During a protective vehicle search, officers may search for:

During a protective vehicle search, the focus is primarily on safety and security. Officers are specifically trained to look for weapons or potential weapons as a part of their duty to ensure the safety of themselves and others. The rationale behind this emphasis is that officers need to neutralize any immediate threats that could arise from such dangerous items being present in the vehicle.

While other items, such as illegal substances or documents related to the vehicle's ownership, may also be relevant in certain circumstances, the core objective during a protective search is to mitigate threats that could arise from weapons. This focused approach assists in maintaining officer safety, as well as the safety of bystanders. Thus, the emphasis on searching for weapons or potential weapons is a critical component of the procedure involved in protective vehicle searches.