Common Questions Police Ask During Traffic Stop

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: arizona


Are these common questions cops ask during a traffic stop?


Is your drivers license still valid?
Do you have any warrants?
Do you still live at the address on your license?

Has anyone been asked these questions during a traffic stop and are these awkward questions for a cop to ask?

It's been a long time since I've been pulled over in AZ but I seem to remember just being asked the third question and not the other two.

The officer should easily be able to verify your license and warrant status on his computer.

My guess is that the questions have a lot to do with all the variable elements of a traffic stop so whether or not the questions are common is meaningless because the officer (obviously) thought they were appropriate during the stop and (since they aren't a violation of any "rights") you just answer them and don't argue.

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Quoting symbo

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My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: arizona


Are these common questions cops ask during a traffic stop?


Is your drivers license still valid?
Do you have any warrants?
Do you still live at the address on your license?

Has anyone been asked these questions during a traffic stop and are these awkward questions for a cop to ask?

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Yes, these are common questions. And, no, they are not "awkward" to ask - they are part of the job.

All common questions. How much information the officer will have depends on the setup of their agency. Most of the major agencies now use mobile data terminals in the cars. DPS patrol units have built in cameras that automatically scan the license plate of every vehicle they encounter and the computer compares it to an active list of "hot" plates (stolen vehicles or wanted persons). Also, due to officer safety concerns you may be asked whether or not you are carrying a weapon. If so, you are required to answer that question and the officer may take possession of the weapon for the duration of the traffic stop.

There are valid reasons for all those questions. If you have moved but not notified the DMV, that can be an additional offense or it can make the receiving of notices from the court impossible and cause the driver further headaches.

A driver that is suspended or even unlicensed but who lies about it will set the tone of the stop for the officer. Someone who is up front about this might get a break from the officer if he can get it.

And the question about warrants, probation/parole, or weapons - standard stuff.

I commonly ask ALL of those and more at a stop. In CA you don't necessarily have to answer them, but I will ask them.

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Quoting cdwjava

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I commonly ask ALL of those and more at a stop. In CA you don't necessarily have to answer them, but I will ask them.

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Agreed. I routinely ask about the address. Depending on the circumstances of the specific stop, there are a variety of other questions I might ask, including but not limited to the other 2 in OP’s question. I might also ask where the driver is coming from; where they are going; what the relationship is with any passengers; why the driver is sweating and shaking in 50 degree weather; and/or what are those green, plastic wrapped bricks I see peeking out from under the tarp in the bed of the pickup?

Not awkward at all…at least not awkward for me to ask, although maybe a bit awkward for the driver. Of course the driver is free to tell me to mind my own business – which I will do…diligently.

When a cop ask if the driver's license is still valid and they reply yes and reply no to whether they have any warrants? Does the cop still check on the computer after asking these questions?

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When a cop ask if the driver's license is still valid and they reply yes and reply no to whether they have any warrants? Does the cop still check on the computer after asking these questions?

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Of course the cop does...unless some other emergency diverts the cop's attention.

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Quoting symbo

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When a cop ask if the driver's license is still valid and they reply yes and reply no to whether they have any warrants? Does the cop still check on the computer after asking these questions?

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of course he takes the driver's word for it. He also does not issue a ticket when the driver says; no, I wasn't speeding;

A cop has no right to not believe the driver's claims and should be reprimanded by his superior officer for even thinking about disbelieving the drivers statements.





and yes, that is sarcastic.

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Quoting symbo

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When a cop ask if the driver's license is still valid and they reply yes and reply no to whether they have any warrants? Does the cop still check on the computer after asking these questions?

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Sometimes. Some agencies do, some don't. If it is available, most officers will run the information through their dispatch center. But, if calls are heavy and dispatchers are busy, it may not get run. And not every agency has a computer in the car, and for those that do, sticking your nose in it on a traffic stop is unsafe and unwise.

The CHP is notorious for not running warrant checks on people they stop. This has caused them problems ... and assaults.