License and Registration please. (Photo: heather)
These dreaded four words. Before these four words, those flashing lights from some car behind you. You start to pull over and say “Ah crap.” This car from behind you pulls up, they step out of their car. You roll down your window, and the person says, “License and Registration please.”
Most every driver has had this situation, I’ve had my fair share. Luckily in almost every instance the police officer has let me go. The one time I did get a ticket was when I was on a bike in a college town, officers think bike riders in a college towns are worthless.
I think it is important as a vagabond to avoid tickets and trouble with officers whenever possible. Vagabonds may go on many road trips, so there are many chances for being pulled over. It is especially important internationally.
Here’s what happened during my road trip from California to Texas, I was pulled over in Texas.
It was daytime, around 12:00pm, I was a few hours from my destination. More and more traffic started showing up on the highway, and I found myself passing a truck and a semi, they were going 5-7 miles above the speed limit.
The whole way I was driving 10 miles per hour above the speed limit during this road trip. I saw the cop as I drove by, he was sitting in the median with his radar gun. I thought to myself, ah crap, and said to myself “he won’t give me a ticket.” He was an older officer, looks like he has been on the force for at least 10 years.
Before I tell you about the conversation, you should know this, I left at 5pm the previous day, and slept 3 hours at a rest stop that night. I also drank the rest half of my 5 hour energy drink (thanks Nick for telling me about them) 2 hours ago.
He came to my passenger side window. He asked me for my drivers license and proof of insurance. I handed him my drivers license and proceeded to try to find my insurance. I took a while to muffle through my papers (I was tired) and gave him the wrong one first, it was expired 6 months. I found the other up to date one and handed him that. During this shuffling of papers he started to ask me some questions.
The Conversation.
“Why the hurry?”
I said half of the truth, “I was passing the truck.”
“I had you clocked at 80 before the truck.”
(No reply from me).
“Where are you from?” He said.
“I’m from Arizona, I just graduated college recently and moved to California to work.”
“Where you headed?” He asked.
“I’m headed to Dallas. I’m moving to Texas.”
“Why are you moving to Texas?” He said.
“Because I don’t like California, I like Texas a lot more.” This is the truth, and I don’t like California because California is VERY anti-business, high taxes, and they waste money on silly services. Texas is a low services, low taxes state.
“Where do you plan to work?” He asked.
“I run my own online business. Though I may look into the company HP in Houston. I’ve been driving since yesterday from Arizona.”
After I said the last sentence, I found the correct paperwork. Handed it to him, he went back to his car to phone in about whatever and came back with just my license in his hand.
He told me that to give me a ticket he would have to drive with me to the court to pay for it since I was from out of state. It is because Texas and California do not have a compact.
After he told me this, he let me go and warned me to drive the speed limit since I was from out of state. I thanked him and he went on his way while I went on my way.
Now, after you heard the part about him having to escort me to court to pay the ticket, you might say that’s why I did not get a ticket. Wrong. My plates said California, and many people have told me how rude California people are, and the rudeness is true most of the time (I was a rude one for a while). People in Oregon hate California people is what I hear. Expect to be pulled over in Oregon with California plates.
If I acted rude and abrupt to this officer, he would have enjoyed taking me down to the court and having me pay it.
This would
- one, cost me money
- two cost me time
- three, annoy the hell out of me
There is no pleasure for a veteran police officer to discipline a very nice person. Though newer officers will take pleasure in giving a ticket to anyone.
Now, if you followed the story, I did a lot of specific things to avoid getting a ticket from he officer.
Here are the 7 ways to avoid a ticket. I did not apply all of these, though they are all ways to avoid a ticket.
7 Ways to Avoid a Ticket
1. Be Genuinely Nice
The officer can tell whether you are being real or not most of the time. They’ve met thousands of people with many different attitudes. They have listened to liars and every weirdo you can think of. Be nice.
2. Don’t Waste Their Time
When I was shuffling through my papers, my goal wasn’t to waste time and he knew it. I had my license ready, and my car packet ready. I just couldn’t find the insurance earlier while looking through it.
Officers are busy people. Do what they ask (ask long as they are reasonable). Some officers do want to waste your time, don’t let it show you are in a hurry.
3. Be Calm
Some people get angry when they get pulled over. Others say bad things to cops. Just don’t do it, being calm transfers to the cop. Being nervous may transfer over too.
4. Be Honest
Now, you don’t say things which will hurt you. Say things which will help you.
I told the officer everything he asked about honestly.
Now if your honesty is a negative thing, you can tell half of the truth like for what I did with the passing of the truck.
5. Silence is Golden
Every veteran officer has heard thousands of fake stories. If you start making up an excuse when he first comes to the window, he knows you are trying to avoid the ticket.
I was silent when he came to the window and started talking. He knew I wasn’t going to make up stories or try to the avoid the ticket, I did all the above 4.
Now, if I started making up a story about X or Y before he asked any questions, I probably would have gotten the ticket after that.
Silence does something to people. It is awkward. Most People have a habit of trying to fill up silence. With this cop, he started to ask questions. He learned I liked Texas and was moving there.
6. Ask and Sometimes You Shall Receive
Sometimes you just need to ask for forgiveness. If you follow the above steps, and you ask, you are more likely to receive no ticket or a reduced ticket. Be honest when you ask and tell them honestly you will not make the same mistake. Promise them sincerely and follow through with it.
7. Believe You Won’t Get a Ticket
Sometimes you just need to believe you won’t get a ticket. Truly believe it. Believing is seeing.
I subconsciously followed most of the steps because in my heart I said I wouldn’t get a ticket. If I was to panic and worry about getting this ticket, I would subconsciously screw it up.
Bonus!
The reason for the bonus is because it is a way I would not recommend though it still works some of the time.
8. Tell a Made Up Story with Passion
I’ve seen this done by many different people. Women with kids can usually get away with it if they tell a believable story and the kids play along.
The person telling the story shows a lot of emotions, concern, sadness, whatever emotion goes with the story.
Tell a believable story. Be consistent with the details, cops will spot what spots you change.
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Even if you follow everything, it won’t work every time. Using these techniques, they will help you most of the time, especially with veteran officers.
One of the best thing which happens when you follow all of the above, some cops will reduce what ticket they give to you. Reduce meaning giving you another ticket which costs you less and has less of a penalty, if any, to your insurance. Sometimes officers have no choice but to give you a ticket, so do your best to reduce it.
There is not much you can do with a rookie except follow these steps. Rookies will follow the rules and give you a ticket, if they try to piss you off, it gives them another reason to give you the ticket if you get angry.
I’ve had rookies not give me tickets because I stayed calm and honest through the situation. I followed the first 5 steps and the 7th.
One very large item I must mention. I have a deep respect for cops. I’ve met dozens of great ones and few terrible ones. They work hard most everyday and risk their lives at the same time. Have some true respect for them, respect is not something you should fake.
What has worked for you? Have any tips to not get a ticket from a police officer?
Posted January 23rd 2010.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
great advices, I just came across your web. I wish I could be as determined as you, going 4 your dream. Good luck
Thanks Charmaine. You can definitely be as determined as you choose to be, more than me in fact (I dare ya!)