Stopped while driving

If you are driving you must stop when a police officer tells you to. You must also say who was driving if the police ask.

You must stop your car when a police officer in uniform tells you to.
Failing to stop is a crime.
If you are the registered keeper of the car you must say who was driving when asked.
This often comes as a form in the post.
It is not usually a question at the roadside.
Refusing to say who was driving carries a fine.
Refusing to say who was driving also means points on your licence.
This licence penalty is often worse than the driving offence itself.
You do not have to speculate about your speed or agree with the officer’s account.
You do not have to explain where you have been.
If it turns into a police interview you can ask for a free solicitor.

This is the short and simple version.

The full page has more detail. It also shows the law each point comes from.

Checked 2026-08-26. This is information, not legal advice.