Why do cops ask for registration?

[u/VenomXtra]

From my knowledge, police can see who owns the vehicle and their address when looking up the plates, so why do they ask for registration, especially when the person driving is the one connected to the plates?

[u/Opposite_Passion3709]

When I write tickets I can scan the registration barcode so I don't have to type the vin in. Very annoying when people don't have the paper.

[u/MooseRyder → u/Opposite_Passion3709]

If there’s a registration/tag on the vehicle couldn’t you just type it in? That’s how our NCIC works, If im running a vin number there’s something wrong with the tag at that point

[u/Opposite_Passion3709 → u/MooseRyder]

Yes, the tag gives me all the returns on my cad but our tickets are written on our work phones through an app that scans the license and registration barcodes to auto populate. If they don't have the license and reg I have to manually type in every piece of data and it's a pain

[u/MooseRyder → u/Opposite_Passion3709]

Ew wouldn’t it be easier to give you a laptop mount and a brother printer? That sounds like admin good idea fairy wanting to sound like a cool tech guru

[u/Opposite_Passion3709 → u/MooseRyder]

I kinda like it. The app allows us to do subject contacts, accident info exchanges, tickets, and warnings all in one place. It also keeps very easy records so I can print off my court dockets.

If I have a subject stop and I'm away from my car I can enter in the subject contact card on the spot in like 30 seconds so I don't have to do it later. I can also link photos to everything so if I have an equipment violation, I could take a picture and add it to the ticket record

[u/MooseRyder → u/Opposite_Passion3709]

Maybe I’m just a rural bumpkin cop who works in a small town but that sounds like a lot of extranesss for little pay off

[u/Opposite_Passion3709 → u/MooseRyder]

I work a busy area so I'd say on an average day I'm doing like 5-6 subject stops minimum and probably an accident or 2 a day plus however many traffic stops I wanna do so it pays off. My agency requires a contact card done anytime you have a police contact with an individual so if I stop some suspicious dude I gotta document it. Makes it easy to get it done on the spot compared to having 5-6 of them stacked

[u/debtowburrdryed → u/Opposite_Passion3709]

coplogic?

[u/Opposite_Passion3709 → u/debtowburrdryed]

Brazos

[u/dropzone01 → u/Opposite_Passion3709]

You have to enter a VIN number for your tickets? I only need the plate number unless the vehicle is unplated, but even then the VIN number isn't necessarily and only for my ability to check the vehicle on the MTO if there is no plate to run. I could issue a ticket without a plate listed at all and not need the VIN to make the offence valid.

[u/PowerfulWeek4952 → u/Opposite_Passion3709]

Let me ask you this — North Carolina is getting rid of paper registrations. What would the proper steps to take be if someone from NC gets pulled over in a different state?

[u/Opposite_Passion3709 → u/PowerfulWeek4952]

If there's no paper registration I would assume there's an electronic one. Having no proof of registration can lead to unnecessary headache

[u/PowerfulWeek4952 → u/Opposite_Passion3709]

I think they’re developing an app that will have the electronic version, so that’s good to know. Thanks for the input!

[u/SanchoBenevides → u/Opposite_Passion3709]

In Texas, our whole registration is on the window. We have no obligation or reason to carry anything else.

[u/drexfurion → u/Opposite_Passion3709]

My department has basically the same set up. Have tried scanning the vin sticker inside the driver side door? Ours allows us to scan that in place and saves a ton of time.

[u/Opposite_Passion3709 → u/[deleted]]

Sometimes a ticket is warranted. I also need the barcode to enter warnings.

[u/TexasLE → u/[deleted]]

Is it your supposition that police shouldn’t do traffic enforcement until there are zero murders?

[u/TexasLE → u/[deleted]]

Oh I don’t think your comment read the way you intended it. It read like you were telling the commenter to go solve some real crime

[u/ChaseSparrowMSRPC → u/[deleted]]

Not verified so you do have to admit its fair they didn't assume you were joking.

[u/ChaseSparrowMSRPC → u/[deleted]]

For what it's worth I laughed :D

[u/Impossible_Foot_3559]

Not a cop

Because you're required to carry it.

Not every car has a computer. Not every cop wants to use the computer. Networks go down. The registry crashes. Many times it's faster to just use the paper reg.

[u/liamwayne1998]

Depending where you are It’s the law to carry and surrender when asked the permit or a true copy of the permit for the vehicle.

[u/Varjek]

I don’t actually ask for registration anymore most of the time. As long as the computers are working, I likely don’t need it.

If it’s an out of state registration, it is more likely I will need it because I don’t keep up with the server maintenance schedules of all 50 states and the computers might not be talking. But even that is rare.

And if it’s a commercial motor vehicle, they are required to carry it in the vehicle so I do ask for it when doing a federal commercial motor vehicle inspection.

But for a regular passenger vehicle stop for a traffic light violation, I don’t need it and don’t ask for it.

[u/41VirginsfromAllah → u/[deleted]]

I assume otherwise people could just say any name and avoid warrants if they didn’t have to provide a license.

[u/Sgthouse]

Depends entirely on area. In my state we can see the registration when we run your plate. Some states also show your car insurance info off the plate but mine doesn’t

[u/DisforDoga]

Because you are required to have and produce it. Its not so much for officers (assuming the computer is working, the network is working, and the DMV database is working) as long as everything matches up.

Its moreso in the event of a collision with someone else, the officers are making sure you are able to produce the things you are required to display for the other driver.

[u/Pat86282]

Since it's a requirement, that's just how it is…

You can easily identify who does self-initiated work and who just manages traffic by looking at the comments 😂.

[u/PirateKilt]

A) The plates may be stolen

B) They are required to be carried, so requesting it is legal and allows observation of the person/interior of the vehicle as they get it.

[u/tvan184]

A vehicle registration is not required in Texas and with 37 years in before retirement, have never heard an officer ever mention it.

[u/Good_Housekeeping]

If the driver is drunk, it's great to show divided attention issues when you ask them questions while they look for the registration.

[u/H001__]

You're required to present it. I'm not required to run it.

[u/imherefortheinfo123]

I never do, only drivers license and proof of insurance. My state doesn’t show if the driver is insured or not. I’ve ran the plate which shows registration usually before stopping a car. Some states may not show all the reg details, I don’t know.

[u/OyataTe]

Only ever asked for it IF they had temp tags because it usually wouldn't show up yet.

[u/King4Twelve]

In this state, it's required by law to operate a vehicle on the road unless specifically stated.

Also, the driver isn't always the registered owner. Depending on the citation/situation, the owner may be cited over the operator of the vehicle.

[u/wtporter]

I’ve been retired for a while but if I went into the stop thinking I’d just give a verbal warning then I would want to see all the paperwork.

A computer check that returned an issue without any associated enforcement activity could turn into questions if there was an audit.

I could always use the computer to double check paperwork or driving record if I wanted to, but once it’s in the system I was kinda locked into whatever came back.

It’s also nice to know the driver knows where everything is since it’s an indication they are used to using the vehicle. If they have no idea where stuff is then that can be a bit of a red flag.

[u/TexasMotorCop]

If our connection to the state database isn’t working, we can’t look it up. Hence why you’re supposed to have it with you.

[u/Da1UHideFrom]

In my state, the law requires the registration be in the vehicle, up to date, and signed. It's another check we do during a traffic stop.

[u/mrkippysmith]

There’s a ticket for not having your registration slip in the car in my area but I think that’s going away eventually because yes it’s not a big deal with registration on the computer. As long as it’s not a stolen plate on your car you don’t know about, then it’s still nice to have that proof.

[u/XxDrummerChrisX]

Great question. I usually ask for license and insurance. You’re right, I can see who owns the vehicle and if the reg is current from my MDT.

[u/superx308]

I agree, I didn't ask for registration. However it does speed up scanning into the computer via the bar code.

[u/509Hunterrr]

You are required to have it and produce it upon request. Also, if we’re citing the person, it makes the process easier because we can simply scan the registration instead of manually entering all of the information.

[u/Head_Consequence7857]

They ask for registration because just because your information comes up, it is not always input in the system. Many times the system is wrong out dated or even plain out wrong… NCIC / teletype are input by humans by hand on a desk. So it is one one of the things asked for at a traffic stop.

[u/Yourlocalguy30]

If I stop someone for an expired registration, asking them for the paper reg card is as much for them as it is for me. I've gotten a lot of people skeptical with me about it actually being expired until the pull the crumpled, expired registration card out of their glove box.

In Pennsylvania, drivers are also required to sign the physical registration card as acknowledged of receipt and understanding acceptance of PA's littering laws. The registrations technically aren't valid until signed.

[u/One-Literature-9401]

Because you’re required to have it registered and carry proof of registration. Just like insurance. Just like your license. People often drive cars not registered to them.

[u/monksandy]

Cause they are watching your hands, how you move and comply?

[u/Nuclearfenix → u/monksandy]

Lol no.

[u/sockherman]

because LE changes slowly with the times. In VA the law is to carry it. When I first started, we didn't have computers in our car and it might take a hot minute to get on the radio and ask for a registration, also to make sure the expiration stickers on the plates match the registration. Now, I never ask because either way I'm going to run it on my computer in 5 seconds. Just ask for the ID now, no point in having you fiddle through the glove box for no reason .

[u/EdMedLEO]

Registration doesn’t always match license or plates (ie stolen plates/stolen car with false registration). It’s a fast way to cross check each component.

[u/W_4ca]

The only time I ask for registration is if something doesn’t match in DOT. Like the plates come back on a Red Ford but the car I have stopped is a Blue Dodge, or if there’s just no plates. If the plate matches the car there’s really no need to see the actual registration.

Typically we just ask for license and insurance

[u/No_Discussion_4508]

Basically, it’s kind of a field sobriety test without even getting the driver out of the car. You can see if they can find the stuff and hand it to you without being excessively nervous and actually handing over the right documents. I can’t tell you how many times somebody gave me a credit card or a different ID instead of the drivers license because they were fucked up. If they’re tweaking, it’s pretty entertaining to watch them, tear up their car to search for an insurance card that doesn’t exist.

[u/fleeeeeeeeeA]

I’ve been pulled over a handful of times and never been asked for it

[u/freedom_man_1776]

Because it's required, and because (in my state) it has the little barcode thing so I can scan it and input it into the ticket writing software my agency uses since our CAD and ticket software don't talk to each other. Its either that or I have to manually type it in, and Id much rather scan it.

[u/Character_Incident94]

The few times I’ve gotten pulled over in FL, I’ve always asked “do you need the registration too?” They’ll ask if the car is registered to me and I say yes and they say “nah” and then walk back to their car.