The automobile exception (also called the motor vehicle exception) is an exception to the Fourth Amendment’s general rule mandating law enforcement obtain a search warrant in order to search a person’s property. Under this exception, a person’s vehicle may be searched without a warrant when suspected contraband is readily mobile and it is not reasonable to take the time to obtain a warrant as the contraband could be taken away due to its mobility. This exception allows law enforcement to search a motor vehicle if the officer has probable cause to believe the vehicle contains contraband. But, this does not entirely override the Fourth Amendment. In most cases, a law enforcement officer can only search a motor vehicle pursuant to the automobile exception if the driver was pulled over for a reasonable traffic stop. Law enforcement cannot simply pull over vehicles for no reason other than a hope that they develop probable cause that the vehicle contains contraband.