Constable Power to Stop Vehicles

Road Traffic Act 1988, s.163

Warrant: No
Force: No
Notice: No

A constable in uniform, or a traffic officer, may require the person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road to stop the vehicle. This is an absolute power: no reasonable suspicion or specific ground is required. Failure to stop when required to do so by a constable in uniform is a criminal offence. This is one of the most commonly exercised police powers.

Conditions

The constable must be in uniform
The vehicle must be a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road
No reasonable suspicion or specific ground is required

Limitations

The power is to stop the vehicle only: it does not confer any power to search the vehicle or its occupants
Any subsequent search requires a separate power (PACE s.1, MDA s.23, etc.)
Failure to stop is an offence under s.163: the driver may be reported or arrested

Last updated 24 September 2026