First contact

[CrimsonSoul]

Well this is my first time being pulled over since I've got my CHL, my first time being pulled over in about 6 years (still no ticket, woo!). Anyway, It was my fault, it was really foggy out and I didn't have my headlights on, sheriffs officer pulled me over (can't remember what county I was in). Anyway way told him I had a chl and where it was he didn't care gave him license insurance (which was out of date by 18ish days, DOH!) I was getting my insurance, told him I had it but it was out of date he said don't worry about it took my license (handed me back CHL) and went to his car to run my background (I'm assuming that's what they do lol). Anyway, came back with a warning and told me that it was my courteous attitude that saved me from a ticket today, and looking back now, I had to have said one of the most hick things I've ever said, and I quote "Ain't no need for me to get rude at you for something I did." but signed for the warning, TURNED ON MY HEADLIGHTS, and off I went. So to all you out there, if visibility is less than 1000ft make sure to have your headlights on :) good encounter, I'd give the officers name and the county and all but that stuff is in the car and I'm way too lazy to go get it out.

[lonewolf]

I'd say you were pretty fortunate, actually. No insurance is a big money maker ticket, even if only 18 days expired. They way the local govts are with money these days, I'm kind of surprised he didn't go ahead and write it. In Dallas, they'll go ahead and tow your car and leave you on the side of the road. At least that's what they advertise. Since I never see any police on the Dallas highways, it probably doesn't happen very often......

[MojoTexas]

I've also been stopped in the past without current proof of insurance. I had insurance...I just hadn't put the latest piece of paper in my glove box. It was only a week or so out of date and I told the officer that nothing had changed, and he let me go with a warning to slow it down.

I don't understand why insurance isn't automatic. You have to provide proof of insurance when you register your vehicle. If you let your policy lapse, it would be relatively easy for the insurance companies to pass along that information to the state. All they would have to do is cross-reference driver's license numbers with VINs, and an officer could know right away when they run your plate if you're current on your insurance or not, regardless of whether or not you have the piece of paper. The piece of paper is only really useful for giving to another person if you get involved in an accident.

[pbwalker]

I've also been stopped in the past without current proof of insurance. I had insurance...I just hadn't put the latest piece of paper in my glove box. It was only a week or so out of date and I told the officer that nothing had changed, and he let me go with a warning to slow it down.

I don't understand why insurance isn't automatic. You have to provide proof of insurance when you register your vehicle. If you let your policy lapse, it would be relatively easy for the insurance companies to pass along that information to the state. All they would have to do is cross-reference driver's license numbers with VINs, and an officer could know right away when they run your plate if you're current on your insurance or not, regardless of whether or not you have the piece of paper. The piece of paper is only really useful for giving to another person if you get involved in an accident.

because we'd be infringing on the rights of those who do not have insurance...

[sjfcontrol]

It is my understanding that they do exactly that. That officers CAN tell if you have insurance. This was done to prevent people from canceling their insurance after receiving the cards. Because of this, just having a card doesn't prove you have insurance, even it they are apparently valid. Of course the officer would need an operating terminal in his car, and the rest of their computer system would need to be operating to check it.

[PUCKER]

Also done to prevent/hinder use of fake insurance cards.

[LarryH]

Also done to prevent/hinder use of fake insurance cards.

Good point. Our insurance company now emails our insurance cards as .pdf attachments. They would not be hard to fake for anyone over the age of eight.

[InfoTechCHL2007]

Sounds like a decent encounter, especially since your insurance was out of date.