Traffic stops — Florida Permit Test

When you see emergency lights behind you, activate your turn signal and pull off or to the side of the roadway as soon as it is safe.

Signaling tells the officer you have seen them, which is the first thing they are watching for.

Activate your turn signal and pull off or to the side of the roadway as soon as it is safe to do so.

Turn off your engine and any audio devices once you have stopped.

A running engine is a car that can still move, and the officer cannot know that you will not.

Turn off your engine and any audio devices.

Stay in your vehicle unless the officer directs you to get out, and keep your hands on the steering wheel or somewhere easily visible.

Hands where they can be seen is the one thing that lowers the tension fastest.

Keep your hands on the steering wheel or in a visible location so they are easily observable.

Turn on your interior lights if you are pulled over at night, and during the day roll down all windows if you have tinted glass.

Both do the same job: they let the officer see into the car before they reach it.

During the day, if you have tinted windows, roll down all windows.

Let the officer know at first contact if you have a weapon in the vehicle.

Finding out later, by surprise, is the worst way for it to come up.

Let the officer know if you have a weapon in the vehicle upon first contact.

Wait for the officer’s instructions before reaching for your license or vehicle documents, and if they are out of reach, say where they are and wait for acknowledgment.

A hand disappearing into a glove box is the movement an officer cannot read.

Wait for the officer’s instructions before reaching for your driver’s license or vehicle documents.

Your signature on a traffic ticket is not an admission of guilt, but refusing to sign may result in your arrest.

Signing costs you nothing and refusing can cost you the rest of your evening.

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

If you disagree with the officer’s decision, do not prolong the contact by arguing: contest it in court through established legal channels.

The roadside is not where the decision gets changed, and arguing only makes the stop longer.

If you disagree with the officer’s decision or course of action, do not prolong the contact by arguing with the officer.

What is the first thing to do when stopped by law enforcement?

Signal and pull over as soon as it is safe. Signaling tells the officer you have seen them, which is the first thing they are watching for. Official Florida Driver License Handbook, p.75: “Activate your turn signal and pull off or to the side of the roadway as soon as it is safe to do so.”