Got stopped - TRIED to inform - ignored

[jmace57]

I got stopped by a DPS trooper about 10 days ago for speeding (and I was). It was the first time I have been stopped since I got my CHL/LTC 7 years ago.

After he walked up to the window and asked for license and insurance, I started pulling out my drivers license and right behind it my CHL. He said "I don't need to see that - just the driver's license". I said "sorry, but I am required to show it to you"...and did so - he didn't take it - just glanced at it. I got the impression it sort of irritated him.

So, SHOULD I have insisted on showing it to him? I kept thinking if I didn't he'd go back to his car (which he did) and come back and gig me for not showing it. Was him saying "I don't need to see that" enough?

THanks

[puma guy]

I got stopped by a DPS trooper about 10 days ago for speeding (and I was). It was the first time I have been stopped since I got my CHL/LTC 7 years ago.

After he walked up to the window and asked for license and insurance, I started pulling out my drivers license and right behind it my CHL. He said "I don't need to see that - just the driver's license". I said "sorry, but I am required to show it to you"...and did so - he didn't take it - just glanced at it. I got the impression it sort of irritated him.

So, SHOULD I have insisted on showing it to him? I kept thinking if I didn't he'd go back to his car (which he did) and come back and gig me for not showing it. Was him saying "I don't need to see that" enough?

THanks

I'm assuming you were armed, though you didn't say so. If you were you did the right thing by presenting both. Whether he takes it is his prerogative.

[twomillenium]

If you are carrying you are required to ID and inform, if you are not carrying you are only required to ID (I always show LTC anyways, although I cannot remember anytime in the last few years I was not carrying). Some LEO's do not worry about it, he may not have been irritated with the ID as much as the speeding. (if that was the case, I irritate quite often ).

[JustSomeOldGuy]

when asked for ID, offer both (if you are indeed carrying at the time), but don't comment on it. You've done what is legally required. Then the LEO is free to ignore it, or give you specific instructions on how he wants you to proceed.
If you were driving a vehicle registered to you, he may have already known that have an LTC from having already queried your license plate while following you.

[WTR]

I was stopped at a check point. I had turned my lights off so they weren't in the eyes of the person in front of me. When it was my turn I handed over my DL and insurance. When the Officer came back he had a citation book in hand. I said excuse me, I should have showed you my CHL. He asked what I carried and told me to turn my lights on and to drive safely.

[WTR]

The officer has no authority to cite you for not showing your LTC. The law has no penalty attached to it for not informing.

I think the CHL kept me from being ticketed for the lights.

[mojo84]

All most cops care about is being aware. Once he saw it, he was aware. He'll get the details once he runs your DL. No biggy.

[jb2012]

Why are you so adament about showing him after he told you he didn't need it? You're over thinking this "big league" lol

[ELB]

He said "I don't need to see that - just the driver's license".

So he immediately recognized you had an LTC. Mission accomplished. Declare victory and move on. Celebrate the fact that having an LTC is NBD*. It's not that way in every state...

(And that has been my experience with almost every interaction I've had with the police where ID was required. As soon as they realized I had a LTC, they either told me "I don't need that" or if I had already handed it to them along with the DL, they just immediately handed it back.)


*No Big Deal.

[Abraham]

I too am puzzled about your insistence he examine your LTC?

I can just see some LEO thinking "yer, not the boss of me.." oh, and here's your citation.

You got lucky!

[Keith B]

So, SHOULD I have insisted on showing it to him? I kept thinking if I didn't he'd go back to his car (which he did) and come back and gig me for not showing it. Was him saying "I don't need to see that" enough?

Yes. Once you presented your LTC (when carrying) you have met the legal law (even if there is no penalty for not doing so). At that point it is up to the officer to request additional or just let it slide. You don't need to go any further on informing unless directed to do so.

I have rarely been stopped, but the one time after I got my CHL I was stopped for speeding. I was carrying and handed him my DL, CHL and Insurance, but didn't say if I was carrying or not. He handed back the CHL and said 'I don't need this' and that was the end of that portion. Unfortunately he got my autograph on a ticket (deserved).

[puma guy]

I was stopped at a check point. I had turned my lights off so they weren't in the eyes of the person in front of me. When it was my turn I handed over my DL and insurance. When the Officer came back he had a citation book in hand. I said excuse me, I should have showed you my CHL. He asked what I carried and told me to turn my lights on and to drive safely.

What sort of check point?

[C-dub]

That is not the license I need to see.

Move along.

[oohrah]

If you were driving a vehicle registered to you, he may have already known that have an LTC from having already queried your license plate while following you.

I believe this is not true. The LTC is tied to the Driver's License, not the vehicle registration.