Originally Posted by
Zoldor
hahaha this is so wrong. Nice arm chair lawyer. If an officer sees you digging around as he approaches the car it can generate probable cause that you were attempting to hide something or even prompt him before getting to the window that you are reaching for a weapon. You shouldn't dig around for anything until he approaches and asks for those items. It is rule 1. Keep your hands visible and keep movement to a minimum. Will they search you car if you do what the guy you quoted said, no. Does it open the door for them to? Yes. Does it open a line of questioning as to why you were moving around? Yes. Does it increase their suspicion? Yes.
A cop merely needs probable cause which is based on their observations at the time of the stop. Every single observation including you digging around before they approach the vehicle, to you being nervous even if you are for no good reason, to smell, to you not making eye contact. It is up to them as long as the facts they can claim leaded them to think that criminal activity took place. ie you rummaged around in your car, when questioned about that you stuttered and seemed nervous before claiming you were digging for you license. Door is open for them to keep going with more facts from that point to create more probable cause to justify their search.
It is always 100% better for you to wait until asked than to make any assumptions and actions prior to the officer's request. It is better for you and them that way. There is a reason they hate when people make any moves without being told.