The tricks you need to know to spot a camouflaged Civil Guard vehicle at first glance.

The Traffic Police is the institution that controls and monitors intercity roads under the jurisdiction of the General Directorate of Traffic . It also has the authority to fine road users who commit traffic violations , such as speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, or failing to obey traffic signs, among others.

For this task, the Traffic Group of the armed institute has just over 10,000 officers and more than 4,000 vehicles , including those in disguise, which play a key role in detecting violations on the road that are difficult to identify .

How to recognize a camouflaged car?

The first trick is that these vehicles don't usually have the advertising license plate holder , also known as a "bib," thus distinguishing them from private cars. Secondly, license plates sometimes bear the letters PGC (Parque Guardia Civil).

Furthermore, these vehicles almost always have tinted rear windows and carry bulky objects inside their cabins that correspond to the mobile radar. They may also have additional antennas to establish communication with the control center. Finally, these vehicles' road behavior is generally discreet, meaning they do not make sudden maneuvers and respect the speed limits, even driving below them.

Main camouflaged vehicles of the Civil Guard

Nowadays, it is common to see Benemérita agents in ordinary or common cars, some of which are the SEAT Exeo, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, the Citroën C4 and C5 , the Opel Insignia, the Renault Laguna or the Ford Mondeo.

As for vans, the most common models are the Renault Master, the Fiat Scudo, the Mercedes Sprinter, the Ford Transit , as well as the Citroën Berlingo . These vehicles are usually white, black, or blue. Finally, the motorcycles used in secret are the Honda ST1300, the BMW R1150 RT, and the BMW R1200 RT, both of which are gray.

When did these unmarked vehicles become more prevalent on the roads?

For example, in the case of unmarked motorcycles, since last May they have increased their surveillance on the roads most frequented by motorcyclists on weekends with the aim of reducing the number of fatalities.

Above all, the Civil Guard focuses on controlling overtaking , helmet use, and ensuring that motorcyclists do not commit other types of violations of DGT regulations.