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Unmarked police cars have been used as a sneaky means to catch people breaking traffic laws since the dawn of the Highway Patrol in Australia.
Often mistakenly called 'undercover' cars, unmarked cars differ from that term in the way they are used for traffic enforcement with equipment such as radar/LiDAR speed detection, pursuit performance ability, and more lights.
However, undercover cars are often driven by plainclothes officers and used for covert operations that do not need speed enforcement and number plate scanners aboard.
We have covered how to spot these cars in a previous story here, and if you know what you are looking for, then they can be quite easy to spot.
With plenty on the road, Drive has uncovered a new trend that makes these unmarked Highway Patrol vehicles much harder to spot in 2026.
New unmarked Highway Patrol vehicles
NSW Highway Patrol frequently opt for a luxury BMW 5 Series, but, up until recently, were usually equipped with the standard yellow plates.
This made unmarked cars easy to spot, with private customers frequently opting for at least the slim-line white and black plates, if not a premium option.
However, unmarked police cars around Sydney have recently been seen sporting the European-style premium number plates.
The new plates have been spotted starting with an A or an N, just like plates available for regular customers. This means you’ll need to keep a sharper eye out to play 'spot the unmarked patrol car'.
Furthermore, these cars have been spotted using a stumpy and short antenna at the front of the car around city areas, whereas older examples use a very obvious large one mounted to the rear.
The BMW 5 Series, in both its wagon and sedan forms, is fast becoming the most popular among unmarked vehicles in New South Wales, with the BMW X5 close behind. They’re not just the base-model white anymore, either, often sporting grey, blue or silver gloss paint.
The Chrysler 300 SRT is still in use around some areas, although it's becoming a fast-aging part of the fleet, with the model last being on sale in Australia circa 2021.
Other less common options are the Kia Stinger, BMW M3, Subaru WRX, Isuzu D-Max, Isuzu MU-X, Ford Everest, Toyota LandCruiser/Prado 200 Series, 70 Series and HiLux.
Even though number plate scanners, radar, LiDAR and other speed-enforcement equipment are becoming more compact and less noticeable, the biggest giveaway is a cluttered dash and small squares for the flashing lights within the front and rear windshields.
Still, the best way to avoid a fine is by obeying all road rules and keeping a close eye on your speedometer.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
