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Illinois driving lesson · Stops, Belts, Speed & Special Zones

When you're stopped by police

A 4-minute lesson from the Illinois course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
4 minutes
Course unit
Stops, Belts, Speed & Special Zones
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
24, 25

Traffic laws only work if drivers follow the people who enforce them. When you're pulled over, a calm routine keeps you and the officer safe. Stop in a safe spot, keep your hands visible, and settle any dispute in court, not on the roadside.

Know the rule

Obey the orders of police officers, firefighters, highway authority officials and uniformed adult school crossing guards who are directing traffic or doing their official duties.

Handbook p. 24 ↗

When an officer signals you to pull over:

  • Slow down, turn on your signal, and pull onto the right-hand shoulder
  • If there's no shoulder or it's too narrow, go to the next safest place
  • Don't slam on the brakes or stop in the traffic lane
  • Stay in the vehicle with both hands on the steering wheel until told otherwise
  • Expect the officer to approach from either the driver or passenger side
  • Don't get out unless asked. It can be seen as aggressive and a threat
Handbook p. 24 ↗

Don't stop:

  • On bridges or curves
  • Next to guardrails, concrete walls or medians
  • Anywhere other vehicles would have difficulty passing
  • Too close to the solid white line, where oncoming traffic may strike you
Handbook p. 24 ↗

Know the rule

You must have a valid driver's license, registration and insurance. If your license or insurance is in the glove box, under the seat, or on your cellphone, tell the officer first, then follow directions before reaching for it.

Handbook p. 24 ↗

If you can't tell an unmarked car or its driver is law enforcement, drive slowly below the limit and:

  • Pull over at a well-lit, populated location, or
  • Drive carefully to the nearest police station to get a uniformed officer's attention, or
  • Call 911
  • Turn on your hazard lights to show the officer your intentions
Handbook p. 24 ↗

Know the rule

If you are stopped at night, it is acceptable to turn on your vehicle's interior light.

Handbook p. 24 ↗

You may have committed a minor violation without realizing it, have a vehicle problem you don't know about, or be driving a vehicle similar to one used in a crime. Many officers won't give the reason until they have your license, registration and insurance card.

If you get a ticket or are arrested, don't:

  • Debate the reason for the stop or argue with the officer
  • Refuse to sign the ticket
  • Be uncooperative at the scene
  • Argue about the ticket when it's issued (contest it in traffic court)
  • Resist arrest
Handbook p. 24 ↗

Signing a traffic ticket

Required of the driver. It only acknowledges that you received the ticket. It is not an admission of guilt.

Handbook p. 24 ↗

Know the rule

If you're suspected of drunk driving, refusing breath, urine, blood or performance tests can cost you your driving privileges.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

Officers must give their names and badge numbers on request. Report inappropriate conduct to the officer's superiors as soon as possible. Written complaints go to the agency's internal affairs division or civilian complaint board.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

Police are legally required to document every traffic stop, including the driver's name and address.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Put it into practice

At night an unmarked car flashes lights behind you on a dark road. Turn on your hazards, drive slowly below the limit to a well-lit, busy location or the police station, or call 911, then stop.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

When a police officer signals you to pull over, where should your hands be while waiting?
  1. Holding your license and insurance card
  2. In your lap, ready to get documents
  3. On the door handle, ready to exit
  4. Visible on the steering wheel

Answer: Visible on the steering wheel

Keep both hands visible on the wheel until the officer instructs otherwise.

Handbook p. 24 ↗
Signing a traffic ticket means what, legally?
  1. An admission that you committed the violation
  2. Receipt of the ticket, not guilt
  3. Nothing; signing is optional
  4. A waiver of your right to a court date

Answer: Receipt of the ticket, not guilt

Signing only acknowledges receipt; you may still contest it in court.

Handbook p. 24 ↗
If you can't identify an unmarked vehicle as law enforcement, you should drive to a well-lit, populated location or call 911 rather than stop immediately.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

This is the recommended response when you can't confirm an unmarked car is police.

Handbook p. 24 ↗
Where should you avoid stopping when pulled over by police?
  1. In a well-lit parking lot
  2. A bridge, curve, guardrail, or median
  3. At the next safe, well-lit location
  4. On a straight, flat section of shoulder

Answer: A bridge, curve, guardrail, or median

Avoid bridges, curves, guardrails, and medians where other vehicles can't pass safely.

Handbook p. 24 ↗
Your proof of insurance is stored only on your cellphone, and the officer asks for it. What should you do?
  1. Tell the officer, then follow directions
  2. Refuse to show it since it's not required
  3. Insist on a paper copy only
  4. Reach for the phone right away

Answer: Tell the officer, then follow directions

Inform the officer first, then follow their directions to retrieve the item.

Handbook p. 24 ↗
If you believe a traffic ticket was issued unfairly, what is the correct response at the time of the stop?
  1. Refuse to sign the ticket
  2. Ask the officer to void the ticket
  3. Argue the point with the officer at the scene
  4. Accept it calmly; contest it in court

Answer: Accept it calmly; contest it in court

Disputes belong in traffic court, not at the roadside.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
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