What are officers allowed to do during searches of vehicles incident to custodial arrest?

During searches of vehicles incident to custodial arrest, officers are allowed to conduct a warrantless search of the vehicle's passenger compartment. This is based on legal precedents that allow law enforcement officers to ensure their safety and to preserve evidence while making an arrest. The rationale is that when a person is taken into custody, officers can access the areas within that individual’s control to prevent the destruction of evidence or ensure that the individual does not have access to any potential weapons.

The other options do not align with legal standards for searches in this context. For instance, limiting the search to only the driver’s personal belongings would not allow for a comprehensive examination essential to officer safety and evidence preservation. Searching the trunk would require consent or probable cause, which does not fit the protocol for vehicle searches incident to arrest. Additionally, performing a search only upon suspicion of concealed illegal items undermines the broader scope granted to officers during a lawful custodial arrest, as it does not take into account the immediate need to secure the environment for safety and evidence protection.