What happens if a cop pulls you over and you forgot to bring your drivers license?

chucksright

depends on your state laws and the cops mood.

one if you have a valid lic they may just ask for your name and then check and let you go.

if they are unable to verify your id, you might go to jail

jon f

different states have different polices, but for me i got pulled for speeding, and i didn't have my license, i just payed the fine for the ticket, but i had to go to court for my license. At court i just had to show them I DO have my license, and it got dismissed.

draggin78201

You'll get cited for driving without an operators license.
Just don't forget to bring it to court with you. If you can prove to the traffic court judge that you are a legally licensed driver, more than likely he/she will drop the charge and the fine and all you'll have to pay is the court costs.

Simple as that.

Childsmum

In UK you are given 7 days to produce it at your local police station. You also have to show insurance and MOT cert if applicable

Hey there

Your supposed to have it with you. In some states, there is a fine if you don't. Usually they will ask you for another form of ID, and run you through the computer to see if you have a valid license or not. Not a big deal.

El Scott

That will be up to the Officer. If the Officer feels you are being truthful about your identity and they can find your drivers license information on the computer they may not do anything about it.

They could also cite you even if they feel you are being truthful about who you are. It is illegal to drive without your license in your possession in the US.

You could also be arrested. If I think someone may be lying about who they are then I arrest them. They have to provide positive identification before being released from jail.

It all depends on the Officer.

EDIT:
In reference to some of the answers here. We can't always get a picture of you on the computer. Also, just because you go to court does not necessarily mean I have to go to court. I only have to go if someone pleads no guilty. Either way it's not a big deal to us because we get overtime and it's all part of the job.

it is i

I've driven cross country a number of times without my license. Easiest thing is, don't do anything to get caught. In 20 years of driving I've never actually had to have a license or insurance.

Crystal

Totally depends on your state law. In Michigan they can write you a ticket. Heck they can write you a ticket if you have your registration on you but it's not signed. Ludicrous.

christmas724

IN LOUISIANA BY LAW YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE IT IN YOUR POSSESSION WHEN OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE, HOWEVER IT IS OFFICER DESCRETION IF THEY ISSUE YOU A TICKET OR NOT. IF THEY DO CHOOSE TO ISSUE A TICKET YOU PAY THE FINE OR GO TO COURT AND FIGHT IT. IF YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY IN COURT YOU PAY THE FINE AND COST OF COURT.

RU Quazee

In GA you get introduced to the local jail population. Same without your proof of insurance.

bound4alabama

In theses times they can pull up your picture & info up on computer stationed in the squad. He /she can ticket you, or let you go with a written or verbal warning. Everything really depends on your prior driving record.

macstu23

They'll ask for ID to verify your details, then do a check on your license and registration. It just saves time if you have your license to hand. If there's any doubt over your id or your license, you get pulled.

name

depends...you could get a warning if its for somethign like a headlight being out but if your speeding major then you could get fined or another ticket for not havign it

its stupid though becaseu they look you up in the system even if you have it...you pretty much dont even need them anymore

Amber

They will just run your birthday and name. I forgot my license and got into a car accident (not my fault btw!) That's all the police officer did!

geraann

Some cops don't want to deal with the paperwork. Plus if you do get cited then usually you can go to court and show that you did have a valid drivers license at the time of the citation and they will dismiss the fine. But if you choose to go to court then the cop has to go too which is another reason why some don't bother.

Killer Queen

Depends on your state. They may fine you for it or they may just give you a warning.

js74

they may cite you or they may just contact person on cb radio

John S

They will ask you for your name and address, they can see your picture on there computer.

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