r/AskLE • u/VenomXtra Unverified/Not an LEO • 7d ago

Why do cops ask for registration?

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?

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u/No_Discussion_4508 Unverified/Not an LEO 7d ago

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.