text: Stability Operations Considerations in Counterinsurgency
  • Observe all vehicles and all occupants.
  • Always maintain some element of randomness.
  Basic Levels
  7-36. The three basic levels of vehicle searches follow:
  Initial
  7-37. This is a cursory search that is the same for all stopped vehicles. This relatively quick check
  should take no more than two minutes. It may be combined with initial vehicle screening. Basic vehicle
  initial search procedures include—
  • Ensure at least two people conduct the search:
  (cid:131) One guard (driver and occupants)
  (cid:131) One searcher (vehicle)
  • Stop the vehicle at the search site.
  • Have all occupants exit the vehicle and move them to one location.
  • Instruct the driver to turn off the engine, and then open the hood, trunk, and all doors.
  • Continue the search once the above is complete.
  • Question or search of the driver and occupants is optional.
  • Begin and end the exterior search at the front of the vehicle, moving in a clockwise direction.
  • Visually search of the exterior and top of the vehicle.
  • Visually search of the underside of the vehicle.
  • Search the interior starting at the front compartment, then the right side, then the rear
  compartment, then the left side, ending at the front.
  • Complete the search.
  • Instruct the driver and occupants to continue.
  Primary
  7-38. This is a full search of select vehicles. Vehicles may be selected randomly, IAW screening
  guidelines or due to similarities to vehicles associated with previous events (a be-on-the-look-out,
  or BOLO list.) This search usually entails checking the interior, exterior, engine and trunk compartments
  and mirror checks of the vehicle underside. It should take two to five minutes. Primary search include
  those of those of the initial search and may add the following—
  • Question or search the driver and occupants.
  • Check the inside of the front hood.
  • Check the rear compartment.
  Secondary
  7-39. This is a detailed search of a suspect vehicle. A vehicle becomes suspect usually due to screening
  or discovery of items during a primary search. This thorough search is manpower and time intensive. It
  may include disassembling panels, checking interiors of wheels, and so on. At the basic level, to conduct a
  secondary search of a vehicle—
  • Ensure at least four people conduct the search:
  (cid:131) Two for the driver and occupants.
  (cid:131) Two more for the vehicle.
  • Assume that the driver and occupants or the vehicle itself is suspect.
  • If possible, have the vehicle stop in a safe and secure location.
  • Instruct the driver to turn off the engine, open the hood, open the trunk, and open all doors.
  • Obtain the keys from the driver.
  • Move the driver and occupants to a separate location.
  • Detain and search driver and occupants while searching the vehicle.