# Commandering Vehicles

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commandering-vehicles/771925>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 14, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commandering-vehicles/771925 "2016-11-14T01:46:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Potestas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/50afbb/32.png) [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commandering-vehicles/771925/1 "2016-11-14T01:46:37Z")

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I’ve seen it happen on so many police procedural tv shows and dramas where the law enforcement officer/ agency can just hop on someones motorcycle or in someones car to chase the bad guy.

Is this legally permissible in real life or simply made up for the benefit of the tv viewing audience?

IF it is legally permissible are there rules that they have to operate under in order to commandeer your vehicle? Can you refuse? If they wreck your vehicle do they compensate you for it or is it a loss for the “good of society”?

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commandering-vehicles/771925/2 "2016-11-14T01:55:54Z")

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SDSAB Staff Report: [Can cops really commandeer cars?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2247/can-cops-really-commandeer-cars)