What to do when police pull you over in the US: a newcomer's guide from the driver manual
· 4 min read
One of the first things I noticed after I arrived in Arkansas: almost everyone follows the speed limit.
The reason is simple. Police cars here have radar, and they use it. If you are over the limit, the lights come on behind you and you are stopped. There is no talking your way out of it at the roadside.
I have not been pulled over myself (yet). But while studying for my driver's license, I read the part of the state manual that explains exactly what to do. Most newcomers never read it. It is short, and it can save you a lot of stress.
Everything below comes from the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Edition 8, July 2023). Other states say very similar things, but check your own state's manual.
When you see the lights behind you
- Turn on your right turn signal. This tells the officer you saw them and you are looking for a safe place to stop.
- Pull over to the right, to the closest safe spot out of the traffic lane. Do not stop on a bridge or an overpass.
- Not sure it is a real police officer? Keep your signal on, drive to the nearest well-lit place, call 911, and ask them to confirm it is a real officer.
While the officer walks to your car
- Stay in the car. Do not get out unless the officer tells you to.
- Keep both hands visible. The manual's example: put your hands on the top of the steering wheel.
- No sudden movements, including while you look for your documents.
- At night, turn on the inside light so the officer can see you clearly.
- Turn off the radio and put your phone down.
The officer may come to the driver's side or the passenger side. Both are normal.
Your documents
The officer should tell you their name, their agency, and why they stopped you.
In Arkansas, you must show three things when asked:
- Your driver's license
- Proof of insurance
- The vehicle registration
Before you reach for them, tell the officer where they are and ask before you reach. For example: "My registration is in the glove box. May I get it?"
If there is a weapon in the car, tell the officer the type and where it is, and do not reach for it.
My advice as a newcomer: keep the insurance card and the registration in the same place in the car, so you are not searching through the glove box with an officer watching.
If you get a ticket
This part surprised me the most.
- Signing a ticket is not admitting guilt. It is a promise to go to court on the date written on it, or to pay the fine before that date.
- Refusing to sign can get you arrested. You may have to pay a bond, and the car can be towed.
- Do not argue at the roadside. If you disagree, contact the court written on the ticket. That is where you contest it.
- Be polite, even if you think the officer is wrong.
Following these steps does not mean you will not get a ticket. It means the stop stays calm and safe for everyone.
The other side: passing a stopped police car
This one is on the written test, and it is the law:
On a road with more than one lane in your direction, if a police car (or a highway department truck, a utility truck or a tow truck) is stopped on the side with its lights on, you must move over to the lane farthest away from it, when you can do it safely. In Arkansas, breaking this law can mean a fine of up to $1,000, jail time, or a license suspension of up to six months.
And if you see someone else being stopped, do not walk up to the officer.
What I like about it
After Turkish traffic, this was a real change. Speed limits here are not suggestions, and people drive like they know it. Honestly, it is one of my favorite things about living in the US.
If you are preparing for your written test, these rules show up there too. I built a free practice test from the state manuals at dmvexplained.com, and I wrote about why in How failing my driver's license test became a website.
Summary
- Signal, pull to the right, stop out of traffic. Never on a bridge.
- Stay in the car, hands on the wheel, no sudden moves, inside light on at night.
- Show license, insurance and registration. Say where they are before you reach.
- Signing a ticket is a promise to appear, not an admission of guilt.
- Argue in court, not at the roadside.
- Passing a stopped police car with its lights on: move to the farthest lane when you safely can.
Going through the same thing? If you are stuck on this step and need help, send me a message. I read every one.
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I am not a lawyer or an accountant. This is my own experience, written down as it happened. Rules change and every case is different, so check with the official source or a professional.