First Time Pulled Over, Lessons Learned

[punkndisorderly]

I got pulled over on the way to work this week. 30 in a 20, school zone. I'm so used to all the zones having the flashing lights, I didn't slow down. Woop Woop, bubble gum machine hit the jackpot. :(

I have my car off, DL and insurance out, and hands where he can see them when the officers walks up. I tell him good morning and keep try to keep it friendly. He popped me fair and square. I don't give him any excuses since, in my experience, it doesn't do any good and just makes cops mad.

He takes my ID back to the car to run me through the system and print the ticket. A few minutes later he comes back and asks me if I'm carrying. Doh, forgot to give him my CHL. I tell him I am and it's under the seat and start to pull out my CHL (wallet was still in my hands on the wheel). His had went to the butt of his pistol (don't think he realized he did it) and proceeded to lecture me for a good five minutes. A few quotes "What is it with you people, you're the second one in two days. You know the law" and "You know I could take you to jail and you could lose your permit." I merely repeat, "I'm sorry officer. I forgot." and "I'm sorry, I haven't been pulled over in 20 years, I'm a little nervous". He let it go with the speeding ticket and a butt chewing.

After doing some research and thinking for an evening, a few things I've taken away from the experience:
1) Turns out that there is no penalty for not showing the CHL now, so he was going on old data.
2) I'm taping my DL and CHL together so I can't pull one out without the other.
3) Since I have a CDL, I can't do deferred disposition or driver's safety. Grrrr.
4) It doesn't matter how nice you try to be, some officers feel like they have to have a stick up their butt.

[gigag04]

Couldnt do deferred or drivers Ed anyway - school zone.

[OCD]

After doing some research and thinking for an evening, a few things I've taken away from the experience:
1) Turns out that there is no penalty for not showing the CHL now, so he was going on old data.
2) I'm taping my DL and CHL together so I can't pull one out without the other.

I have mine in one slot in my wallet with my insurance card between them. If I have to show ID to buy alcohol or some other reason, the insurance card hides my CHL. If I pull out my DL and insurance for a cop, the CHL is right there too.

[OldCurlyWolf]

After doing some research and thinking for an evening, a few things I've taken away from the experience:
1) Turns out that there is no penalty for not showing the CHL now, so he was going on old data.
2) I'm taping my DL and CHL together so I can't pull one out without the other.

I have mine in one slot in my wallet with my insurance card between them. If I have to show ID to buy alcohol or some other reason, the insurance card hides my CHL. If I pull out my DL and insurance for a cop, the CHL is right there too.

Not in my wallet but in another little thing I carry I have DL, then Insurance Card, then CHL. If I need to hand two to an officer, no. 3 is right there with the other 2.

You must be a lot younger than I am. The last time I was asked for ID to buy liquor was in 1970.

[BrianSW99]

I keep the CHL right behind the drivers license in the ID pocket of the wallet. When I pull out the drivers license, I'll see the CHL right behind it. I don't think I'd want to keep the CHL taped together to the DL. I'd then be advertising my CHL to anyone I have to show my ID to, including non-LEOs.

[punkndisorderly]

Think I'm going to stick with taping the two together. I can count the number of times I've had to pull my DL out of the wallet on one hand in the last few years.

I had my chl right behind my DL and was too flustered to remember to pull it out as well. This was actually the best experience I've had with local police. I never had problems with an officer while I was a truck driver. I had a million miles with only a few "fix it" tickets. However, local cops just seem to delight in making my life miserable, and so I tend to be a little nervous. The officers that get me always seem to be rookies, are complete jerks, and end up fired within 6 months.

It's funny, because all the interactions I've had with police through work were totally positive.

[SewTexas]

I have to go onto military bases too many times (I drive my in-laws, retired military) I don't need to advertise to them that I'm CHL, I keep my chl in the same slot as my dl, but no way am I taping them together.

[jchanaga]

Hello everyone, this is my first post here but wanted to share with you something I do to keep my DL and CHL together so I never forget to show it to the Police officer if I'm pulled over.

Here are 3 pictures of a nice custom made leather ID credential case that fits TX DL and CHL cards perfectly. You will notice the top ID window is protected by a soft felt protector to keep the ID windows from scratching when the case is closed. Sorry I blurred out my particulars on the pictures but you get the idea how it looks.

Full disclosure, I don't sell, make, or have any interest in the company that makes these ID cases so I won't put any advertising here. If you are interested, PM me and I will tell you where I got this ID case.

Thanks for sharing all of your stories and experiences! Best, Jaime C. in Plano TX.

Open case


Felt protector covering top ID window


Closed case

[KC5AV]

That's pretty neat. I looked for something like that for quite some time. Eventually, I just started carrying both cards in something very similar, just made from plastic. I got it a couple of years ago when I bought my hunting/fishing license. The plastic works better for me, since I've been running and sweating a lot.

[RoyGBiv]

I dunno....
If I am carrying, and the Popo lights start flashing, the first three things I think of are
1. Where do I safely pull over?
2. What did I do (as if I didn't already know )?
3. What's the best way to handle the gun issue?

I cannot begin to imagine "forgetting" that I'm armed during a traffic stop.
Maybe after ~15 years It's all still too new and I'm just nervous?

[speedsix]

Think I'm going to stick with taping the two together. I can count the number of times I've had to pull my DL out of the wallet on one hand in the last few years.

I had my chl right behind my DL and was too flustered to remember to pull it out as well. This was actually the best experience I've had with local police. I never had problems with an officer while I was a truck driver. I had a million miles with only a few "fix it" tickets. However, local cops just seem to delight in making my life miserable, and so I tend to be a little nervous. The officers that get me always seem to be rookies, are complete jerks, and end up fired within 6 months.

It's funny, because all the interactions I've had with police through work were totally positive.

...get a haircut and stop wearing those "BAD cop....NO DONUT" t-shirts...that might help...I think his CHL ignorance trumped your oversight...but the price is the same anyways...I've paid one of those school zone tickets myself...OUCH...I'd visit with the chief about his lecture...uncalled for...as was his hand on his gun when your hands were busy in plain sight and far away from your gun...a touch of Wyatt Earp syndrome...

[USA1]

I cannot begin to imagine "forgetting" that I'm armed during a traffic stop.

Same here...no matter how comfortable my holster is.

[Dave2]

I cannot begin to imagine "forgetting" that I'm armed during a traffic stop.

Same here...no matter how comfortable my holster is.

I sometimes forget that I'm armed while I'm driving, but by "forget" I mean that I don't really feel my gun. If you asked me if I was armed, I wouldn't have to think too long or hard before giving you an accurate answer. I can see someone forgetting if they're sufficiently flustered.

I'm not too worried about it though, which I find cuts down on the nervousness.

[xtremeav]

You get get a wallet that comes with the removable licence holder that holds your TDL and CHL or you can buy it separately.
Looks like this:
http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.asp ... d=GI%20420" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[pcgizzmo]

I'm sure this has been covered a million times but he mentioned it was under his seat. So is he carrying under CHL or motorist protection act? Does one over ride the other? I don't remember. I assume if you have CHL that it takes priority.