You just got pulled over
What to hand over, what you don't have to answer, what to say if they ask to search, and what to do after.
// DURING THE STOP
01
Pull over safely and keep your hands visible
Signal, pull to the right somewhere well lit if you can, turn the engine off, and put the window down. At night, turn on the dome light. Keep your hands on the wheel until the officer arrives, and tell them where your documents are before reaching for them.
02
Hand over license, registration, and insurance
If you're driving, that's what you're required to provide. Passengers generally don't have to answer questions — though in some states anyone must give their name if police have reasonable suspicion of a crime. If you're ordered out of the car, comply: that's legal during a traffic stop.
03
You don't have to answer questions
“Do you know why I stopped you?” “Where are you headed?” “Have you had anything to drink?” — you can decline, politely:
“I don't answer questions, officer. Here are my documents.”
Anything you say can be used against you — and explaining yourself rarely talks you out of a ticket.04
If they ask to search: say no, out loud
“I do not consent to searches.”
Saying no isn't evidence of guilt. If they search anyway — because they claim probable cause or have a warrant — don't physically resist. Your refusal matters later, in court.05
Ask if you're free to go
“Officer, am I free to go?”
If yes, leave calmly. If no, you're being detained — stay calm and stay quiet.06
You can record — just don't reach suddenly
Filming police doing their job in public is protected by the First Amendment. Say that you're recording, keep the phone visible, and don't let it become a reason for the stop to escalate.
// IF IT GOES FURTHER
07
If you're arrested, say the words — then stop talking
Staying silent isn't enough on its own. You have to say it:
“I am invoking my right to remain silent. I want a lawyer.”
Then say nothing else until you have one. Police don't have to read you Miranda rights just because you're arrested — only before a custodial interrogation.08
Getting a ticket: sign it, fight it later
In most states signing a ticket isn't admitting guilt — it acknowledges you received it, and refusing to sign can get you arrested in some. The place to contest it is court, not the roadside.
09
Afterward: write it all down
- Officer's name, badge number, and car number
- Time, exact location, and what was said
- Any witnesses, and your own recording
- If you believe the stop or search was unlawful, a lawyer can request bodycam and dashcam footage
General information, not legal, medical, or financial advice — laws vary by state. For anything with real stakes, use this to walk into a conversation with a professional informed.
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“What to hand over, what you don't have to answer, what to say if they ask to search, and what to do after.”