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Louisiana driving lesson · School Buses & Special Laws

Police stops & basic traffic laws

A 2-minute lesson from the Louisiana 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
2 minutes
Course unit
School Buses & Special Laws
Checkpoint questions
3
Source pages
90

You must obey police officers' lawful orders and every sign, signal and marking. Knowing how to handle a traffic stop keeps it calm and safe for you and the officer.

Know the rule

You must obey all traffic laws on any street or highway, and all lawful orders and directions of a police officer.

Handbook p. 90 ↗

During a traffic stop:

  • Stay calm and pull over safely when signaled
  • Be ready to show your license, registration and current proof of insurance
  • Stay in the vehicle unless the officer tells you otherwise
  • Keep your hands visible
  • Cooperate with reasonable requests; treat the officer as you'd want to be treated
Handbook p. 90 ↗

You may:

  • Ask a non-uniformed officer in an unmarked vehicle for identification
  • Ask for details if the reason for the stop seems vague or unclear
  • Ask to continue to a busier or better-lit area if the spot feels unsafe
  • Send questions or complaints about your treatment to the officer's supervisor
Handbook p. 90 ↗

Know the rule

Operate your vehicle as traffic signs, signals and pavement markings direct.

Handbook p. 90 ↗

Know the rule

When a traffic signal isn't working at an intersection, the intersection reverts to an all-way or four-way stop.

Handbook p. 90 ↗

Know the rule

It is unlawful to negligently fail to maintain reasonable and proper control of your vehicle.

Handbook p. 90 ↗

Put it into practice

On a dark rural road, an unmarked car with a driver in plain clothes signals you to stop. Pull over safely, stay in the car with your hands visible, and ask for identification. You can explain you're uncomfortable and ask to continue to a better-lit area.

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.

An officer signals you to stop, and you pull over safely. What should you do next?
  1. Stay in the vehicle with your hands visible
  2. Step out and meet the officer at your trunk
  3. Search for your papers before the officer arrives
  4. Leave the engine running so you're ready to go

Answer: Stay in the vehicle with your hands visible

Remain in the vehicle unless the officer tells you otherwise, and keep your hands visible.

Handbook p. 90 ↗
You're signaled to stop by a non-uniformed officer in an unmarked car. According to the handbook, you can:
  1. Refuse to stop until a marked car arrives
  2. Drive home first, then call the police
  3. Ignore the signal if no siren is used
  4. Ask the officer for identification

Answer: Ask the officer for identification

If stopped by a non-uniformed officer in an unmarked vehicle, you can ask the officer for identification.

Handbook p. 90 ↗
It is unlawful to negligently fail to maintain reasonable and proper control of your vehicle.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

The handbook's Control of Vehicles rule makes negligent failure to maintain control unlawful.

Handbook p. 90 ↗
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