you off with a warning.

v. Late for a lifechanging event

If you are truly desperate, you can claim that you are on your way to a monumental event, such as the birth of a child, an emergency surgery or a wedding. I personally don’t condone this option, but to each their own—just make sure you play out the scenario in full in case the officer follows (or gives you a police escort).

vi. Cry uncontrollably

Time for yet another Oscar-winning performance. If you’re sobbing and trembling hysterically like a two-year-old who just lost a blankie, sometimes an officer can’t help but pity you. Before you go down this path, consider whether self-respect is important to you.

6. DO NOT consent to a search of your car

On occasion, police may casually ask if they can take a look in your car. NEVER consent to this, no matter how innocent the request appears; nothing good can come from it. By law, the officer can only search your car in the following circumstances:

• If you provide consent (don’t do this)
• If you have something illegal in plain view (e.g., open beer or wine bottles, joints, dead Aunt Edna)
• If you have already been arrested
• If there is probable cause that a crime has been committed
• If evidence from a crime is at risk of immediately being destroyed

Outside of these scenarios, officers need a warrant to search your car. Politely decline, and say that you know you may do so under your Fourth Amendment right.

7. Sign the citation

Even if you believe you are innocent, sign the officer’s citation. The citation is not an admission of guilt—it’s only a recognition that you have received the citation and will pay the fine or appear in court on the designated date.

8. Safely merge back into traffic

This may sound obvious, but be careful when merging back into traffic. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you and inadvertently pull out into oncoming traffic. Take some deep breaths, put away your belongings, turn on your signal and safely merge back into traffic.

9. Consider fighting the ticket in court

Many people find it easier to just pay the ticket fine rather than fighting it in court, especially if it is only for a minor traffic violation. However, if the ticket would result in a suspension of your driver’s license or large hike in your insurance premiums, the effort can pay off. Or maybe you are determined to prove that you are innocent or the ticket is unjustified.

If you do plan to fight the ticket, make sure you are organized and prepared (or consider involving a lawyer). You can improve your chances of dismissal if you can identify any false information on the ticket or provide any other proof of your innocence. Or, who knows, maybe the officer won’t show and you can get the case dismissed immediately.