How to spot private speed camera cars in 2026

Tired of racking up speeding fines?

If you have ever been caught out by a flash despite believing you knew the locations of every fixed speed camera on your route by heart, you may have come across a speed camera car - unless it was a Vélolaser or a Parifex Nano. Operated by private companies, these unobtrusive vehicles, fitted with an automated speed-enforcement system, have been travelling across France since 2013.

While some are driven by public-sector officers, most have been entrusted to private firms since 2018, and their methods are sometimes criticised. As reported by Capital, a former driver recently raised concerns about the poor condition of speed camera cars and the offences allegedly committed by colleagues, including running red lights and making dangerous overtakes. These actions nevertheless conflict with the requirements laid down by French Road Safety authorities.

Unmarked speed camera cars

Speed camera cars are, first and foremost, unmarked: they display no external identifying features. Spotting one therefore means paying close attention to the details. On the dashboard, you may notice a black unit housing the speed-measuring equipment. It can be seen from in front of the vehicle and, where the rear window is not tinted, from behind as well. You may also be able to make out the two small cameras mounted on the windscreen, which record offences. Their LEDs shine in the dark.

The 12 vehicles most often used as private speed camera cars

Le Journal du Geek has listed the 12 models most commonly used as private speed camera cars in 2026:

• Renault Captur
• Citroën C5 Aircross
• Dacia Sandero
• Dacia Duster
• Peugeot 308
• Peugeot 508
• Ford Focus
• Ford Mondeo
• Volkswagen Golf
• Volkswagen Passat
• Seat Leon
• Skoda Octavia

Dexter: a new generation of French speed camera cars

As a reminder, we told you last year about the French State initiative known as Dexter. This is a new generation of speed camera cars that travel discreetly on roads across mainland France. Managed by private companies, these vehicles use infrared speed cameras able to trigger without producing a visible flash. As a result, they are almost impossible for motorists to detect.

Over the past five years, their deployment has expanded to nearly every region, except Île-de-France and Corsica. We hope this information proves useful. In any event, drivers should always observe speed limits and travel calmly, whether commuting to work or setting off on holiday.