Was it legal to stop a car outside a stationary checkpoint?

What it is

The traffic police post is located in a certain territory and is responsible for it. Vehicles, any non-permanent structures or bushes are not permanent posts.

The term “stationary” itself means not movable. Some people are mistaken in thinking that if a traffic police car is parked on the side of the road, then there is a post in front of them. In such a situation, the post is considered traveling. Typically, a stationary post is located on highways near intersections, in the area of cargo-absorbing points, or near border crossings. As a rule, permanent traffic police posts are located not far from them.

The traffic police post operates 24 hours a day. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has lifted the ban on stopping cars other than at stationary traffic police posts.

What is a stationary traffic police post?

According to the law, it is defined that a stationary post is a non-movable checkpoint with office premises and technical devices . A traffic police post is located in a certain area for which the police are responsible. Vehicles, temporary structures, roadside trees cannot be a permanent post. He shouldn't move. Many people incorrectly believe that a traffic police inspector’s car parked near the road is a stationary post. But in this case it is correct to call it mobile, or traveling.

Stationary posts are usually located on highways, near intersections or border points.

Reasons why a vehicle may be stopped

In order to check the driver’s documents, the traffic police inspector relies on the grounds specified in the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation number 185:

there is information that the passenger or the driver himself is involved in transport accidents, any administrative violations or crimes;
if necessary, provide your car to police or medical personnel;
performing regulatory actions;
the vehicle is wanted or has been used for illegal purposes;
in the case where the driver or passenger is a witness to the accident, to take evidence from him;
violation of traffic rules (if traffic police officers saw it or recorded it using special devices;
during raids related to the transportation of various prohibited goods (based on the current law);
if assistance is required in the event of an accident;
if the driver of the car is asked to become a witness;
orientation towards the driver or car;
for regulatory actions (when all machines need to be stopped),
to ensure the passage of a column with special signals,
when there is a need to help others,
if the vehicle is malfunctioning and creates a threat to traffic safety,

As you can see, in the definition of “stationary post” the section on checking documents at stationary posts was removed. Therefore, traffic police inspectors have every right to stop a vehicle to check the driver’s documents anywhere. But only if he has reasons for this check (and not to stop), which are listed above.

Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 185 on the Approval of the Administrative Regulations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation has existed for 8 years. This Administrative Regulation contains the rules and regulations for the relationship between a traffic police officer and drivers and pedestrians. The norms laid down in the regulations must be strictly followed.

Each of us, if not a driver, then a pedestrian, it is useful for all of us to know our rights and responsibilities in this status. Then, when meeting with a traffic police inspector, it is possible to eliminate misunderstandings and unreasonable conflict situations that arise precisely because drivers (pedestrians) are unaware of the rights of the inspector.

So, what does the traffic police inspector have the right to present to the driver in accordance with the points enshrined in Order No. 185?

What applies to stationary traffic police posts and what does not?

It is known that traffic cops can stop a driver to check documents only at stationary traffic police posts. But what is considered a stationary post? And does the law provide for punishment for inspectors who violate this rule? vlad 3477. Yes, stopping a vehicle by an inspector unnecessarily is an administrative offense under Art. 12.35 Code of Administrative Offenses with a fine of up to 20,000 rubles. However, I will complement you: to check documents, you can stop a vehicle only not only at stationary traffic police posts, but also during special events. If the driver, as I already wrote, was stopped by a lonely “road guard” and reported that the “Whirlwind-anti-terror” operation was underway, then ask why he was outside the “barrier post” and whether entries about this operation were made in his route card patrolling. But what is actually a stationary traffic police post and what is not? Alas, the very definition of a stationary traffic police post is becoming increasingly blurred and inaccurate. First, in 1999 (order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation of February 25, 1999 No. 146). In 2009, the Manual on the work of the traffic police was canceled, which still speaks quite clearly about the stationary post: “This is a place of duty for traffic patrol units, equipped with special office premises, equipped with operational and technical and special means, engineering and other structures, as well as the area of responsibility assigned to him” (emphasis added - I. Ya.). Let’s compare with today’s wording paragraph 22.4 of the Manual on the organization of the integrated use of forces and means of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation to ensure law and order: “Stationary traffic police post (SPDPS) is a traffic police squad of the traffic police, performing a task in a specific place, equipped with special office premises, equipped with operational-technical and special means , engineering and other structures." And the Administrative Regulations (clause 14) speak indirectly about the subject of our conversation: “The concept of a stationary traffic police post also includes a police control post and a checkpoint.” You may ask: what does the driver get from all these inaccuracies and wording? Here's the thing. At a stationary post, a traffic police inspector has broader powers in relation to drivers. Therefore, when trying to check and punish you for something at a great distance from the nearest traffic police post based on the traffic cop’s statement that this area is supposedly included in the area of responsibility of such and such a post, doubt and ask for a diagram of this very zone. If they don’t show it to you, then accurately record in the protocol the distance to the stationary traffic police post. Booths, cars, roadside vegetation do not belong to stationary traffic police posts. You can send your questions to the editorial office by mail (with a note on the envelope “Avtopravo”) or by e-mail

Verification of documents

The administrative regulations of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate include a list of actions required to be performed by employees of the Russian Road Inspectorate in order to ensure the safety of all road users. The inspector has the right to perform his duties both at a stationary and mobile post.

IMPORTANT! Now the inspector has the right to carry out document checks at posts of any type. Until October 2021, this could only be done at stationary posts.

The list of powers of a State Traffic Inspectorate employee includes:

Checking that the car owner has documents for the car and a driver’s license if there is a suspicion of a possible offense.
Checking luggage, personal belongings and personal search upon receipt of information about the transportation of weapons, ammunition, and narcotic substances in this vehicle. If a weapon (other prohibited substances) is detected, permission to carry which has not been provided, the weapon or other prohibited items are confiscated by the employee.

The responsibilities of an employee when stopping a vehicle are as follows:

Introduction, giving greetings in the form, communication of rank and surname.
A clear and clear indication of the reason for stopping the vehicle. If the reason is not given, the driver has the right to ask about it.
Presentation of a police officer's identification. It is strictly prohibited to transfer it into the hands of another person.
The explanation with the driver is polite, only in “you”.
Careful handling of documents received from the driver. If they contain banknotes, you should return the documents to the driver and ask them to hand over the documents again without banknotes.

Checking documents at stationary traffic police posts

Stopping for inspection is associated with the task of the post officer to ensure unhindered, safe and constant movement.

At the same time, in 2021, the requirement to stop for document checks only at stationary posts was lifted. It is now allowed for a traffic police officer to stop a car outside a stationary post.

Field posts can now also stop for inspection. And this provision is enshrined in the new Administrative Regulations.

There is a document called “Manual on the work of the traffic police of the traffic police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs”, which states that:

An employee can check the documents of all persons whom he suspects of committing a crime;
If there is information that the driver is carrying weapons and other prohibited items, the officer has the right to search the car. If a prohibited cargo is found and the driver does not have permission for it, the traffic police officer must seize such cargo.

The need to inform the driver about a special event

Having informed the driver about the reason for the stop - a special event - the inspector is not required to present a document confirming its implementation. If the driver insists on familiarizing himself with such an order, he has the right to go to the nearest police station and familiarize himself with the order there. The state traffic inspector has no right to interfere with such actions of the driver.

ATTENTION! Remember this clause of the regulations and exercise your right legally. If an inspector asks to present documents or carry out a search of luggage and cites a special event as the reason for such actions, the driver has the right not to carry out the inspector’s order, but to go to the police department and get acquainted with the order to carry it out.

In the video about changes in the law on communication with traffic police

There are no plans to cancel permanent posts at this time. Such posts are located on highways, operate around the clock, have identification signs and special technical equipment.

Stationary traffic police post: What is it and do officers have the right to stop motorists?

In this article we will talk about the traffic police post. Surely you have seen such buildings located on different sections of the road. An interesting fact is that drivers are often stopped there for no particular reason. So what is a stationary traffic police post and what are the responsibilities of the specialists who work there?

Traffic police post (stationary). This is a non-movable traffic police point, which is located on one of the terrain areas. Motorists do not attach much importance to stationary points and do not even slow down in front of them. If there is a traffic police car parked near the post, then it is a mobile vehicle.

Where can you see such items most often? They are usually located in areas of loading points, border crossings and intersections. There is a traffic police post near such points, and the traffic police, in turn, carries out work 24 hours a day.

Why can a vehicle be stopped? You can see all the reasons for stopping in order 185 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. We have highlighted some of them: - A traffic police officer saw a violation of traffic rules, perhaps he recorded this using special devices. “Perhaps the inspector was told that the driver was involved in administrative and legal violations, incidents, or perhaps he even committed a crime.” — Perhaps the traffic police officer received information that the car was wanted. — The motorist must testify, or he witnessed the accident. — An order has been received to begin raids related to the transportation of prohibited goods. — Regulatory actions. — We need to provide assistance in case of an accident. — There is a need to provide a car to special services employees or traffic police officers.

Verification of documents. Such points should not be taken lightly. The fact is that the traffic police officers who work there must ensure constant safe traffic. It is at these points that employees have more authority.

Even if the driver has not violated any rules, he may be stopped to check his documents. Previously, documents could only be checked at stationary posts. But since 2017, this ban has been lifted.

From 2021, traffic police officers can stop violators even if they work at a field post. On what grounds can motorists be stopped? — Perhaps the traffic police officer suspected the driver of not having the right to drive. — The powers also include personal search, inspection of luggage, belongings and hand luggage. If there is no permission to carry an item, then the employee can confiscate the item.

Actions of a traffic police officer when stopping a vehicle. You can see the full list in the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs number 297. We will highlight several main ones. — First of all, the employee, of course, must introduce himself and give his title and last name. - Next you need to give a reason for stopping. The driver always has the right to find out the reason why he is stopped. - Well, then you need to build on the situation, the traffic police officer must look at the condition of this or that person. — Traffic police officers must always remain calm, behave with restraint and control their emotions. If you see that they are clearly rude to you, then you don’t even have to answer the questions, but immediately write a statement to the police.

It should be noted that there are few such posts; they are most often located where traffic is busy. Usually at this post they check the documents of drivers; employees have the right to perform such actions without any particular reason. After all, they may seem strange even upon visual inspection.

How to understand whether a traffic police post is stationary or not? It’s simple, it’s a small structure with the inscription “DPS”, it is usually located near the road.

Now you know what these strange structures are, which look like underground traffic police stations. As they say, all that glitters is not gold, and such clauses have even more powers. Be careful and do not violate traffic rules.