Under the motor vehicle exception, if there is probable cause to search a motor vehicle, whose belongings within the vehicle may be searched?

• A. Only the driver's belongings
• B. Passengers' belongings in the vehicle so long as belongings can conceal the object
• C. Only sealed containers
• D. Only luggage in the trunk

Answer: (B)

Under the motor vehicle exception, when there is probable cause to search for a specific item, officers may search the entire vehicle and any part of it that could conceal that item. This includes belongings of any occupant inside the car, not just the driver, as long as those belongings could hide what is being sought. The reason is practical: vehicles can move quickly and evidence could be hidden or displaced, so a warrant isn’t required to reach all areas within the car that could conceal the object of the search. For example, if there’s probable cause to find contraband, officers can inspect not only the car’s compartments but also a passenger’s bag inside the vehicle if that bag could conceal the contraband. The other options are too narrow because they restrict the search to only the driver’s belongings, or only sealed containers, or only luggage in the trunk, whereas the motor vehicle exception allows a broader search of belongings within the vehicle that could conceal the item.