"especially in rural areas or smaller towns—where officers preferred physical cards and weren't thrilled about PDFs on phones."
Yeah, that's been my experience too. Last summer, I was cruising through rural South Dakota in my old Mustang when I got pulled over for a busted taillight. Officer wasn't rude or anything, but he definitely raised an eyebrow at my phone screen. Ended up digging through the glovebox for the paper copy anyway. Digital might be convenient, but sometimes old-school just saves you hassle...
Same here, honestly. I've noticed some rural officers seem skeptical about digital stuff—maybe they're worried about fakes or something? I keep both versions handy now, just to avoid the awkwardness... better safe than sorry.
I've noticed the same thing, actually. A couple years back, I showed a digital insurance card to an officer near Aberdeen, and he looked at me like I'd handed him a coupon for free ice cream or something... polite but clearly skeptical. Can't really blame them though—tech glitches happen, and paper feels more reliable. I still prefer digital myself, but yeah, keeping both handy is probably the smartest move for now.
"Can't really blame them though—tech glitches happen, and paper feels more reliable."
- Totally get the skepticism. I've had my share of tech fails too, especially when it counts (like at traffic stops... because of course).
- Personally, I prefer digital—mostly because I'm terrible at keeping track of paperwork. But I've learned the hard way that relying solely on my phone isn't always the smartest move.
- Last summer, got pulled over near Rapid City, and naturally, my phone decided to freeze EXACTLY when the officer asked for proof of insurance. Awkward doesn't even begin to describe it.
- Since then, I reluctantly keep a paper copy tucked in my glovebox as backup. Feels old-school, but hey... better safe than sorry, right?
- Bottom line: Digital's great when it works, but South Dakota seems like one of those states where having both handy is still your best bet.
- Yeah, digital's convenient until it isn't. Had a similar thing happen to me in Sioux Falls—phone battery died right when I needed proof of insurance. Officer was cool about it, but lesson learned. Now I print out a copy every renewal and stash it in the glovebox. Feels outdated, but beats risking a ticket or fine over something so simple.
