Can the Police just pull me over while driving for no reason?

The police are legally able to investigate certain issues in almost all driving situations. Unlike other situations, the police do not need grounds to believe that your licence, insurance or registration documents are not up to date in order to pull you over to investigate these issues. The rationale for this is that driving is not a right, but a privilege, and the power for a stop of this kind comes from the Highway Traffic Act.

These issues include:

• Whether or not the driver of the vehicle is licensed to drive
• Whether or not the motor vehicle is properly insured and registered
• Whether or not the vehicle is in good working order.

Unlike other situations, the police do not need grounds to believe that your licence, insurance or registration documents are not up to date in order to pull you over to investigate these issues. The rationale for this is that driving is not a right, but a privilege, and the power for a stop of this kind comes from the Highway Traffic Act.