When being pulled over, why do police always ask for "License and registration"?

+1 vote
asked Jun 20, 2022 in Law Enforcement/Police by pedalinmiddle (540 points)
When being pulled over, why do police always ask for "License and registration"?

1 Answer

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answered Jun 20, 2022 by Salmorejo (40,200 points)
Police always ask for license and registration to prove that you own the vehicle.

Although the police can see that you have insurance and registration is current with the vehicle they want to know that you have the proof of the those papers in your possession.

Although they could see from your license that you're the registered owner it just makes it that much better to know that you have the registration papers and insurance card.

There have been a few times when I've been pulled over and I had forgotten my registration papers as I had used another vehicle to go get my registration renewed.

Although I had put the new registration sticker on my tag I forgot to put the registration paper back in the car that the registration sticker went too.

However the officer was nice about it and just said to try to make sure I had the paper with me next time.

If you're nice to the police they will usually be nice to you as well.

However there have also been times where I've been pulled over and they only asked for the insurance card and not the registration.

So it can vary from police to police and from state to state.

Just always try to make sure you have your registration and insurance cards in your vehicle.

As for the insurance card I keep one insurance card in my wallet and another insurance card on my sun visor to ensure I have one.

I also keep my registration papers in a pouch on my sun visor so I don't have to reach into the glove box.

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