Traffic stops — Alabama Permit Test

When you see emergency lights behind you, stay calm, signal, and pull off to the side of the road as soon and as safely as possible; then turn off the ignition and radio.

Pulling over promptly and safely protects you, the officer and passing traffic.

Stay calm, activate your turn signal and pull off to the side of the roadway as soon and as safely as possible.

During a traffic stop, stay inside your vehicle unless the officer tells you to get out, and keep both hands on the steering wheel where they are easily seen.

An officer cannot see what you are reaching for, so visible hands keep the stop calm.

Keep both hands on the steering wheel to ensure they are easily seen.

If there are weapons in the vehicle at a traffic stop, inform the officer on first contact.

Telling the officer up front avoids a dangerous surprise for everyone.

If there are weapons in the vehicle, inform the officer upon first contact.

If a traffic stop happens at night, turn on your vehicle's interior lights to help the officer.

Lights inside the car let the officer see you and your passengers clearly.

If a stop occurs at night, turn on your vehicle’s interior lights to assist the officer.

Do not make sudden moves or search for your license or other documents until the officer instructs you to; if they are out of reach, tell the officer before reaching for them.

Reaching suddenly can look like reaching for a weapon.

If these documents are out of your reach, inform the officer prior to reaching for them.

Signing a traffic citation is not an admission of guilt, but refusing to sign it may result in your arrest; you may contest the citation in court.

The signature only promises you will answer the ticket, and court is where you argue it.

Your acceptance and signature on a traffic citation is not an admission of guilt, but the refusal to a traffic citation may result in your arrest.

If an officer at a traffic stop is out of uniform, they will show you law enforcement credentials, or you may ask to see them.

You have the right to know the person stopping you is really an officer.

If he or she is out of uniform, he or she will show you law enforcement credentials, or you may ask to see credentials.

If you feel an officer acted inappropriately during a stop, document the behavior and report the officer to his or her agency in a timely manner, noting the time, date and location.

Arguing at the roadside helps no one; a report through the proper channel gets looked at.

If during the stop, you feel the officer acted inappropriately, document the officer’s behavior and report the officer to his or her agency in a timely manner.

The documents required at traffic stops are your driver license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration.

Together these show you may drive, the car is legal, and damage will be paid for.

Driver License • Proof of Insurance • Vehicle Registration

Police lights appear behind you. What should you do first?

Signal and pull over safely as soon as you can. Pulling over promptly and safely protects you, the officer and passing traffic. Alabama Driver Manual, p.67: “Stay calm, activate your turn signal and pull off to the side of the roadway as soon and as safely as possible.”