Is it normal for a police officer to

**bonnotsm9** · 12-21-2011, 03:34 PM

ask for the front passenger's license in addition to the driver's when making a traffic stop? My 18 y.o. son and I were pulled over because he didn't yield properly when making a right turn. He was in the wrong and I let him know when he was making the turn. The car that should have had the right of way was a police car. When we were pulled over the officer asked for his license, the ins. info, then asked if I was his mom. When I said yes, she asked for my license as well, which I gave her. Later when I told dh about it he said he thought she wasn't supposed to ask for mine.

While she was in her vehicle with our licenses another police officer pulled up and got out. He just stood behind us on my side of the car. She let ds off with a warning. I thought for sure she was going to give him a ticket.

I'm just curious whether dh was correct?

**Incognito** · 12-21-2011, 03:54 PM

Drivers licensing has got more complicated over the years.
In Canada, if the son had a learner's license, the fully-licensed driver next to him would also be required to show their own license in order to prove that they had one, in good standing. And nowadays, the time period for learners permits has been extended, so that the other driver would most often be automatically expected to show their license too.
DS was fortunate to get off with a warning, and it will be a good experience for him too.

**McD** · 12-21-2011, 04:00 PM

Yes that is completely normal.

They run your license to see if you have any outstanding warrants, fugitive, etc.

**McD** · 12-21-2011, 04:02 PM

Also, the second officer pulling up is normal. They do that for officer safety.

Two people in the car versus one officer if a situation goes south isn't very safe.

**bonnotsm9** · 12-21-2011, 04:14 PM

Thanks. I've only been the passenger twice before when the person driving has been pulled over. The officer never asked for my id those times.

I think this made an impression on ds. He's only has his license less than a year and isn't as cautious a driver as he should be. When I tell him that it goes in one ear and out the other.

**Ramona** · 12-21-2011, 05:28 PM

I'm not surprised that they do that, considering that traffic stops are among the most dangerous situations for police.

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-21-2011, 06:35 PM

They can ASK almost anything. Most people will comply out of respect or fear. Whether you're legally required to show the ID or comply with all requests is another matter.

My brother, a cop, will ask people if they have drugs in the car. His favorite line: "If I search this car am I going to find drugs in it?" and surprisingly the stupid ones will say "yes". He doesn't have the right to just search vehicles, but once they admit to the drugs he can.

**McD** · 12-21-2011, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by stephanieg

Most cops are not nice to me when they pull me over for some reason.Last one was being rude to me,saw a hand gun which I can carry between the middle console and drivers seat.I told the cop the gun is registered in my name,my gun and showed my concealed weapons permit.I told the cop about the gun too and did ask me if I had any weapons which I said yes.

I'm surprised that the cops up there don't know you by now stephanieg, especially since you shot that one guy and caught another robber in the act.

**frugalfranny** · 12-21-2011, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by bonnotsm9

I'm just curious whether dh was correct?

In your area what is the age that they can drive.......w/o an adult in the car? Maybe he had the age figured wrong and that is why he asked..........

Our teen laws are complicated.........and they can't have passengers under the age of 20 for X number of months after getting their reg. license...............I think it is. With a permit only, think it is no passengers unless a family member over 25.....but not sure. It is a graduated, staged, thing.

**NikoSan999** · 12-21-2011, 07:45 PM

They do it here alot. Yes, here at least, they are allowed to. Learners permit has to have a licensed driver...it's to prove the passenger is a licensed driver.
Also if anyone gets mouthy, here, they will ask for it. Back up is also normal. Lot of officers shot here on traffic stops.

**LynnLC** · 12-21-2011, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by McD

I'm surprised that the cops up there don't know you by now stephanieg, especially since you shot that one guy and caught another robber in the act.

Not just shot, McD....killed.

I agree it was probably because your son is young and the whole jr. operator sorta thing. I have never been asked when son is driving or had a second cruiser arrive but I look very innocent. Lolololol.

**bonnotsm9** · 12-21-2011, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

In your area what is the age that they can drive.......w/o an adult in the car? Maybe he had the age figured wrong and that is why he asked..........

Our teen laws are complicated.........and they can't have passengers under the age of 20 for X number of months after getting their reg. license...............I think it is. With a permit only, think it is no passengers unless a family member over 25.....but not sure. It is a graduated, staged, thing.

In our state once they pass their driving exam, which they are allowed to take at age 16, they can drive without an adult in the vehicle . Before that they have a learner's permit which requires an adult to be in the front passenger seat. For the first 6 months after they get their license they can't have more than a certain number of unrelated minors in the vehicle with them. I can't remember the exact rules for passengers, as it hasn't been an issue for us. The only restriction on his license right now is that he can't be on the road between the hours of 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. unless he's traveling to or from work. That restriction is lifted once the person is 18, but he hasn't gone to the DMV yet to change to the regular license.

We were pulled over on a Saturday afternoon.

**scooby8themall** · 12-23-2011, 09:41 AM

Here they will ask for every one's ID or driver's license that is in the car and run checks on every one and if you call the police station for some thing they run your name .

**Kitten20** · 12-23-2011, 11:07 AM

I have been asked for my driver's license when pulled over, as a passenger. Once, I did not have a license yet (I was 19 or so and did not get my license until 22) and the officer didn't believe me. That was awkward!

**Jamielane** · 12-23-2011, 11:08 AM

I think it's pretty routine to ask for all occupants id here to. My cousin in married to a cop and he said its for checking for any warrants etc. and the like MCD said the second officer is also routine when the cop is outnumbered. So glad he only got a warning ! My cousins husband said when he does a stop for an infraction that wasnt endangering someone attitude is EVERYTHING when he is determining if he will write the ticket , along with your driving record. Glad you got a nice cop!