Being stopped by the police while driving

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1. Overview

The police can stop a vehicle for any reason. If they ask you to stop, you should always pull over when it바카라 사이트™s safe to do so. You바카라 사이트™re breaking the law if you do not stop.

If you바카라 사이트™re stopped, the police can ask to see your:

  • driving licence
  • insurance certificate
  • MOT certificate

If you do not have these documents with you, you have 7 days to take them to a police station. You바카라 사이트™re breaking the law if you do not show the requested documents within 7 days.

The police can also give you an on-the-spot fixed penalty notice for many minor offences and make you take a breath test in certain circumstances.

You can also have your vehicle seized if you바카라 사이트™re stopped on suspicion of driving without insurance and for some other offences.

2. Breath tests

The police can stop you at any time and ask you to take a breath test (바카라 사이트˜breathalyse바카라 사이트™ you) if:

  • they think you바카라 사이트™ve been drinking
  • you바카라 사이트™ve committed a traffic offence
  • you바카라 사이트™ve been involved in a road traffic accident

If you refuse to take a breath test, or fail to supply a sample of breath and do not have a 바카라 사이트˜reasonable excuse바카라 사이트™, you can be arrested. A reasonable excuse could be a genuine physical or mental condition stopping you from giving a sample.

The breath test gives a result straight away. If it shows you바카라 사이트™re not over the drink drive limit, you may be allowed to go.

If you fail the breath test, you바카라 사이트™ll be taken to a police station and given a final breath test. If it바카라 사이트™s positive, you will be charged.

If the officer thinks you바카라 사이트™re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they can ask you to:

  • take a drug test
  • do a physical test (a 바카라 사이트˜field impairment test바카라 사이트™), for example walk in a straight line then turn around and walk back

You can be arrested if you fail the test.

If you fail a breath test you cannot drive your car until you바카라 사이트™re sober. You can ask someone else to collect your car for you.

3. Minor motoring offences

The police can give you a 바카라 사이트˜fixed penalty notice바카라 사이트™ for less serious traffic offences, including for:

  • careless or inconsiderate driving
  • using a mobile phone while driving
  • not wearing a seat belt
  • driving too close to another vehicle

You can be fined up to £200 and get penalty points on your licence if you get a fixed penalty notice - you may be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 points within 3 years.

The police can also decide to:

  • take no action
  • issue a warning
  • offer driver training
  • charge you with an offence

You can choose not to pay the fixed penalty if you believe that it was given unjustly, but you바카라 사이트™ll have to argue your case in court.

4. Faults with your vehicle

If your vehicle has something wrong with it, for example a broken brake light, the police may give you a 바카라 사이트˜vehicle defect rectification notice바카라 사이트™.

You바카라 사이트™ll need to get your vehicle fixed and provide proof that it바카라 사이트™s been fixed, for example a receipt for the work from a mechanic. You have 14 days from the date of the notice to show the proof to the police.

5. When the police can seize your vehicle

The police can seize a vehicle if they think it바카라 사이트™s being used in a way that causes alarm, harassment or distress, for example careless or inconsiderate driving.

They can also seize a vehicle if they think it바카라 사이트™s:

  • being driven by someone who does not have a proper licence or insurance
  • dangerously, illegally or obstructively parked
  • broken-down or abandoned

If your vehicle is seized there바카라 사이트™s a 바카라 사이트˜release fee바카라 사이트™ of up to £200 plus a storage fee of £20 for every day or part day.