Do you need reasonable suspicion to do a K9 sniff of a vehicle?

• A. Yes, you need reasonable suspicion
• B. Only with a warrant
• C. No, but you cannot hold the car longer than usual on a traffic stop to wait for K9
• D. Yes, you need probable cause

Answer: (C)

During a lawful traffic stop, a drug-detection canine sniff can be conducted within the time needed to handle the stop, without requiring additional reasonable suspicion or probable cause. The key limit is that you cannot hold the vehicle longer than usual to wait for the dog; if waiting for the K9 would extend the stop beyond its normal duration, the extension would require reasonable suspicion to justify it. This aligns with the idea that a dog sniff is permissible during a valid stop, but you may not prolong the stop to accommodate the dog. The other options would imply you always need a warrant or probable cause, or that reasonable suspicion is required to perform the sniff itself, which is not the rule in this context.