Dos and Don’ts When You Are Stopped by a Police Officer

How you respond in the first few seconds of a police stop shapes everything that follows. Stay calm, keep your hands visible, and cooperate with the officer’s instructions. That’s the baseline, and it applies whether you’re being stopped in your car, on the street, or anywhere else.

Also, knowing the right question to ask a police officer and when to ask it can protect your rights without escalating the situation.

If You’re Stopped in a Vehicle

When you see the lights behind you, pull over to the right as soon as it’s safe to do so. Don’t stop in the middle of traffic or somewhere that creates a hazard. If it’s nighttime and you’re on a dark road, it’s acceptable to drive at a reduced speed with your hazard lights on until you reach a lit area.

Once you’ve stopped, shift into park. Turn off the engine. Do not reach for anything before the officer approaches. Even if you’re trying to get your license ready, that movement can look threatening before the officer has any context. Wait until they come to your window and tell you what they need.

When the officer asks for your license, registration, and insurance, tell them where those documents are before you reach for them.

If you have a weapon in the vehicle, disclose it immediately when the officer first approaches. Don’t reach toward it or gesture to where it is. Just tell them calmly.

Stay in the vehicle unless the officer specifically asks you to step out. Getting out without being told to can be perceived as a threat.

If You’re Stopped on the Street

Officers can stop and question you in public without arresting you. This is sometimes called a Terry stop, and it happens when an officer has reasonable suspicion that something is going on. Reasonable suspicion has to be specific; they can’t stop you just because you look suspicious without any other basis.

You have the right to remain silent. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’re going, where you’ve been, or what you’re doing. If you want to exercise that right, say so clearly: “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”

In some states, you are required to provide your name if asked to identify yourself, so it’s worth knowing your state’s rules on that.

You can ask whether you’re being detained or whether you’re free to go. That’s a legitimate question, and the officer is required to tell you. If they say you’re free to go, leave calmly. If they say you’re being detained, stay and comply while asserting your rights.

The Dos

Here is a more specific list of the dos if the police ever pull you over or stop you in public:

• Keep your hands visible at all times. Put them on the wheel in a vehicle or in plain sight if you’re on foot.
• Wait for the officer to approach and tell you what they need before reaching for anything. Be honest when you speak. Disclose weapons immediately.
• Stay calm throughout, even if you’re frustrated.

If you believe the stop was unlawful or you were mistreated, document everything afterward and address it through the proper channels, including filing a complaint with the department or a civilian oversight board.

The Don’ts

Here are the don’ts if you’re ever pulled over or stopped anywhere by the police:

• Don’t argue with the officer at the scene. If you believe the stop was unjustified or the ticket is wrong, the place to challenge that is in court, not on the side of the road.
• Don’t make sudden movements, especially toward the floorboard, your waistband, or the back seat.
• If you’re in a vehicle, don’t exit the vehicle unless you’re told to.
• Do not lie to the officer, no matter what.
• Do not try to put your hands on the officer or even get into their personal space.
• Never resist arrest, even if you believe the stop or search is unlawful. If you resist, you risk facing extra charges, and there are safety risks for everyone involved.

Key Takeaways

• If you were stopped while driving, pull over immediately, keep your hands on the wheel, and do not make any sudden movements.
• You have the right to remain silent beyond providing basic identifying information.
• You can refuse a search of yourself, your vehicle, or your belongings by saying so clearly.
• If the officer has probable cause or a warrant, they can proceed regardless of whether you refuse a search or not.
• Don’t argue at the scene.  
• Complying with the police in the moment certainly does not mean you’re giving up your right to challenge the stop later through the proper legal channels available.