Under typical conditions, a vehicle stop with probable cause to believe contraband is inside permits a warrantless search of the vehicle.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if the driver consents
• D. True only if the vehicle is not moving

Answer: (A)

The main idea is the automobile exception to the Fourth Amendment. Because a vehicle is highly mobile and privacy expectations in cars are relatively limited, police can search a vehicle without a warrant when they have probable cause to believe contraband is inside. This applies during a lawful stop and does not require the driver’s consent, nor does the vehicle have to be moving for the exception to apply. If there is probable cause, officers may search the interior and any reasonable containers within the vehicle to locate the contraband, without waiting for a warrant.