Pulled over by law enforcement — Mississippi Permit Test

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

Stopping in a lane, or in a bad spot, puts you and the officer in the path of traffic.

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

When pulled over, turn off the engine and any audio devices.

A quiet car lets you and the officer hear each other and shows you are not about to drive off.

Turn off the engine and any audio devices.

Stay in your vehicle during a traffic stop unless the officer directs you to get out.

A driver who gets out and walks toward an officer can be seen as a threat, and also stands in traffic.

Stay in your vehicle unless directed by the officer to exit.

If you are pulled over at night, turn on your interior lights to help with visibility.

A lit car lets the officer see you and your passengers clearly, which keeps everyone calmer.

Turn on your interior lights if you are pulled over at night to assist with visibility.

During a stop, keep your hands on the steering wheel or somewhere they are easily seen.

Hands out of sight can look like a threat to an officer walking up to the car.

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

The officer may approach either side of the vehicle; lower the window on that side so you can talk.

Talking through a closed window makes it hard to hear and slows the stop down.

Lower the corresponding window so you and the officer can better communicate.

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

An officer who finds a weapon by surprise may treat the stop as a danger.

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; if they are out of reach, say where they are and wait for an answer.

A sudden reach toward a glove box or bag can look like reaching for a weapon.

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

An officer who is not in uniform will show their credentials, and if they do not, you may ask to see them.

Asking for credentials helps you know the person who stopped you is a real officer.

Show their law enforcement credentials if they are not in uniform. If they do not show their credentials, you may ask to see them.

If you disagree with the officer, do not argue; you may contest the decision in court.

Arguing at the roadside makes the stop longer and more tense, and it cannot change the ticket.

If you disagree with the officer’s decision or course of action, do not prolong the contact by arguing with the officer. Rather, you may seek to contest the decision in court through established legal channels.

Your acceptance and signature on a traffic ticket is not an admission of guilt.

Drivers who think signing means they confess may refuse and make the stop worse.

Your acceptance and signature on a traffic ticket is not an admission of guilt.

If you believe the officer acted inappropriately, you may contact the officer's agency and ask to speak to a supervisor, best done soon after the stop.

A complaint made right away is easier to look into while the facts are fresh.

If you believe the officer acted inappropriately or have questions regarding their conduct, you may call or contact the officer’s agency and request to speak to a supervisor.

You see police lights behind you. What should you do first?

Signal and pull over when safe. Stopping in a lane, or in a bad spot, puts you and the officer in the path of traffic. Mississippi Driver's License Manual, p.67: “Activate your turn signal and pull off or to the side of the roadway as soon as it is safe to do so.”