Being stopped by Police in Melbourne, Australia

[bronwyneve]

I had a close call a month ago with a Police Booze / Drug Bus, which is fairly big operation where all traffic is stopped on the road and breathalysed for alcohol and drugs. I am barely passable however I do make an effort and do go out in public. I was driving home from a night out in the city (Melbourne), an hours drive from my hometown. I diverted off the hi way to do some midnight window shopping. Coming in to town off the overpass , my heart stopped as I saw the Booze Buses, Police and Police Vehicles everywhere, the road blocked, lit up with stadium flood lights. I slowed my car ready to stop. Turns out the Bus was setting up. Whew, I rolled though the stop. I returned home and explained the close call to my wife. She was concerned. I explained that it is not illegal for me to explore my more feminine side in public and that I am at a point where I don't care what people think. I frequently venture out fully dressed over the winter months, my wife does not want to know where I go or what I do as long as I am safe and don't mess around.

As fate would have it, turns out last Friday night was my lucky night. As per above. 11.30pm freezing cold. Fully dressed to impress, with make up done to the best of my ability, the Booze Bus Operation spread out on the road way ahead. All traffic ahead gets waved into the the testing site. I think f*** it, I take a deep breath, calm and collected, I hope that I don't get a male officer testing me. Hope that I don't get asked for my license, knowing that I never carry it with me. I decide if to use my male or female voice. I roll to a stop for one of the awaiting officers, I wind my tinted window down. I could tell by her momentary pause she was surprised, this "lady" is definitely on something. She was hoping as much as I was that a positive result was not returned, I replied that I had not been drinking, I casually blow into into device, leaving a heavy coating of deep red lipstick on the straw. The officer had trouble keeping eye contact - looking into down into my car checking out what I was wearing. Eye contact still not made by the officer, clearly uncomfortable. "Negative" alcohol result. I slowly depart without having to give a saliva sample for drugs. The urge to window shop passes. I returning to the highway, I head home. My wife awakes, relieved that I am home, "how was your night", I reply "you will never guess what happened".

[Aunt Kelly]

A perfectly cooperative subject and a fully professional LEO. I'd be surprised if it had turned out other than it did. BTW, the roving eyes were looking for threats.
You did great.

[biancabellelover]

Hi Bronwyn,

While still new to this, I think that we overthink things a little. I'm also from Melbourne, and I think that VICPOL do a pretty decent job. I'm friends with plenty of coppers and ex-coppers. While most of them would have an opinion, the chances of them making fun of you or otherwise being unpleasant would be pretty small.

And at a booze bus, the police WANT to have a quiet, boring, time of things. If the booze bus was in St.Kilda, chances are she wouldn't have even batted an eye, LOL!

Just my 2c, and from someone who's yet to go out fully dressed.

Michelle.

[Rachelakld]

ALWAYS carry your license.
The cops there are worried about drink driving, speed etc, they won't care if your up at the Cuckoo restaurant in the Dandenongs, which have wonderful owners ( and I highly recommend visiting) doing a cross dressing themed party, or just being a lady driving home from church.

[Beverley Sims]

Dealing with transgender persons is on the training list at the moment, they are trying to catch up with the U.S.

There is a law in some states they can use to get you.

CARRYING ARTICLES OF DISGUISE.

I believe it was used a lot in the Nineteen sixties.

In Victoria you can drive your horse and cart down Elizabeth St as long as you are carrying a bucket and spade for the droppings, and don't take a corner at more than 10 mph within ten miles of the G.P.O. General post office for those that don't know. :-)

I don't think they have rewritten the law to include the metric system.

[Jane G]

Some quaint laws still active in Australia then.:heehee: Nice one brownyneve another life lesson in he memory bank.

[faltenrock]

That happened to me a few times. I learned just to keep cool, behave like a normal regular person. I don't change anything in behaviour. The police never asked any question, only looked at me and my drivers license and passport - that's it.
I'm pretty experienced beeing out dressed, if they would ask any question I would go ahead and explain who I am. That works fine.

[Helen_Highwater]

Bronwyn

I'm UK based and have been stopped twice for routine checks by the old bill, both late at night. This was back in the days (20 plus years ago) when my ability to dress was severely limited by the lack of clothes that fitted me properly. Utterly utterly unconvincing, badly dressed man.

That said, no drama's. Treated professionally and sent on my way. Fast forward to more recent times and now, still read, but I've walked passed coppers out on the streets and they don't bat an eyelid.

Folks often over think things. As long as you're doing nothing wrong, and CD'ing isn't, you're going to be just fine.

One final point. Your tale is a big example as to why Dutch courage is a bad bad idea for those heading out on early CD'ing adventures. Stone cold sobber keeps you on the right side of trouble.

[Vickie_CDTV]

Why would you not carry your license? I can't speak for Australia, but in the US you'd get far, far more grief for that than just being crossdressed.

Use your "real" voice, don't lie about your gender etc. if asked.

[Jaylyn]

I got some relatives in Australia and they are always talking about the drinking problem in Australia and say the drug problem is growing rapidly. My suggestion is always be truthful with the officers stopping you and do keep your license with you. I would think more questions would asked about the license than why you are dressed.

[Jodie_Lynn]

Just a caveat:
Always, always carry your identification!
Legally, if you cannot prove your identity, you can be detained until the Officers can verify your identity. That could mean a trip to the local precinct, in handcuffs, if that's what is required to identify you. And you really don't want to be tossed into a holding cell in your feminine finery, do you?

[biancabellelover]

If you're under 26 in Victoria you're required to carry your driving licence when driving. If you're over 26 (and don't have any driving restrictions) all you need to be able to do is prove your identity, so it's not required. Having said that, the simplest way of proving your identity is to show your driving licence. If you can't prove your identity, you can be asked to present yourself to a police station with your driving licence within seven days.

Also in Vic, the police are pretty well connected I.T. wise. If they pull you over, by the time they get out and talk to you, they'll have all your driving history, criminal history, vehicle history, all from your number plate (assuming you own the car).

Michelle

[Stacy Darling]

No licence Bron? Whaat?
We should have it on a mobile app by next year so at least take a phone when out, even down there.

Don't worry about the cops either! They have more things to worry about than us! The AFL etc...

Stacy!

[Alice B]

I posted this once before. Fully dressed and on my way to a CD friendly bar. Stopped at sobriety check point and male officer looks up and down at me and asks if I have been drinling. I reply "not yet". He laughs and says be careful and waves me on

[Angela Marie]

I always worry about getting stopped. I can't say with certainty but i'm sure your required to carry your drivers license. In any event there is no good reason not to. I don't know how it is in Aus. or NZ or other foreign countries but in New York State most police officers will treat you with courtesy and respect as long as its reciprocated. Are there exceptions? Of course. But as another poster pointed out they have more important things to worry about.

[alwayshave]

Bronwyn, I always carry my license. Now in male mode, while walking in the city I have refused to give it, but when driving there is no excuse.

[PantyBoots]

I can't stand these sobriety checkpoints. My friend got unfairly detained by one in the mid-90's. In this video, these people have the right idea in dealing with this gestapo crap:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOF4Zp2RzkQ&t=65s

[kimdl93]

I never worry about being stopped while dressed. Why? Because I make it a point to never drive under the influence. I drink alcohol free beer or club soda, and drive secure in the knowledge that my blood ach. level is 0.0

This takes a bit of self discipline, but the reward is peace of mind. And yes I always carry my male ID. I haven't any illusions about passing.

[Jodie_Lynn]

I always carry my proper ID, in my purse.
I NEVER drink & drive so no worries there.

I was stopped by the Police once, and it was a very positive experience. The Officer was very professional, and didn't bat an eye when confronted by a crossdresser.

- - - Updated - - -


I can't stand these sobriety checkpoints. My friend got unfairly detained by one in the mid-90's. In this video, these people have the right idea in dealing with this gestapo crap:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOF4Zp2RzkQ&t=65s

Unfortunately, there are enough arsehats out there to make DUI checkpoints a necessary evil. At least in the U.S.
You say your friend was 'unfairly' detained. I am curious to what you mean.

[Michaelasfun]

I try to toe the line when out dressed and driving; no speeding, drinking, make sure lights all work, signal when necessary; drive like you’re trying to pass your drivers test!

[DaisyLawrence]

Michaelasfun, I'm pretty sure that is how you are supposed to drive all the time. I feel for the good folks of Seattle when you are driving as a guy :)

[Teresa]

Bronwyne,
They've seen it all before I'm sure it wasn't a problem , as you say it was pretty cold and no doubt they were not happy bunnies that late at night .

The golden rule is don't dress , drink and drive I certainly wouldn't have risked it while I was living with my wife and I don't intend to push my luck now . This always raises the question of what exactly a unit is , how many bar tenders know or even care what each drink contains .

[Sandra_Dodds]

Going for a drive is one of the few opportunities I get to be dressed outside the house and being stopped or being involved in an accident is always in the back of my mind. I bevr fail to carry my licence because not having it can incur a fine but being cross-dressed doesn't. [Unless it's the fashion police 😁]

[PantyBoots]

Unfortunately, there are enough arsehats out there to make DUI checkpoints a necessary evil. At least in the U.S.
You say your friend was 'unfairly' detained. I am curious to what you mean.

He wasn't over the BAC limit, and I think he passed the walking in a straight line test.

And, I think that the people that get DUI's despite not hurting anyone seem to far outnumber the a**hats today.

Here is a good resource that people need to check out: https://www.motorists.org/issues/dui/

[Stacey-J]

When dealing with vicpol (or police in general) on the road; Be polite, respectful and answer all appropriate questions. As long as you're not intoxicated and/or driving like an idiot you will be fine. Saliva drug testing is expensive and time consuming so it's usually reserved for target areas or people who are quite obviously off their head, so the likely hood of them drug testing you is minimal even at the booze bus testing sites. However there are certain things that will always draw attention/ire of the police, like driving a large cammed, open pipe street machine won't do you any favours (can confirm, getting out to open the bonnet while looking pretty can be an interesting experience).

Also if you're currently living in Victoria, be prepared to get breath tested a lot more often. It's being ramped up due to vicpol faking of all those tests for the past 5 years.

[Asew]

If you are driving, there is no reason you can't just throw your wallet in a cup holder or compartment in the car. Even if you plan to get out, just bring your license and put it out of sight in the car. This is what I do when I go running since I don't want to carry my ID on me when running.

[Melanie Therese]

You should always have your license and as someone said Vic have to catch up on huge numbers as they were caught out.

I'm in NSW and have a few friends that are cops. From everything else they see a CD wouldn't even rate as a story they would tell.

[StarrOfDelite]

I have no idea what is going on in Oz, so this is unresponsive to the OP. However, for Americans reading the thread, I'm pretty sure that, even before the nationwide crackdown on identity theft, all vehicle operators have been required by local state law to carry their drivers license upon their person when they are behind the wheel. Failure to have one's license is a misdemeanor violation, and might also result in a more serious charge, which is operating a motor vehicle without an operator's permit. Fortunately, by 2018 almost all American police cars are now connected to an online computer which verifies the ownership of the vehicle and can produce any individual's license upon the computer screen inside the police car. So, it's highly likely that you're not going to be hauled to the local police station if you can identify yourself, remember your social security number, remotely resemble the photo on your driver's license, and have a BAC not above .08%. The biggest worry about driving with a blood alcohol above the .08 mark is that the police will impound the vehicle and have it towed, and take the operator to jail until he/she can post bond. If you have sober passenger that should at least eliminate the impoundment and tow charges.

[Becky Blue]

Another Melbourne Girl here, I would agree with Kelly, the cop was looking for potential threats to her, they always do. I am fairly certain that the cop had seen a lot more unusual things than you.
On an interesting aside... I have bene driving in Melbourne for 25 years and have only been breathalyzed once.

[donnalee]

In the US, there is a constitutional presumption of innocence that these police roadblocks violate. They should have been abolished long ago.

[Pat]

If we've reached the point of debating the finer points of law, I think the topic has strayed well outside this forum's range of topics. This seems like a good time to close the thread.