Which of the following is NOT listed as warrantless searches of vehicles?

• A. Consent
• B. Search incident to an arrest
• C. Terry search of a vehicle
• D. Vehicle exception

Answer: (C)

Warrantless vehicle searches hinge on specific allowed methods. Consent allows a voluntary agreement to search, and a search incident to arrest covers certain areas when a person is under arrest. The vehicle exception lets police search a movable vehicle without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe it contains evidence of a crime. A Terry stop and frisk, based on the reasonable-suspicion standard, is limited to briefly detaining someone and patting down for weapons on a person, not a vehicle. Since a Terry search of a vehicle is not a recognized basis for warrantless vehicle searches, it isn’t listed among the valid warrantless vehicle-search avenues.