Can a Cop make you Pop.... Options

[Random_Stranger]

Your hood for no reason (Or even in California)? I was hearing about things like this happening. Today I got pulled over because my license plate was falling off due to a screw missing, so I put it on my dashboard. I got pulled over for a fix it ticket (not a problem) and the cop asked me if I had any engine modifications. I told him "No", and he took my word for it (and believe me, I have no modifications other than that aluminum hood, not even an exhaust). I was curious why he didn't make me pop it anyways. Was it because had I said yes, he would be allowed to then check it?


I wear hearing that in Santa Barbara, because of illegal displays of "exhibition of speed" (Hah! I didn't say the R word), that any car for whatever reason, they just pull over and say "Pop your hood" and then cars get impounded. I am not saying it is okay to do the "exhibition of speed thing", but some of us cannot afford a Mercedes McLaren, and just want that luxury, ya know?


Anyways, what are your thoughts or facts?


Thanks

[Valo666]

all i kno is over here, cops can ask u and you can say no. but by saying no, it just kinda means ur hiding sumthin.
normally cops aren't trained to spot illegal mods.. so if u refuse, they can just call the ministry of transportation to get some1 out there 2 check it. and that guy usually knows what 2 look for and then u'd pretty much hv 2 pop ur hood

The amount of time an officer will actually call the MTO is pretty few and far between. Usually most cops will pull you over on suspision of illegal mods...like nitrous, or improper exhaust. But unless they have a reason to belive you have these mods, they wont check. But depending on the law in your area, they cant legaly check under your hood unless they ask you 2 and you give consent. At the same time though, in ontario, if they call in the ministry of transportation officer, they have the legal right to do a full inspection on the spot and depending on how bad the car is/if there are any illegal mods can take the plates off the car right away.

So no a cop cant, but in ontario, an MTO officer can and will.