Start with the police and emergency catalogue, or browse all picture cars and filter by decade. A vehicle's era, livery and role matter as much as its model. These are filming and prop vehicles. For other specialist vehicles, see action vehicle hire UK.
Send a brief with the story year, the force area, the shoot location and whether the car is marked, unmarked, driven or parked. We come back with a shortlist, usually within forty-eight hours.
Police cars by era
Marked, unmarked and replica liveries
Tell us the story's year, country and force area, whether the car should be marked or unmarked, and any replica livery or equipment the shot needs. Include reference images and say whether the vehicle moves, carries cast or stays parked.
These are filming and prop vehicles, not a supply of genuine serving police vehicles. Exact appearance and availability are confirmed with the owner. One brief can cover TV picture cars and background vehicles as well.
Rules on public roads
Our guide to filming with police cars and uniforms in the UK sets out the source guidance. Section 90 of the Police Act 1996 addresses police impersonation and deceptive use of uniforms in England and Wales. Regulation 16 of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 restricts blue warning beacons and devices resembling them, whether working or not.
In London, except the City of London which has its own police, consult the Met Police Film Unit in advance. Its protocols say filming with replica police vehicles on public roads will not be approved without Mobile Police Support. In transit, tape over POLICE graphics, cover light bars and beacons, use no sirens or tones, and keep the driver out of police uniform. Consider transport on a low loader.
Outside London, contact the local police force and local authority's film office before the shoot. This is not legal advice; check with the film office and relevant police force. See also picture car hire in London.
Ambulances and fire engines
The catalogue includes an American ambulance and Land Rover fire engines. Tell us what appears in shot and whether your scene needs more than one kind of emergency vehicle.
American police cars
For US-set scenes, browse these catalogue cruisers and our American car hire for film guide. Check each listing's details and include the intended livery in your brief.
Cars from the catalogue
More real police and emergency vehicles from the catalogue. Every listing can be briefed; availability is confirmed when you send your requirements.
Browse by make: Ford · Dodge · Vauxhall · Chevrolet · Land Rover · Austin · BMW · Rover
Browse by decade: 1960s · 1970s · 1980s · 1990s · 2000s · 2010s · 2020s
Insurance, drivers and plates
Once a car is chosen, the production arranges picture-car insurance naming the owner. Who drives depends on the vehicle, the owner and that insurance, and is confirmed before the shoot. Many owners drive or attend with the car.
On a public road a picture car should carry its own legal plates. Covering, replacing or changing a plate for the camera needs the owner's agreement, and police livery has extra rules set out above. Read number plates for filming in the UK and picture car insurance explained.
How to brief
Send a brief with the scene, year, force area, shoot dates, location, vehicle numbers and planned use. Tell us who will drive and whether filming takes place on public roads. We search for options and confirm the exact vehicle with its owner.
Once a car is chosen, the production arranges picture-car insurance naming the owner. Every job is quoted individually. Booking locks the date, call time and on-set rules.
Why CarSeen
- 2,500+ cars in the catalogue
- Based in Shoreditch, London, sourcing from owners across the UK
- Our team have worked with productions for film, TV and advertising — see our credits
- How we protect owners: owner-submitted listings use the owner's own photos with plates covered, and never show names, addresses or registrations
FAQ
Can police cars be driven on public roads during a shoot?
It needs advance planning. In London, the Met Police Film Unit must be consulted before filming with replica police vehicles on public roads, and such filming will not be approved without Mobile Police Support. Check the requirements with the relevant police force and film office; this is not legal advice.
Do I need to tell the police?
In London, consult the Met Police Film Unit in advance about replica police vehicles or police uniforms. The City of London has its own police. Outside London, contact the local police force and local authority's film office before the shoot.
Do you have period police cars?
The catalogue includes period panda cars and later police lookalikes. Browse the vehicles by era, then tell us the year and force area your story is set in so we can search for appropriate options.
Can you supply unmarked cars?
Tell us the model, period and intended appearance in your brief. We will search the catalogue and owners and talk through the options; availability and the exact vehicle are confirmed before booking.
Can you supply several matching cars?
We search the catalogue and owners for a match and tell you how close the options are. Several matching cars are not guaranteed; include the number, model, colour, livery and dates in your brief.
How fast can you shortlist?
We come back with a shortlist, usually within forty-eight hours. Tell us your shoot dates in the brief and we will be straight with you about what is possible.
What does the scene need?