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Kentucky driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Police traffic stops

A 3-minute lesson from the Kentucky 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
3 minutes
Course unit
Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions
4
Source pages
70

Being pulled over is stressful for you and risky for the officer. Calm, predictable behavior keeps you both safe and gets you back on the road sooner. To pull you over, police turn on the patrol car's lights and siren.

When an officer signals you to stop:

  • Stay calm; don't stop abruptly in a travel lane
  • Turn off your engine and turn on your hazard flashers
  • At night, turn on your interior lights
  • Roll your window completely down
  • Keep your safety belt fastened, and ask passengers to do the same
Handbook p. 70 ↗

While the officer approaches:

  • Don't start gathering your license, registration and insurance
  • Keep your hands on the wheel and limit your movements
  • When asked, first tell the officer where your documents are
  • Then reach for them slowly, keeping one hand on the wheel
  • Answer questions fully and clearly; stay in the vehicle unless asked to get out
Handbook p. 70 ↗

Know the rule

If you get a citation, stay calm and don't argue. The roadside isn't the place to lodge complaints or settle disputes.

Handbook p. 70 ↗

Know the rule

There are various reasons an officer may ask you to stop or to step out. Listen carefully, follow all instructions and be patient.

Handbook p. 70 ↗

Know the rule

Never run from police. It's very dangerous—many fatal crashes come from police chases—and the consequences are often worse than the original citation.

Handbook p. 70 ↗

When the stop is over:

  • Wait for the officer to return to the patrol vehicle
  • Be aware of traffic and your surroundings
  • Watch for the departing police vehicle
  • Use your turn signal to reenter traffic
  • Obey all traffic laws
Handbook p. 70 ↗

Put it into practice

You're pulled over at night. Ease onto the shoulder, turn off the engine, switch on your hazards and dome light, roll the window down and rest your hands on the wheel. When asked for insurance, say 'It's in the glove box,' then reach slowly.

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 pulled over by law enforcement, you should first:
  1. Immediately exit the vehicle
  2. Start searching for your documents right away
  3. Turn off the engine and use your flashers
  4. Roll down all windows and get out

Answer: Turn off the engine and use your flashers

Turn off your engine, turn on your hazard flashers, and keep your hands visible on the wheel.

Handbook p. 70 ↗
Before reaching for your license, registration, or insurance during a traffic stop, you should:
  1. Tell the officer where they are
  2. Step out of the vehicle to get them
  3. Ask the officer to retrieve them
  4. Grab them quickly to save time

Answer: Tell the officer where they are

Tell the officer where your documents are before reaching for them slowly with one hand on the wheel.

Handbook p. 70 ↗
During a traffic stop, you should step out of your vehicle and meet the officer so they can see you clearly.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

False. The manual says to keep your safety belt fastened and remain in the vehicle unless the officer asks you to get out.

Handbook p. 70 ↗
It is a good idea to try to outrun law enforcement if you believe the stop is unfair.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Never try to run from law enforcement; it is dangerous and consequences are often more severe than the original citation.

Handbook p. 70 ↗
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