Warrantless searches of motor vehicles after a stop are constitutional as long as the vehicle is mobile,meaning it can be driven away at any time.

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The Supreme Court has ruled in several cases, including Carroll v. United States (1925) and Pennsylvania v. Labron (1994), that warrantless searches of motor vehicles after a stop are constitutional as long as the vehicle is mobile. This is because there is a lower expectation of privacy in a vehicle that is capable of being quickly moved and because it is impractical to obtain a warrant for a vehicle that can be driven away at any time. However, there are some limitations and exceptions to this rule, such as if the police exceed the scope of the search or if the vehicle is stationary and the driver is detained for an extended period of time.

Warrantless Searches of Motor Vehicles After a Stop Are Constitutional