What to Do If You Are Pulled Over By Police
You might be nervous about what’s going to happen when you get pulled over, but remember that officers are too; they never know what to expect. Generally, the more you do to help ensure the officer’s safety the more you ensure your own.
What to Do If You Are Pulled Over By Police
1. Look for a safe spot to pull over.
Check your mirrors, assess where you are (highway, side road etc.) and determine a safe place to pull over. Try to find a close parking lot or wide shoulder of the road, preferably well-lit.
If the area is heavily trafficked, it is acceptable to drive a short distance to locate a safe spot to stop. An example of this would be getting pulled over on a busy street, instead of stopping on the street to turn into a parking lot or less busy side streets. This is a safer location for you and the police officer who will be exiting his or her car. If you must cross multiple lanes of traffic to pull over, be sure flashers are engaged and move over at a cautious speed.
2. Slow down and activate your turn signal/flasher.
Reducing your speed and using the turn signal/flashers indicates to the officer that you intend to pull over within reasonable distance.
3. Remain calm and roll down your driver’ side window.
Take a deep breath and calm your nerves. Roll down your driver’s side window, along with any windows which are tinted. If it is dark, turn on the interior lights. Make all your movements slow—the police officer is watching you carefully to make sure you’re not drawing a weapon or hiding something. Do not reach for anything in the passenger compartment of your vehicle or under your seat.
4. Place the car in park and turn off the ignition.
Once the car is in the park wait for instructions from the police officer. Remain still, any suspicious movement from you (even a sudden lowering of one or both shoulders) can prompt a search. Keep your hands in plain sight, preferably on the top of the steering wheel with your fingers visible. Do not get out of the vehicle. Leaving your vehicle without being prompted by the police officer can be viewed as aggressive behavior.
5. Wait for instructions from the police officer.
When the police officer comes to your window, don’t speak first. He or she will usually ask for your license and registration. If you need to reach towards your wallet or glove compartment, notify the police officer before you make any moves. Do it slowly and deliberately. If you’re in a dark area, the police officer will follow your hands with his flashlight. Finish this process before anything else, then put your hands back on the wheel. While the police officer checks your license and vehicle status, keep your hands on the steering wheel.
Pro tip: Keep your glove compartment and center console well organized in preparation for moments like this, so you aren’t frantically fumbling around your vehicle.
6. Be civil.
Keep things respectful and do not argue with the police officer if you are given a ticket. You have the right to defend yourself in court if you feel you have been wrongly charged and that is the time to address any discrepancies. If you are given a ticket, instructions will be printed on the ticket for either paying the fine or the date on which your case will be heard in court. Answer the police officer’s questions the best you can. Just keep in mind that everything you say to a police officer is admissible in court. You can learn more about consent and search laws in Illinois here.
7. Sign the citation.
If a citation is issued the police officer will need you to sign it. Signing the citation is not an admission of guilt, but rather a recognition that you are the person who received it and plan to either pay the fine or show up in court (where you can dispute the fine).
In the case you are pulled over by police remember to stay calm, move slowly, and follow the directions given by the police officer. You should also ask for proper identification from the police officer to confirm his or her identity. If you feel you have been wrongfully ticketed or pulled over contact an attorney and/or go to court to dispute the citation.
During Top Driver’s drivers education courses we teach teen drivers the importance of obeying traffic laws, but we also cover what to do if you are pulled over by the police.
Learn more about our Illinois driving programs, find a Top Driver Driving School near you or contact the Top Driver team with any questions.
Frequently asked questions
What's the first thing I should do when I see police lights behind me?
Check your mirrors and look for a safe spot to pull over. A close parking lot or a wide, well-lit shoulder is ideal. If you're in heavy traffic, it's acceptable to drive a short distance to find a safer location, such as a side street rather than a busy main road. Activate your turn signal or flashers right away so the officer knows you've seen them and you intend to stop. Crossing multiple lanes to reach the shoulder should be done at a cautious speed with flashers on.
Where should I put my hands once I've stopped?
Place your car in park, turn off the ignition, and put your hands on top of the steering wheel where the officer can clearly see them, with your fingers visible. The officer is approaching cautiously and watching for any movement that could suggest you're reaching for a weapon or hiding something. Don't reach for your wallet, glove compartment, or anything else until the officer asks for it and you've told them what you're about to do.
Should I get out of the car when I'm pulled over?
No. Stay in the vehicle unless the officer specifically tells you to step out. Getting out of the car on your own can be interpreted as aggressive or threatening behavior and can quickly escalate the situation. Wait inside with your window down and your hands visible until the officer reaches your door and tells you what to do next.
What should I do before reaching for my license and registration?
Tell the officer what you're about to do and where the documents are before you move. If your license is in your back pocket or your registration is in the glove compartment, say so clearly, then reach slowly and deliberately. In a dark area, the officer will follow your hands with their flashlight. Once you've handed over the documents, put your hands back on the steering wheel. Keeping the glove compartment and center console organized in advance makes this step much smoother.
Do I have to sign a ticket if I disagree with it?
Yes. Signing a citation is not an admission of guilt. It's only an acknowledgment that you received the ticket and intend to either pay the fine or appear in court. The proper time and place to contest the charge is in court, not on the roadside. Arguing with the officer rarely changes anything and can make the encounter worse. Stay civil, sign the citation, and follow up through the legal process if you believe the ticket was unfair.
Can what I say to an officer during a traffic stop be used against me?
Yes. Anything you say to a police officer during a stop is admissible in court, so answer questions accurately but keep your responses brief. You don't need to volunteer information, and you have the right to consult an attorney if you believe you've been wrongly stopped or ticketed. Top Driver's Illinois courses cover what to do if you're pulled over, including the basics of consent and search laws, so teen drivers know their rights and responsibilities before they ever face the situation.
Is it okay to ask the officer for identification?
Yes. You're entitled to confirm the officer's identity, particularly if anything about the stop feels unusual, such as an unmarked vehicle or plainclothes officer. Ask politely and wait calmly for them to show credentials. The vast majority of stops are entirely legitimate, but verifying identity is a reasonable step that legitimate officers expect and respect.
