My Rights

Requests for ID and police questions vs. The right to remain silent

Do I have to give my ID or name to the police? Do I have to answer questions?

You are not required by law to answer any questions – you have the right to remain silent. And you are usually not legally required by law to give police your ID or tell them your name.

But there are very limited exceptions regarding your name, address and ID:

  • If you are driving and stopped by the police, you must give them your driver’s licence (and possibly vehicle registration and insurance) for inspection if they ask.
  • The police can also stop you while riding a bicycle if they think you’ve broken a traffic law. In some provinces, if you are stopped for this reason, you must give the police your name and address.
  • In some provinces, if a police officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that you committed certain COVID-19 related offences, you must provide your name, date of birth and address.

If you are required by law to identify yourself to police and you do not provide this information, or you provide false information, the police could charge you with obstructing the police.

Do I have to give my ID or name to the police? Do I have to answer questions?
Do I have to give my ID or name to the police? Do I have to answer questions?
If the law does not require me to give my name and ID – what are my options?
If the law does not require me to give my name and ID – what are my options?
Can I lie to the police?
Can I lie to the police?