When can police order a motor vehicle to be exited without a warrant?

Police are allowed to order a motor vehicle to be exited without a warrant when there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. This principle derives from the need for officers to ensure their safety and the safety of others during a traffic stop. If an officer has specific and articulable facts that suggest criminal activity is occurring or about to occur, they can take necessary precautions, including ordering the occupants of a vehicle to exit.

This authority helps law enforcement officers mitigate potential threats in situations where they believe the individuals in the vehicle may be armed or involved in a crime, allowing them to maintain control of the situation. The requirement of reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than probable cause, which is necessary for arrests or searches, thus allowing for prompt and necessary action to ensure safety.

Other options suggest conditions under which police might require a vehicle's occupants to exit, but they either impose unnecessary limitations (like requiring a criminal record or only acting suspiciously) or misunderstand the broader legal framework of standard traffic stops. In essence, the ability to order someone out of a car hinges not solely on the traffic stop itself or the driver's past, but rather on the officer's reasonable and specific suspicions at that moment.