What Are Your Rights During a Traffic Stop?

Being pulled over is one of the most common police encounters, and it's normal to feel nervous even when you've done nothing wrong. Here's a calm, general overview of what's typically expected of you — and what you can decline.

What you generally must do

Pull over safely as soon as you can, turn off your engine, keep your hands visible (on the wheel is standard), and turn on your interior light if it's dark. When asked, you're generally required to provide your driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

What you generally can decline

Beyond those documents, you're generally not required to answer questions like where you're going, where you've been, or whether you have anything illegal in the car. You can say, calmly and once, "I'd like to remain silent." You don't need to explain why or repeat it aggressively — a calm, single statement is enough.

If they ask to search your car

You can decline consent to a search: "I do not consent to a search of my vehicle." If an officer searches anyway, do not physically resist — stating your objection verbally preserves the issue for a court or attorney to evaluate later.

Staying safe throughout

Keep your movements slow and visible. Announce anything you're about to do, like reaching for your registration ("My registration is in the glove box, I'm going to reach for it now"). None of this is about winning an argument in the moment — it's about staying safe and preserving your rights for later.