When i get pulled over and a cop "runs" my license what can he see?

[S4toSTI]

I ask this because i am always worried when i am pulled over whether the cop can see past tickets or stuff like that. I personally don't have any arrests but for other people would the officer be able to see arrests if they were in the same city or state. If none of these what can the officer see when he runs your license. Thanks for the help and thanks for helping tst.

[poolmike]

I think they can get most of your past record....

[S4toSTI]

Interesting.... i would like to know what comes up, for me that is.

[WhiteXFire]

Though the police obviously have access to all of your records, I believe all they check when you are pulled over is the validity of your license (valid/suspended/expired), if your tags are valid and the car is properly registered/insured, and whether or not there are any outstanding warrants for the driver. I think a lot of people don't realize when they complain about being pulled over for "stupid" reasons that one of the main ways people are caught for outstanding warrants are a direct result of "routine" traffic stops. This is why an officer will use extreme caution and not necessarily seem friendly when he first pulls you over...he has no idea if you're an upstanding citizen or a wanted murderer. It's actually a very dangerous part of the job.

[PSI Chick]

i'm pretty sure that they can see past voilations as well as arrests. this is kind of important info for them to know, as if you were arrested for murder or something they might like to be aware of that for their own protection.

[S4toSTI]

Yeah i am pretty interested to know the real answer i always thought they could see stuff but i never foiund it a good time to ask a cop when i was getting pulled over if he could see old stuff... his response would be oh what old stuff is that.

[04CROWNVIC]

In philly when we run your licnese over the air (police radio) or on the computer in the car all we can see is the license info and if the license is good and if you have any outstanding warrants at the time.. If we want more info such as if you were ever arrested and for what and how many times we take you into HQ and run you throught a different computer.. but other departments may have better equipment and be able to get that info on the street...

[S4toSTI]

Thank you officer.

[jspek]

hmm i always wondered that. and if it makes a difference in getting a ticket or not haha.

[ScoobyNubieToo!]

Originally Posted by WhiteXFire

This is why an officer will use extreme caution and not necessarily seem friendly when he first pulls you over...he has no idea if you're an upstanding citizen or a wanted murderer. It's actually a very dangerous part of the job.

If most people would keep this and mind and just shut up and be friendly and cooperative, they would probably find themselves with far fewer tickets when they actually do get pulled over. These guys have no idea what the hell they're walking into. When people act the fool and give'em a hard time that just provokes an officer to react unfavorably towards them.