We’ve all seen it in British crime dramas—the brooding detective cruising the countryside in their iconic personal car. Think of Inspector Morse’s classic Jaguar Mk II, DI Lynley’s stately blue Bentley (on TV he has a Jensen Interceptor Mk II and then a Bristol 410), or even Vera’s old Land Rover Defender rattling along Northumberland’s windswept roads.
It’s become a hallmark of the genre: the detective’s car is as much a part of their character as their sharp mind and troubled backstory. But here’s the thing—if you’re expecting real-life British detectives to be solving crimes in their own set of wheels, I’m afraid you’re in for a disappointment.
When I served as a police officer, I often wished I could turn up to scenes in my trusty Morris Minor. I mean, imagine the charm points! But alas, the reality of policing is far less glamorous—and much more practical.
The Truth About Police Cars
In the real world, British detectives don’t drive their own cars on duty. Instead, they use pool cars—unmarked vehicles shared among officers within the department. These cars are maintained by the force, insured appropriately, and some are fitted with covert blues and twos (that’s police-speak for lights and sirens, in case you’re wondering). Personal cars? Not a chance. Using your own car would be a logistical and legal nightmare, not to mention a safety risk. Imagine transporting sensitive evidence—or worse, suspects—in your family hatchback. It’s just not happening.
Even senior officers like Detective Chief Inspectors (DCIs) don’t have their own cars assigned to them. They’ll grab a pool car when they need one, just like everyone else.
The Blues and Twos Myth
Another common misconception in crime fiction is that any officer can flip on the sirens and speed through traffic like they’re auditioning for The Sweeney. In reality, not all police officers are trained to drive on blues and twos. You need specific emergency response driving training and a permit to do that.
It’s important to mention that forces across the country have their own policies regarding officers driving police cars. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) classifies drivers into Basic Driver, Response Driver, and Advanced Driver. I have tried to generalise and simplify some of the levels below:
Basic Driving: Officers at this level have to drive like you and me, following the Highway Code and not speeding. They are not allowed to pursue vehicles or use their blue lights or sirens except when stationary, e.g. protecting a scene.
Basic Plus: Officers at this level are permitted to pull over vehicles on the road using their lights, but they still must comply with the Highway Code. This means they are not permitted to pursue drivers failing to stop for them or go to an emergency at any speed greater than the legal limit for the road.
Standard Response: These officers are trained to drive safely at speeds exceeding the speed limit to respond to emergencies, with or without blues and twos.
Advanced: These officers are standard response drivers, but with extra training to pursue vehicles and perform complex forced stop manoeuvres. They will often drive more powerful vehicles.
As I said, this is a generalised and simplified breakdown of police driving.
So, those heart-pounding car chases we see on TV? In reality, they’re reserved for specially trained officers—and there are a lot more rules involved than fiction would have you believe.
Cars of Fictional Detectives – Do Writers Get It Wrong?
Detectives driving their own classic vehicles may not be accurate, but it’s something we all love. It’s about character. A detective’s car becomes an extension of their personality. Morse’s Jaguar isn’t just a car—it’s a symbol of his old-school charm and love of the finer things in life. Vera’s Land Rover reflects her rugged, no-nonsense approach to solving crimes. It’s an easy way to give a character depth without needing to say much. These character extensions go to prove that Colin Dexter and Ann Cleeves are incredibly creative and talented authors.
Keeping It Real (And Entertaining)
When I write my crime fiction, I aim to balance realism with storytelling. My protagonist in the Chichester Crime Mysteries, DCI Beniamin Dinescu, doesn’t drive around in a flashy car—he grabs a pool car like any other detective. He often opts for a particularly boring silver Ford Focus. He drives it because no one else wants to, which means he can keep it clean from food wrappers and other rubbish that can accumulate from use on shift. But that doesn’t make his cases any less gripping. In fact, grounding the story in real police procedures adds authenticity and makes the twists and turns all the more believable.
That’s not to say there isn’t room for a bit of creative licence. Fiction is, after all, about telling a compelling story. But if you’re writing police procedurals and want to keep things accurate, maybe think twice before giving your detective a flashy set of wheels. Unless, of course, they’re off duty—in which case, bring on the Morris Minor! (Or whatever takes your fancy.)
So, next time you see a TV detective roaring off in their own car, spare a thought for the real officers out there—those who have undergone many hours of intense training to keep our roads safe, or the detectives quietly grabbing the keys to a shared pool car and getting on with the job. It might not be as glamorous, but it’s just as important—and, in its own way, just as fascinating.
