Vehicle and occupant searches are a routine part of patrol work, but they come with specific rules that officers need to understand. Knowing when and how you can search a car and its occupants helps you build strong cases and avoid legal pitfalls. This class breaks down the key principles so you can handle these searches with confidence.

In Searching Cars and Occupants, you’ll learn about the factors that justify vehicle searches, the rules for searching passengers, and special considerations like vehicles on curtilage or at impound lots. We’ll also cover when you can search for weapons to keep yourself and others safe.

What You’ll Learn

  • Motor Vehicle Exception
    Learn the four key factors you need before searching a vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Exception.

  • Probable Cause Searches at Impound Lots
    Understand whether and how you can conduct warrantless PC searches of vehicles that have been impounded.

  • Vehicles on Curtilage
    Explore the special rules and legal considerations when a vehicle is parked on curtilage.

  • Searching Passengers
    Get clear on when and how you can search passengers during a vehicle search based on probable cause.

  • Searches for Weapons
    Know when you can search a vehicle or occupants for weapons to maintain safety and comply with the law.

By the end of this class, you’ll know how to conduct vehicle and occupant searches legally and effectively. You’ll be able to apply these principles in the field and build cases that stand up in court.


Certificate: 1 Hour

Credit: In-service credit available in many states

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Course curriculum

  1. 1
    • Welcome to Blue to Gold University

    • Course Introduction

    • Meet Your Instructor

    • Questions and Technical Support

  2. 2
    • History of the Motor Vehicle Exception

    • Four Requirements

    • K9s and Cars

    • Searching Occupants

  3. 3
    • Assessment

  4. 4
    • Course Outline

    • Presentation PDF

    • Case Law

    • Search & Siezure Survival Guide eBook

  5. 5
    • Searching Cars & Occupants 04-16-2026

Course Reviews

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4 star rating

Deeper Understanding is sometimes disappointing

Mark Hatz

This short course brings concepts concerning the motor vehicle exception into clear focus specially concerning passengers. Guess I've been lucky for years.....

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This short course brings concepts concerning the motor vehicle exception into clear focus specially concerning passengers. Guess I've been lucky for years...... for a long time I thought passengers were fair game for no other reason than they were there.

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5 star rating

Great class

Scott Boling

Wish I would have had this at the beginning of my career!

Wish I would have had this at the beginning of my career!

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4 star rating

This class was great

Humberto Martinez

i learned a lot. Its about the minor details, especially when it comes to our line of work

i learned a lot. Its about the minor details, especially when it comes to our line of work

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5 star rating

Chief Jarvis

Mary Jarvis

Excellent

Excellent

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  • Our courses are designed to be comprehensive, engaging, and well-structured delivered by a knowledgeable and passionate instructor.

  • Up-to-date, practical content that reflects industry trends and is presented in an easy-to-understand manner.

  • Collaborative opportunities, feedback, and assessment to facilitate student learning and progress tracking.

  • Our courses provide practical skills and knowledge that can be applied in real-life situations, with relevant examples, case studies, and exercises.

  • You will receive a certificate of completion.