What documents should you have ready if you are stopped by a police officer?

What documents should you have ready if you are stopped by a police officer?

• A. Your passport and birth certificate.
• B. Driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.
• C. Only your driver's license.
• D. Only your vehicle registration.

Answer: (B)

When a police officer stops you, they need to verify who you are, that you’re authorized to drive the vehicle, and that the vehicle is properly registered and insured. The best choice is to have ready your valid driver's license, the vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. These three items confirm your identity, ownership/registration of the car, and financial responsibility in case of an incident. Passport and birth certificate aren’t needed for a traffic stop and don’t fulfill the same purpose as the required documents. Having only a driver’s license would not show that the vehicle is registered or that you have insurance, and having only the vehicle registration wouldn’t confirm your license or insurance. So having all three—license, registration, and proof of insurance—is the appropriate and complete set to have on hand. If you need a moment to fetch them, simply tell the officer and keep your hands visible while you comply.

When a police officer stops you, they need to verify who you are, that you’re authorized to drive the vehicle, and that the vehicle is properly registered and insured. The best choice is to have ready your valid driver's license, the vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. These three items confirm your identity, ownership/registration of the car, and financial responsibility in case of an incident.

Passport and birth certificate aren’t needed for a traffic stop and don’t fulfill the same purpose as the required documents. Having only a driver’s license would not show that the vehicle is registered or that you have insurance, and having only the vehicle registration wouldn’t confirm your license or insurance. So having all three—license, registration, and proof of insurance—is the appropriate and complete set to have on hand. If you need a moment to fetch them, simply tell the officer and keep your hands visible while you comply.