191-376-5140 - Search a Vehicle for Explosive Devices or Prohibited Items at an Installation Access Control Point
Search the undercarriage and the exterior and interior of a vehicle, and find any explosive devices or prohibited items present

   1.  Stop the vehicle by using hand-and-arm signals.

DANGER: ALWAYS POSITION YOURSELF SO THAT YOU ARE HIGHLY VISABLE TO TRAFFIC WITH GOOD APPROACH SIGHT DISTANCE, AND WEAR REFLECTIVE VESTS SO THAT THE VEHICLE DRIVER CAN SEE YOU EASILY. NEVER STEP INTO THE PATH OF AN APPROACHING VEHICLE TO DIRECT MOVEMENT OR STOP THE VEHICLE.

   2.  Direct the driver to turn the engine off and apply the parking brake.

   3.  Interview the driver and vehicle occupants.

           a.  Identify yourself to the driver and occupants.

           b.  Inform the driver that his vehicle must be searched as a condition for entry onto the installation.

           c.  Identify each occupant by physically taking possession of and looking at their military or Department of Defense (DOD) identification (ID) card, state driver's license, or another form of a state or federal government-issued ID photo, and comparing the photo to the person.

NOTE: Notify your supervisor and the military police if you feel that the photo does not match the person being identified or if the ID has been tampered with.

           d.  Request to see the following documentation:

                 (1)  Vehicle registration.

                 (2)  Proof of vehicle insurance.

NOTE: Notify your supervisor and the military police if you feel that the documentation you are being shown is not valid.

           e.  Determine the specific reason why access to the installation is needed by asking questions such as—

                 (1)  Where are you going?

                 (2)  Who are you going to meet?

                 (3)  Do you drive this vehicle most of the time?

                 (4)  Would there be any contraband or prohibited items in this vehicle?

                 (5)  Has this vehicle had any repairs recently?  If so, what?

            f.  Maintain eye contact with the driver throughout the interview, and report suspicious behavior to the supervisor.

           g.  Notify the supervisor and military police if the driver appears impaired from the use of alcohol or drugs and if any suspected prohibited items are in plain view during the interview.

   4.  Direct the occupants to exit the vehicle.

           a.  Direct the driver to open all interior compartment doors, the hood, the trunk, and rear doors (if applicable) of the vehicle, while maintaining constant observation.

           b.  Direct the occupants to move to a designated safe area (about 5 meters from the vehicle and/or out of the flow of traffic) where they can be observed.

   5.  Search the undercarriage of the vehicle.

           a.  Use a flashlight and a mirror to carefully inspect under the vehicle.

           b.  Check for indicators such as new frame welds; items taped or attached to the frame; an unusual looking muffler; a fresh undercoating; and signs of recent installation of components such as a fuel tank, muffler, or other items.

   6.  Search the exterior of the vehicle.

           a.  Check for general indicators of explosive devices or prohibited items while searching the exterior of the vehicle. Check for the following:

                 (1)  Anything unusual in factory-built compartments.

                 (2)  New or shiny bolts and/or screws.

                 (3)  Unusual scratches, possibly made by screwdrivers, wrenches, or similar tools.

                 (4)  Signs of tampering, such as broken parts or bent sheet metal.

                 (5)  Unusually clean or dirty components and areas.

                 (6)  Wire and tape stored in the vehicle.

                 (7)  New or broken welds.

                 (8)  Unusual fingerprints of grease and/or oil in otherwise clean areas.

                 (9)  Fresh bodywork (fresh fiber glassing, fresh paint, and so forth).

                (10)  Fresh wiring and electrical tape.

                (11)  New caulking.

                (12)  Missing or altered vehicle identification number.

                (13)  False compartments that are not part of vehicle design.

WARNING: DO NOT WEAR JEWELRY OR OTHER DANGLING ITEM THAT CAN BECOME SNAGGED ON A VEHICLE. ALWAYS ENSURE THAT THE ENGINE IS OFF AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS SET BEFORE BEGINNING THE INSPECTION.

           b.  Check the exterior front, including—

                 (1)  Headlights that are not working.

                 (2)  A modified front grill or false compartment.

                 (3)  No access to the front bumper cavity.

           c.  Check the exterior sides, including—

                 (1)  Compartments, new welds, taped items, or fresh paint in the front fender wells.

                 (2)  Doors that feel heavy when swung.

                 (3)  Foreign items in the gas tank tube (driver opens the gas tank for inspection).

DANGER: DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT IF YOU BREATHE TOXIC AGENTS WHILE SEARCHING THE GAS TANK TUBE OF VEHICLES.

           d.  Check the tires, including—

                 (1)  New tires.

                 (2)  Tires with a solid sound.

                 (3)  Strange odor from an air valve.

                 (4)  Unusually clean or dirty lug nuts or hubcaps compared to other wheels.

           e.  Check the exterior rear, including—

                 (1)  Taillights that are not working.

                 (2)  No access to the rear bumper cavity.

            f.  Check the tailgate (if applicable), including—

                 (1)  An unusually heavy tailgate.

                 (2)  Fresh paint or body filler.

                 (3)  Inconsistent or nonhollow sounds when tapped.

           g.  Check the pickup bed (if applicable), including—

                 (1)  Inconsistent or nonhollow sounds when tapped.

                 (2)  Fresh paint or body filler.

                 (3)  An unusually thick floor.

                 (4)  Unusual welds and/or seams.

                 (5)  Any caulking.

           h.  Check the cargo area (if applicable), including—

                 (1)  Fresh paint or body filler.

                 (2)  Inconsistent or nonhollow sounds when tapped.

                 (3)  An unusually thick floor.

                 (4)  A false ceiling.

                 (5)  Any caulk and/or glue.

                 (6)  Any strange smell.

   7.  Search the engine compartment.

           a.  Look for a large battery box or extra battery.

           b.  Look for odd and/or clean wires.

           c.  Look for larger components (air cleaner and fan blade shrouds).

WARNING: NEVER PLACE YOUR HANDS IN THE VICINITY OF THE FAN BLADES WHILE CONDUCTING THE SEARCH. SOME VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC COOLING SYSTEM THAT MAY CAUSE THE FAN BLADES TO START OPERATING AFTER THE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION.

           d.  Identify any unusual odor indicating that containers that may contain fuel.

           e.  Look for foreign objects in the air filter cavity.

            f.  Look for the cold air filter.

           g.  Look for freshly painted areas, new welds, shiny bolts, or sheet metal work on firewalls.

           h.  Check for a clean engine in a dirty car.

            i.  Check the hood to see if it feels heavy when opened and closed. Have the driver open the hood, but move the hood up and down yourself.

            j.  Look for a false wall or modified fender compartment.

           k.  Identify any clean or wiped areas.

   8.  Search the trunk compartment, if applicable.

           a.  Check for a new trunk mat and/or carpet.

           b.  Check for caulk, glue, or any other strange smells.

           c.  Check the trunk lid to see if it feels heavy when opened and closed.

           d.  Look for a raised floor.

           e.  Identify any strange odors from the spare tire.

            f.  Listen for nonhollow or inconsistent sounds in the walls.

           g.  Look for an unusual space between the back seat and trunk wall.

           h.  Look to see if the spare tire is not flush with the floor.

   9.  Search the interior of the vehicle.

           a.  Search the dash, including—

                 (1)  Electrical components. See if the components function or if the light emitting diode (LED) is on when the vehicle power is off.

                 (2)  New, damaged, or scratched screws.

                 (3)  Plugged air vents.

                 (4)  Broken or missing blowers.

           b.  Look for a false compartment in the glove box.

           c.  Look for unusual lumps or bulges in the front and/or rear seats.

           d.  Feel for rigid front and/or rear seats.

           e.  Look for a false or modified ceiling.

            f.  Look for an unusually thick floor.

           g.  Look for stress cracks in the windshield (no stone impact mark).

  10.  Take action when the search reveals suspected explosive devices or prohibited items in the vehicle.

           a.  Explosive devices.

                 (1)  Never attempt to handle or disarm suspected explosive devices.

                 (2)  Suspend all radio and cellular phone traffic, 100 meters around the vehicle.

                 (3)  Secure the driver and all occupants of the vehicle, and notify the supervisor and military police.

                 (4)  Immediately evacuate the surrounding area.

                 (5)  Secure the scene until it is cleared by explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel or until properly relieved.

                 (6)  Release the driver and occupants to the supervisor or military police along with any documentation and identification collected.

           b.  Prohibited items.

                 (1)  Never handle the prohibited items unless ordered by the supervisor or military police.

                 (2)  Notify the supervisor and military police.

                 (3)  Secure the driver and all occupants of the vehicle.

                 (4)  Secure the scene until it is cleared by the supervisor or until properly relieved.

                 (5)  Release the driver and occupants to the supervisor or military police along with any documentation and identification collected.

  11.  Release the driver and occupants if no explosive devices or prohibited items are found or if suspected items are cleared by the military police or EOD personnel.

           a.  Give ID cards and all gathered documentation back to the driver.

           b.  Help the driver safely enter the flow of traffic (if applicable).

   1.  Stopped the vehicle by using hand-and-arm signals.

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   2.  Directed the driver to turn the engine off and apply the parking brake.

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   3.  Interviewed the driver and vehicle occupants.

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   4.  Directed the occupants to exit the vehicle.

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   5.  Searched the undercarriage of the vehicle.

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   6.  Searched the exterior of the vehicle.

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   7.  Searched the engine compartment.

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   8.  Searched the trunk compartment, if applicable.

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   9.  Searched the interior of the vehicle.

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  10.  Took action when the search revealed suspected explosive devices or prohibited items in the vehicle.

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  11.  Released the driver and occupants if no explosive devices or prohibited items were found or if suspected items were cleared by the military police or EOD personnel.

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AR 190-13

AR 525-13