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Getting pulled over by the police.
Hi everyone, I think that it might be prudent to share this story with all of you as this could happen to anyone I found out, not just me.
I got pulled over for a breath test recently one Saturday morning and was asked to produce my licence as well. As a lot of you here may well know, my transition is at the stage where even though I live fulltime, I haven’t changed my name and I don’t know of any female mechanics who do hair and makeup at work either. This means that the photo on my licence is still rather different than who I present as when not at work, until I can refinance my house this is the way it has to be.
So the issue arose with the police in regard to a matter of identification. As they said, they are looking at a photo of a guy and there is someone in the car who looks very much to be female. A worst case scenario was explained to me that I could be arrested until such time as my identification could be formally proven. This was verified also at the the local police station two days later. To be honest, I don’t blame the police for being sceptical because there is probably someone in the country [not suggesting one of us] who has changed their appearance because they are a wanted person.
So I offered and went to the RTA to see if there was a way to handle this interim period in terms of my licence but there wasn’t. I can’t do anything until I fully transition my life even though I mentally have already. Like I said, even after transitioning fully at work, I’ll still wear the same clothes anyway. I went back to the police also to speak again and try to help my situation and what they have done is put a note onto my file about my current stage of life and they suggested as well as agreed with me that it would be a good thing to obtain and carry a letter from my treating doctor which explains my current stage of treatment also. The thing that I have to be aware of is that until I can fully transition with a name as well as a photo change then from time to time I could have a hassle here and there. The police officer also said to me that they are going to have a talk with a station like Surry Hills in Sydney as they would have these issues a lot more in their area than out in the west [no offence intended by either party].
All in all, I’m happy with the result. Bring on 2011 so that I can refinance my house and get rid of my ex and then I can complete my transition. As we all agree, “it won’t happen overnight but it WILL happen”.
Anyway, be aware of this possible issue, even if you are a part time crossdresser also, there are times when your photo doesn’t match your presence, not by a longshot. I did ask on a number of occasions and no it’s not illegal, just that they are simply doing their job so we do have to respect that also.
Back to my renovations now, Peta A.
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18 Replies
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That sounds like a hassle, so there is no way you can change your name sooner than later? It was one of the first things I did along with a new D.lic photo. I’m guessing your current legal situation would make it a huge hassle to change it?
I have very few legal commitments thankfully and even after 6 months I’m still sending away letters and proving my new ID to everyone! fun fun! ..but it has to be done
lol
S.x -
This reminds me of a story I heard recently in Berlin from Martina a girl who had a similar problem. Her car was photographed going through a red light, a letter was sent to the owner of the car.
She went to the police station in male mode to be told that a woman was driving the car and for him to tell them who it was, pointing out to the police officer that he was a transvestite as she explained to him and it was her driving the car.
The answer from the policeman was not to cover up the crime for this woman driving the car and tell them her name.So Martina did what she had to, she went home got changed and came back to the police station, the police officer wasn’t shocked but was embarrassed to agree that he was wrong. And issued Martina with a fine, in some odd way she won the day but on the other hand she got fined.
Now Martina has an identity paper issued by the German government identifying her as transgender which can be used as ID for the police and government departments. But this ID can not be used as a reference for a passport all to open bank accounts from what I understand.
So the German government has seen the need for a identification card for people who in some aspects have slipped between the gaps.Penny
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I had my photo re-done…. Problem solved… Of course if you’re not 24×7 that’s not the answer – but maybe have a new photo where you have been as androgynous as possible?
On another note, Peta: I found transitioning had no effect on my home-loan.. Have you talked to your financial adviser at the bank?
All the best,
Shells
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I know someone who got her drivers licence in boy mode, came back later that same day in girl mode and said pretty much “I lost my drivers licence, can I have a new one nudge nudge wink wink” (the clerk was sympathetic and helped her out). So now she has two licences, same name but very different pictures.
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Quote:A worst case scenario was explained to me that I could be arrested until such time as my identification could be formally proven.
Hehe – this kinda happened to me a few weeks ago. I didn’t have my license on me (forgot it in the rush to get out the door) and I was in girl mode. Very provocative girl mode I might add, I looked like a hooker. It turned out that by a nasty coincidence that my car was unregistered (RTAs fault not mine – long story). Anyhow the cops took my car and probably assumed I was a pro! hehe – they kept me there for an hour or so and then escorted me home (2 of them). Twas a funny site being taken to my flat in “whore” mode by two police so I could prove who I was – I enjoyed it. They were also nice enough to take a happy snap of me posing in the cop car (which is on my Flicka site).
Getting “done” can be fun
Luv
Hex
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Hi Peta
lol heaps … you must have passed very well. Before I started full but had started on hormones, I was pulled over in girl mode with a boy drivers licence. He accepted me with out question, I offered my letter from my doctor, which he read, but he kept calling me sir. The lady cop came and did the breath test and she called me madam, so after he issued me my speeding fine and he asked me if I had any questions, I politly ripped him on the fact that he called me sir even after I producded my letter. He explained that he had not struck that before and did not know what to do. I explained to him how to treat trans people, and if he was not sure to ask.
So you passed so well, that must be a really good thing.
hugs
xxx
Kelly Jones
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Quote:The lady cop came and did the breath test and she called me madam,
It just occurred to me whilst reading this.. 3 weeks ago I flew through terminal 4 of Heathrow Airport, and due to a certain lump of metal in my leg I triggered the metal detector.. Without a word, the male security guard stepped back turned to his female colleague (a trainee I’d guess) and said, “you’ll need to pat her down have you been shown how?”
That of course raises a couple points…
[ul]Airport security is that good that “pat down” searches are taught “on the job”!
After 27 hours on a plane, I’m sure I wasn’t “passable” and therefore staff at the airports are being informed that .. well what? People dressed as women should be searched by female officers? Wonder how that goes with a Cross Dresser (eg Alex Reid)…?
[/ul]
Note: at no point did the security guards see any identification or boarding passes, so they had no way of knowing I am TS vs CD.. I was not in a skirt, but in jeans and t-shirt, so clothing makes little/no difference…Sorry if that’s hijacking your thread Peta, its unintentional, but a point worthy of comment?
Shells
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I was coming home from Hellfire in January and got pulled over for the usual RBT stuff, the cop didn’t know which way to look, I showed him my license and said I looked better in the day time (I was very inappropriately dressed)… he said “I’m not even got to ask” and sent me on my way.
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I got pulled over years ago needless to say dressed and will not say it all gone well, But that is a once off and its not happend since.
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I had a situation a few months ago where I was driving in regional WA, and there is so much of it, coming over a hill a Police officer stepped out and flagged me down. It was midday and I was in basic female mode, everything except heavy makeup. I presented my skippers ticket by mistake, then my drivers licence, got introduced to the fisheries inspectors looking for illegal fish and sent on my way.
No issues just a simple question “Have you been in any trouble with the police recently?”
I guess that my take on it was I had a full right to dress like I did and was not speeding or breaking any laws. I have no concerns driving around anymore as long as I watch my speed.
The training has come a long way and we should have expect nothing less than professionalism, remember some of those guys are just like us
😆Kerry
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Pulled over?
The only time fully dressed and having anything to do with the police – got waved through the booze bus check twice. One evening, not “dressed” but very half and half (I was on a rescue mission and didn’t have time to go either way), got stopped and the male officer said the usual stuff but did do a double take on who was taking the test after his little speal. Now, I have no choice, if I get pulled over I will be dressed.
On the subject of licence’s, if you live full time it makes sense to have your licence and your name changed. It makes the meeting with the authorities go so much smoother. It’s not expensive (I paid just over $200 for name change and licence) and the benefits are huge. No more worrying over being sprung. WA licences don’t have gender or title on them – just your name and address so there are no little white lies about your gender.
The last time I had to show my licence, I was well into transitioning but not full time. I had to go to court and the only comment was that I had changed quite a bit since the photo was taken. That was an understatement.
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Hey there Peta, it shows how long it has been since I have been on here and checking the posts.
yes the laws differ from state to state in regards to how far you have to prove your identity. but as Portia has mentioned the name change can fix all that, In WA I think for memory I paid 40 dollars for the name cnage and new licence.
As Kerry has mentioned the training has changed and will continue to change with in the Police services as we embrace cultural and community diversity, god I sound like a copper lol lol….
There is nothing to be a frraid of in a simple drivers licence check but there is food for thaught in measures that could be taken to alleviate the situation that Peta has eluded to.
Stef
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I’ve been pulled over a number of times for RBT and once for drug testing.
I have not changed my name officially yet and my drivers lic picture looks a lot different to when I am myself.
I have always been treated with dignity and respect by RBT police despite the photo not matching my appearance after a short explanation.
I was at the RTA a few weeks back getting my son his learners permit and I was called to the counter and I was asked for ID. Had to explain why my photo looked different, they offered to retake the photo. I declined as I said there are occasions when I sometimes actually look like that and I prefer to do it all at once when I officially change my name.
I do carry a copy of a letter in my glovebox from my doctor explaining my situation just in case there ever is a problem
But to date no problems.
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on this same subject irony I was dressed and lost South of Perth Saterday night seeing a friend. Well I made an ilegal turn before a cop car they seen I was dressed and did nothing. I will just place that one to good luck more than anything else!Phew 😳
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I must sometimes laught at some of the comments,
one night I was pulled over by a couple of police officers for not having a functional tail light and was propositioned by the junior officer, in front of the senior sergeant. after all sorted out the junior asked the sergeant how he would write up the problem, the sergeant asked “what problem?”
I got a written apology for the proposition
