How much time can a police officer stop a motorist for a traffic violation?

Moreover, while a police officer may stop a motorist for a traffic violation, the detention cannot be prolonged beyond the time period necessary to address the violation. (People v. McGaughran (1979) 25 Cal.3d 577, 584, 159 Cal.Rptr. 191, 601 P.2d 207.) There is no hard-and-fast limit as to the amount of time that is reasonable; rather, it depends on the circumstances of each case. (Williams v. Superior Court (1985) 168 Cal.App.3d 349, 358, 213 Cal.Rptr. 919.)