When you get pulled over abroad...
Discussion
for a general police stop, where they take all your documents etc & go away for a bit to check them, then come back 10-30mins later with a confirmation all is ok...does anyone know who exactly they check them with?
Like do they have some sort of portal into the DVLA, DVSA or a UK insurance database to check the details in any way?
Or is it just a check on their national databases, which presumably come up blank unless you/your car has committed some crimes abroad.
Like do they have some sort of portal into the DVLA, DVSA or a UK insurance database to check the details in any way?
Or is it just a check on their national databases, which presumably come up blank unless you/your car has committed some crimes abroad.
Germany: Quiet, methodical, very professional and checked with UK authorities.
Bit scary when they gun for you.
US: shouty, angry, very threatening, checked fek all.
Garda Síochána, caught doing something naughty in a flash car. Punishment was to take Gard for a high speed run in said flash car. Checked nothing.
RUC. b
ds. Checked everything with a fine tooth comb and when found a minor issue that I said "wasn't that serious" (turned out it wasn't an offence at all) told me "how about we take it to a judge and see how serious he thinks it is".
Bit scary when they gun for you.
US: shouty, angry, very threatening, checked fek all.
Garda Síochána, caught doing something naughty in a flash car. Punishment was to take Gard for a high speed run in said flash car. Checked nothing.
RUC. b
ds. Checked everything with a fine tooth comb and when found a minor issue that I said "wasn't that serious" (turned out it wasn't an offence at all) told me "how about we take it to a judge and see how serious he thinks it is". DaveCWK said:
for a general police stop, where they take all your documents etc & go away for a bit to check them, then come back 10-30mins later with a confirmation all is ok...does anyone know who exactly they check them with?
Like do they have some sort of portal into the DVLA, DVSA or a UK insurance database to check the details in any way?
Or is it just a check on their national databases, which presumably come up blank unless you/your car has committed some crimes abroad.
There’s this thing called the internet so MIB, MOT and VEL/SORN status are easy to access for most EU countries . Spain actually has full vehicle and licence information sharing with UK since the Reciprocal Agreement on Driving Licences was signed in 2023 Like do they have some sort of portal into the DVLA, DVSA or a UK insurance database to check the details in any way?
Or is it just a check on their national databases, which presumably come up blank unless you/your car has committed some crimes abroad.
When I got stopped in Belgium after making significant progress they did a quick check of my paperwork (it’s the law to carry it in an English-registered car) but were much more interested in taking the money and, yes, all major credit cards were accepted. I didn’t feel like arguing due to each of them carrying guns so was only too happy to be breathalysed too.
They did say that if I had been Belgian they would have torn up my licence there and then but, as I am from the UK, they could sadly only take the money and tell me to be a good boy in future.
They did say that if I had been Belgian they would have torn up my licence there and then but, as I am from the UK, they could sadly only take the money and tell me to be a good boy in future.
Told me to keep the speed down and sent me on my way. I guess they couldn't be bothered with the paperwork. In the US, it depends who stops you.
Mississippi / Louisiana Border.
Local cops usually just sent me on my way once they had seen my licence and car rental paperwork.
State Troopers.
Absolute bellchoppers.
Despite showing driving licence, passport, rental documents, NASA, foreign national unescorted pass (meaning I could drive on the NASA site without an escort) they refused to let me drive away because I ‘Wasn’t allowed’ to drive in the US.
Made me wait for over an hour for a US national to come pick me up and drive my car away while they hid around the corner making sure I didn’t drive off after they had left.
Mississippi / Louisiana Border.
Local cops usually just sent me on my way once they had seen my licence and car rental paperwork.
State Troopers.
Absolute bellchoppers.
Despite showing driving licence, passport, rental documents, NASA, foreign national unescorted pass (meaning I could drive on the NASA site without an escort) they refused to let me drive away because I ‘Wasn’t allowed’ to drive in the US.
Made me wait for over an hour for a US national to come pick me up and drive my car away while they hid around the corner making sure I didn’t drive off after they had left.
I've not been pulled my self despite frequent European travel however as a child back in the 90s my dad wandered into the tour de France route in our hire car.
The gendarmes were furious to begin with before giving up with the language barrier and escorting us away then waving us off.
The gendarmes were furious to begin with before giving up with the language barrier and escorting us away then waving us off.
airsafari87 said:
In the US, it depends who stops you.
Mississippi / Louisiana Border.
Local cops usually just sent me on my way once they had seen my licence and car rental paperwork.
State Troopers.
Absolute bellchoppers.
Despite showing driving licence, passport, rental documents, NASA, foreign national unescorted pass (meaning I could drive on the NASA site without an escort) they refused to let me drive away because I Wasn t allowed to drive in the US.
Made me wait for over an hour for a US national to come pick me up and drive my car away while they hid around the corner making sure I didn t drive off after they had left.
Did they say you should have had an International Driving Permit? You don't need one in most States but I've heard of authorities there insisting you do.Mississippi / Louisiana Border.
Local cops usually just sent me on my way once they had seen my licence and car rental paperwork.
State Troopers.
Absolute bellchoppers.
Despite showing driving licence, passport, rental documents, NASA, foreign national unescorted pass (meaning I could drive on the NASA site without an escort) they refused to let me drive away because I Wasn t allowed to drive in the US.
Made me wait for over an hour for a US national to come pick me up and drive my car away while they hid around the corner making sure I didn t drive off after they had left.
Sheepshanks said:
airsafari87 said:
In the US, it depends who stops you.
Mississippi / Louisiana Border.
Local cops usually just sent me on my way once they had seen my licence and car rental paperwork.
State Troopers.
Absolute bellchoppers.
Despite showing driving licence, passport, rental documents, NASA, foreign national unescorted pass (meaning I could drive on the NASA site without an escort) they refused to let me drive away because I Wasn t allowed to drive in the US.
Made me wait for over an hour for a US national to come pick me up and drive my car away while they hid around the corner making sure I didn t drive off after they had left.
Did they say you should have had an International Driving Permit? You don't need one in most States but I've heard of authorities there insisting you do.Mississippi / Louisiana Border.
Local cops usually just sent me on my way once they had seen my licence and car rental paperwork.
State Troopers.
Absolute bellchoppers.
Despite showing driving licence, passport, rental documents, NASA, foreign national unescorted pass (meaning I could drive on the NASA site without an escort) they refused to let me drive away because I Wasn t allowed to drive in the US.
Made me wait for over an hour for a US national to come pick me up and drive my car away while they hid around the corner making sure I didn t drive off after they had left.
Every now and again you'll see YouTube videos where guys with British or Canadian bikes or cars have been pulled (plates then documents) and inspite of knowing exactly what is required as far as licence, insurance and documented verification is concerned get the "don't tell me my job" treatment.
Sheepshanks said:
Did they say you should have had an International Driving Permit? You don't need one in most States but I've heard of authorities there insisting you do.
Nope. Just a simple ‘Not Allowed’ I asked him once why despite having all the documentation and permits that had was I not allowed to drive in the US, I realised as soon as I got a ‘Because you’re not allowed’ response it wasn’t worth trying to reason with him.Anecdotally, this was also in the same Radiator Springs type town I was asked in shop ‘Hey what language do you guys speak In England? Spanish??’
Got stopped in Polamd for only having sidelights on during the day when dipped beam is required.
I gave my licence with about 2000zloty in it and cop was definitely not impressed, went ballistic, told them I had no pockets and forgot that cash was in there, and eventually got away after much searching and checking of paperwork.
I gave my licence with about 2000zloty in it and cop was definitely not impressed, went ballistic, told them I had no pockets and forgot that cash was in there, and eventually got away after much searching and checking of paperwork.
i am very obviously caucausian, i’m daz white.
so when pulled for speeding whilst on holiday in sri lanka i imagine the police officer thought he was due a nice little bribe.
I’ve only rarely seen someone to be genuinely gobsmacked but this was one such occasion, as i produced from my wallet not a stack of bills but a genuine sri lankan drivers licence.
on this occasion i think ‘what are the chances’ kicked in and he didn’t even ask to see my passport. he didn’t even fine me for the bang-to-rights offence.
so when pulled for speeding whilst on holiday in sri lanka i imagine the police officer thought he was due a nice little bribe.
I’ve only rarely seen someone to be genuinely gobsmacked but this was one such occasion, as i produced from my wallet not a stack of bills but a genuine sri lankan drivers licence.
on this occasion i think ‘what are the chances’ kicked in and he didn’t even ask to see my passport. he didn’t even fine me for the bang-to-rights offence.
About 2015
California... speeding but not crazily so... (about 85mph on a freeway so a 70 limit IIRC)
Cop pulled me over. Kept my hands on the wheel, did what I was told, handed over all documents.
"Ah you are a Brit... been there, your 'motorways' are crazy fast... I'm at the end of my day and I won't do the paperwork this time - BUT don't let me catch you again..."
California... speeding but not crazily so... (about 85mph on a freeway so a 70 limit IIRC)
Cop pulled me over. Kept my hands on the wheel, did what I was told, handed over all documents.
"Ah you are a Brit... been there, your 'motorways' are crazy fast... I'm at the end of my day and I won't do the paperwork this time - BUT don't let me catch you again..."
shirt said:
i am very obviously caucausian, i m daz white.
so when pulled for speeding whilst on holiday in sri lanka i imagine the police officer thought he was due a nice little bribe.
I ve only rarely seen someone to be genuinely gobsmacked but this was one such occasion, as i produced from my wallet not a stack of bills but a genuine sri lankan drivers licence.
on this occasion i think what are the chances kicked in and he didn t even ask to see my passport. he didn t even fine me for the bang-to-rights offence.
Out of interest, what is a standard "on the spot fine payment"? For a mild offence...so when pulled for speeding whilst on holiday in sri lanka i imagine the police officer thought he was due a nice little bribe.
I ve only rarely seen someone to be genuinely gobsmacked but this was one such occasion, as i produced from my wallet not a stack of bills but a genuine sri lankan drivers licence.
on this occasion i think what are the chances kicked in and he didn t even ask to see my passport. he didn t even fine me for the bang-to-rights offence.
for that part of the world, a few quid, a fiver tops even if naive and/or feeling generous. bribes never need to be big especially for fineable offences, actual offences cost more.... top tip is to empty your wallet of all the money you don't want to lose without them seeing, and then make a show of that is all you have. it's the theatre of it that grates. like stop the drama mate, here's your bribe, can i go now please?
i may have paid a few bribes in my time including for actual offences.... but for this i was actually on holiday, had learned that i could only self drive a rental if i had a sri lankan licence and that it was possible to get a temporary one if you're a stubborn sort of sod.
i may have paid a few bribes in my time including for actual offences.... but for this i was actually on holiday, had learned that i could only self drive a rental if i had a sri lankan licence and that it was possible to get a temporary one if you're a stubborn sort of sod.
Eastern Europe used be regular stops always thought it was a good thing.
Got pinged for slightly speeding through a German village, pulled over and told off only slightly thankfully.
North West Africa was bribe central, the delay at any border check point was proportional to the amount slipped their way. Though in full Brit style if they were being stubborn we'd just get the deck chairs out & fire up a brew they soon sent us on our way.
Got pinged for slightly speeding through a German village, pulled over and told off only slightly thankfully.
North West Africa was bribe central, the delay at any border check point was proportional to the amount slipped their way. Though in full Brit style if they were being stubborn we'd just get the deck chairs out & fire up a brew they soon sent us on our way.
Driving from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe in a rental, my then girlfriend and an older sister as passengers. Passed through seven police checkpoints that day, and six of them were absolutely fine. The one that wasn't was deep in the middle of nowhere, no phone signal, and four or five officers complaining that the car had incorrect plates.
Took about half an hour for them to realise that they weren't getting anything from any of us and they let us go.
Took about half an hour for them to realise that they weren't getting anything from any of us and they let us go.
Various asian countries, generally once they realise you don't speak the local lingo they just used sign langauge to get the message across of 'you did this and don't do it again' and was let go.
Only had to pay a fine once when a kind local spoke English and rocked up to the copper and said they were happy to translate for them B*****s.
Only had to pay a fine once when a kind local spoke English and rocked up to the copper and said they were happy to translate for them B*****s.
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